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I grew up in the 80s when the video game “Pitfall” was popular. It was a game of adventure, following Pitfall Harry on his quest to retrieve as many treasures as possible while avoiding jungle hazards along the way. Today, I watch my grandkids play far more complicated video games, technically speaking, but the premise is still the same: avoid the pitfalls to reach the prize. Guarding against the pitfalls of offense is a real-life game that requires godly armor, scriptural guidance, and skillful maneuvers to avoid the enemy’s arrows.
Here are 4 biblical tactics to help you navigate the pitfalls of taking offense:
Avoid Sidetracks
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 says, “Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others” (NIV).
Whether we like to admit it or not, we all have a bit of double-mindedness when it comes to offense. We become deeply offended by what others say, forgetting that we’ve said (or thought) similar things.
Getting sidetracked by people’s opinions puts us in a landslide of offense. Going down rabbit holes of “he said, she said,” will only keep us trapped in combative thoughts and actions. Instead, keep your mind fixed on the Lord, remembering Isaiah’s words, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV).
Let’s stay the course by following Hebrews 12:1 which encourages us to throw off everything that hinders and run the race marked out for us.
Keep Away From Entanglements
2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”
Once we see offense as the enemy’s entanglement, we can unwind ourselves from the net of opposition and be on the lookout for possible pitfalls. Here are a few ways to avoid entanglement:
- Turn off social media and resist mindless scrolling.
- Limit your exposure to news headlines and political issues.
- Avoid controversial forums and platforms promoting division.
- Invest in Christ-honoring activities and interests.
Focus more on pleasing your Commanding Officer to avoid the entanglement of offense. Worldly issue appear surprisingly insignificant when you fix your eyes on Jesus.
Fend Off Arguments
Proverbs 18:19 says, “An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.”
Getting caught in arguments of blame, accusation, and fault-finding never solves the problem. It only exacerbates offense, pushing others further from God’s love and grace. To guard against this pitfall, here are a few things to consider:
- Stay focused on the issue at hand and resist digging up past mistakes.
- Find common ground and areas of interest to discuss.
- Avoid jumping to conclusions or making assumptions.
- Try to understand the other person’s perspective by asking thought-provoking questions with genuine interest.
Remember, relationships are more important than winning arguments. So, resist fruitless disputes and guard against pitfalls that fuel offense.
Do Armor Up!
Ephesians 6:10-11 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
God’s armor covers us from head to toe. Starting with the helmet of salvation protecting our thoughts and ending with the shoes of the gospel of peace enabling us to run, the Holy Spirit clothes us with His power, shielding us from the enemy’s divisive pitfalls.
Listen now to a short segment of this meditation from Abide based on Ephesians 6:10. Let God speak to your heart about putting on His armor.
I love how the Bible instructs us to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. It speaks of strength, solidarity, and steadfastness when fully clothed in the armor of God. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Behind His protective shield, you’ll avoid sidetracks, keep away from entanglements, fend off arguments and guard against the pitfalls of taking offense.
For more help on avoiding the pitfalls of offense, check out the Abide app, where our 1500+ biblical meditations all exist to help you experience the peace of Christ and grow in your relationship with Him. Use this link for 25% off a premium subscription, giving you access to all our content.
Jennifer Waddle is an author, speaker, and mentor for Christian women, and can be found at EncouragementMama.com, a place where discouragement doesn’t win!
