The Offense Epidemic
Ephesians 4:17–19 (NIV)
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
We’re living in an age where offense is the air we breathe. Turn on the news, scroll your feed, sit in a staff meeting or join a group text—everyone is offended about something. It’s not just politics and theology. It’s lawn care, parenting styles, tone of voice, emojis. We’ve become a culture addicted to outrage, and we’re paying for it in anxiety, division, and spiritual decay.
Paul’s words in Ephesians cut right through the noise: Don’t live like the world—trapped in the futility of their thinking. That word futility means empty, vain, without substance. When we let offense drive our thoughts, we slowly become disconnected from the life of God—not because He pulls away, but because we’re no longer thinking His way. Offense warps our perspective and hardens our hearts. It convinces us we’re justified while pushing us deeper into isolation.
This isn’t just a social issue—it’s a spiritual emergency. Offense is more than an emotional reaction; it’s a mindset. It’s a lens we look through that colors how we see God, people, and ourselves. And Paul’s challenge is simple: don’t think like that anymore. Don’t let the world disciple your thoughts. Let the Spirit renew your mind.
So what if we started today by repenting of the ways we’ve entertained offense? What if we stopped seeing it as a badge of honor and started seeing it as a barrier to grace?
Prayer:
Father, I confess that I’ve let offense into places it doesn’t belong. I’ve allowed the world’s mindset to shape my reactions and my thoughts. Today, I choose to take that thought captive. Renew my mind. Soften my heart. Let me think the way You think. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
We’re living in an age where offense is the air we breathe. Turn on the news, scroll your feed, sit in a staff meeting or join a group text—everyone is offended about something. It’s not just politics and theology. It’s lawn care, parenting styles, tone of voice, emojis. We’ve become a culture addicted to outrage, and we’re paying for it in anxiety, division, and spiritual decay.
Paul’s words in Ephesians cut right through the noise: Don’t live like the world—trapped in the futility of their thinking. That word futility means empty, vain, without substance. When we let offense drive our thoughts, we slowly become disconnected from the life of God—not because He pulls away, but because we’re no longer thinking His way. Offense warps our perspective and hardens our hearts. It convinces us we’re justified while pushing us deeper into isolation.
This isn’t just a social issue—it’s a spiritual emergency. Offense is more than an emotional reaction; it’s a mindset. It’s a lens we look through that colors how we see God, people, and ourselves. And Paul’s challenge is simple: don’t think like that anymore. Don’t let the world disciple your thoughts. Let the Spirit renew your mind.
So what if we started today by repenting of the ways we’ve entertained offense? What if we stopped seeing it as a badge of honor and started seeing it as a barrier to grace?
Prayer:
Father, I confess that I’ve let offense into places it doesn’t belong. I’ve allowed the world’s mindset to shape my reactions and my thoughts. Today, I choose to take that thought captive. Renew my mind. Soften my heart. Let me think the way You think. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Posted in churches in frisco
No Comments