Five factors in overcoming and possibly preventing offense.
Proverbs 18:19 (NASB95) 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
1. If you don’t resolve it quickly you may find yourself in a worse situation.
Matthew 5:25 (NASB95) 25 Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
2. Restrain your words instead of expressing your opinion about everything.
I get it I have an opinion about everything and often blurt it out before being asked to express it. Start asking other people for their thoughts and opinions instead of always expressing yours.
3. Refuse to gossip and whisper.
When you gossip about other people who are not present, people realize you probably talk about them when they are not present.
Proverbs 18:8 (NASB95) 8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
4. Listen to both sides of a case before joining a side.
5. Stop an argument before it becomes an offense.
Proverbs 17:14 (NASB95) 14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Even little words spoken in haste and in anger can do great damage. Watch you words. Be careful what you say and how you say it.
Love you, Pastor Randy