“Unoffendable” Heart – Proverbs 19:11

A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

The concept of developing an “unoffendable” heart intrigues me.  Might it likewise intrigue you?

Listen; for the Holy Spirit witnesses to us about a heart with such devotion to the Lord and others that it takes no offence. Envision how delightful must be the place inhabited by those who remain fervent in love, overlooking provocation, covering the missteps of others.[1]

Though we may desire it, gaining a heart that takes no offense will not be easy.  Our baser nature will challenge us, requiring us to have a constancy of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[2]  If we are to ascend to such a lofty position where love controls us, we must surrender to the Spirit of God, who dwells within those who love and follow Jesus Christ.  When someone violates our rights, our flesh will stridently object, saying that loving others in spite of their ill-treatment of us is unreasonable. It will argue for satisfaction, attempting to drown out the Holy Spirit as He calls us to higher ground. It will ignore the Spirit’s instruction to refrain from lashing out in indignation over another’s transgression, thereby, bringing glory to God.[3] Our self-centeredness will fight vigorously, demanding revenge, retribution, and restitution, at the least an apology.

However, in God’s grace, love can rule over hatred and anger,[4] for He who indwells those who fix their eyes on Jesus is greater than the forces that war against His love.[5] By God’s wisdom, the heart devoted to overlooking a transgression will grow in understanding.  It will learn that while wisdom teaches us to settle matters quickly[6] and not to let the sun go down on our anger,[7] praiseworthy is a magnanimity that accepts others with all their foibles, seeing past their violations against us, and taking no offense. As the Spirit molds this yielded heart, it will see that refusing to enter into a quarrel is more desirable than trying to repair the levee after anger has broken through to release raging emotions.[8]

Desire such a heart.  Allow tenderheartedness and forgiveness to flow naturally from you just as they flow to you from Jesus Christ,[9] and rejoice, for your desire is achievable.  For our faithful Lord promises that as we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.[10]

[1] 1 Peter 4:8

[2] Galatians 5:22-23

[3] Proverbs 12:16

[4] 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

[5] 1 John 4:4

[6] Matthew 5:25

[7] Ephesians 4:26

[8] Proverbs 17:14

[9] Ephesians 4:32

[10] Psalm 37:4