Do Unto Others, part 2

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

Sometimes it seems as if everyone these days is looking for a way to feel offended. A friend recently told me she attended a work conference, where they spoke about “microaggressions.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term (I was), an microaggression is a slight, maybe even unconscious comment or action that indicates predjudice against a marginalized group.

Some examples I have heard are::

*f a woman decides to avoid getting into an elevator alone with a man of another race, she is a racist”

*If you count calories and exercise to maintain a healthy weight, you are guilty of “fat-shaming”

*Using the word “white” in hymns(to denote purity) is racist”

While there is nothing wrong with watching our speech and actions to avoid giving offense –this is certainly Biblical–the Bible also tells us to avoid being overly sensitive. We are to give others the benefit of the doubt. A woman may avoid being alone with any strange man because she is concerned for her safety; a person may count calories out of concern for her health, without any condemnation of others; the church members singing a traditional hymn are not imagining that “white” refers to the white race, but simply a color.

Being impatient and easily offended, leads to anger and division. We are to love our enemies, not make more of them. Instead we should:

^”Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:13-14