How to respond to offensive comments
I've done this poorly. I'm still learning. But God helped me this week.
I recently posted a video on Instagram talking about the reality of spiritual warfare...
Ironically, it's the most viewed and engaged video I've ever made…in part…because so many people were upset that I said "God" or "I hear from God" or "spiritual warfare"...
Some even said "spiritual warfare doesn't exist"...meanwhile, the nasty comments section shows all the evidence.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 6:12
But that’s not what I wanted to write about.
I wanted to write about this one comment…
Above is a screenshot from our public thread.
It would be easy to look at this comment and immediately be offended.
Are they speaking about “my” horrible existence? What do they mean? Why would they say that?
But a renewed mind (with the advantage of not having to respond immediately) can ask Holy Spirit for eyes to see it differently…
Before replying, Holy Spirit had me pause and realize this person’s comment may be a result of the same spiritual warfare I was talking about in my video…
So instead of being defensive (what my flesh wanted), I replied as if this person was actually seeing what I was seeing.
Then I learned we might have actually wrestled with some of the same things…
A reminder that the love of God is disarming.
I pray for more of that, Lord. For everyone reading.
The lesson: “Gracious words” really are like “honeycomb”.
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
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