My Offensive Ways

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This may be a tough verse, or it may be an easy verse for you. How many people have "offensive ways" and they don't even know it? I think most of us may fall in that category but either we don't know it or don't want to know it.

This is right where the psalmist is headed in this very well needed prayer for all of us. Think about it, God is all knowing, he knows your "offensive ways." If we ask him, he will reveal them for us.

But a word of caution should be given to those who pray this prayer. You might not like what God will reveal to you. You may have spent most of your life in the indoctrination of some tradition or ideology which is offensive by its very nature, and you don't even know it!

Pastor James (the half brother of Jesus) talked in his letter about double mindedness. Jesus called the Pharasies "brood of vipers." Why? These people thought they were dignified and saw no offense in their often suppresive actions.

Can I get real with you for a minute?
Have you asked God to make an inventory of your "offensive ways" lately? I have, and been shocked at what I've learned. I've been learning that in the name of "righteousness" I've concocted a maddening cocktail of hate, anger and insensitivity for others who don't particularly fit my view of the world.

Ask God to take inventory in your life and expose those "offensive ways" and you might be totally surprised at what you learn about yourself.

In the end, love triumphs over everything. Love is the essence of the way God works his miracles. Everything is driven from his Agape love. And soon you will find that your "offensive ways" don't mix well with his Love.

So ask God to search even the deepest darkest places of your soul. Ask Him to create in you a clean heart that knows nothing but his love. And you might be surprised when you wake up the next morning.