I believe it is human nature to want to see those who do wrong get their just punishment. Even as believers, we may want to chime in on what each wrongdoer’s punishment should look like. I watch a lot of true crime shows and I feel really good when I hear that a murderer is caught and even better when I hear that the sentence fits the crime. At times, we can let that mentality translate to those who have in some way offended us. We may want them to get what’s coming to them, so to speak. It is true that we worship a just God, but the Bible reminds us that it is not for us to judge and it is not for us to avenge. Those things are in God’s hands. Proverbs goes so far as to tell us that it is wisdom to overlook an offense. It says in Proverbs 19:11:
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
If we examine the life of Jesus, it is easy to see that he was extremely patient and able to overlook several offenses. He was patient with the woman who was about to be stoned for her adulterous acts when he didn’t have to be. And he forgave those who mocked him, even while he was on the cross! In as much as possible, we are to be like Jesus. Proverbs tells us that if we want to be wise, we need to be patient with others even to the point of overlooking an offense.
---
Proverbs tells us that, “a man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” If you stop and think about what has been forgiven us by our Lord and Savior, any offense by any human pales in comparison to how far we fall short of the glory of God. Though knowing this, it still may not be easy to forgive an offense. But that is what we are called to do. I don’t think we are being told that we are to be treated like a door mat, but we are to treat others the way we would want to be treated. And I would venture to guess that when you offend someone, either by mistake or knowing full well what you’re doing, you’d want that person to overlook it. So, I encourage you to do what Proverbs says. In as much as possible, overlook an offense.