The Lord declares: ‘Those who honor me I will honor,
and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1)
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I have a friend who tells me he is a Christian. He worships regularly and serves in the church. Yet, he routinely speaks flippantly about God and His ways.
I like this individual, but his careless dishonoring of God in the name of humor bothers me.
Perhaps I am too sensitive, on the defensive for God because Christians are under constant attack in our culture.
Should I bear his humor quietly, letting my silence and refusal to respond sink in and make a clear statement, or should I tell him that his words offend me?
I doubt this friend sees his speech as being dishonorable to God.
Common counsel is to never question another’s intentions. I do not believe my friend wants to dishonor God, but he is. I fear his goal is either to impress others or to stir up a fight at which he will take offense at my sensitivity for God.
While I am uncomfortable with my decision, I have chosen silence because I do not wish to create a stir.
I’d like to say that my silence is a deliberate attempt to be faithful to scripture.
He was oppressed, and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. (2)
Blessed are the meek. (3)
Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake. (4)
If my friend’s words were not dishonoring my Lord, my silence would feel golden.
Lord, what do you want me to do?
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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Samuel 2:30.
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Isaiah 53:7.
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Matthew 5:5.
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Matthew 5:10.
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 
I was in a class that was supposed to be on Leading Prayer. The instructor decided to make the class on Spiritual Warfare. I was ok until he got untheologically sound. I was quiet during the class but expressed my concern in my evaluation. There were others who felt the way I did but some thought it was an excellent class. I am troubled by this but feel it would not have accomplishe any thing to speak out in class.
I would want to know in a nice way that I was offending God. I might consider it a hard way to learn at first but would want to correct my thoughts and words.
Becky, I am with you. Unfortunately, there are some people who take pride in offending God.