{"id":876,"date":"2021-05-03T09:55:51","date_gmt":"2021-05-02T21:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/?p=876"},"modified":"2021-05-03T09:55:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-02T21:55:51","slug":"man-up-or-woman-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/2021\/05\/03\/man-up-or-woman-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Up or Woman Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

The below post was not an easy one to work on. I prayed about it and worked on it for a couple weeks. I’m\u00a0 just going to layout what God gave me. It has helped me and prayerfully it will help others as well.<\/p>\n

Here it goes.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about anyone else, but I am a bit tired of hearing in the news, at churches, at the schools, or just in daily living that someone got their feelings hurt and now they are offended. People are suing one another, losing jobs, losing friends everywhere just because they got \u201coffended\u201d by something some else said or did. Most of the time, the thing people are offended by, wasn\u2019t even something said or done to be malicious. It was just something said or done with no ill harm intended.<\/p>\n

Currently, there are way too many people, including Christians, who are not familiar with God\u2019s Word. They are weak in the knowledge of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

II Timothy 3:1 starts with \u201cThis know also, that in the last days\u2026\u201d<\/em> and 3:7 says people will be \u201cEver learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

People are studying politics, Facebook, Linked-In, Instagram, and other social media platforms instead their Bibles. Someday, if they are a child of God, they will be ashamed before God.<\/p>\n

II Timothy 2:15 \u201cStudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Nowhere in the Bible will someone find it is okay to be offended and get their way. The Word of God is supposed to tear us apart, rip down to the depths of our souls, prick our hearts and make us uncomfortable. In do so, it is showing us areas we need work in.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 4:12 \u201cFor the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

With God, there is no middle ground. During Bible times, people could not say, \u201cJesus, you\u2019ve offended me. You hurt my feelings.\u201d They could not expect Jesus to pay them retribution for hurting their feelings. In this present world, people can\u2019t say, \u201cGod\u2019s Word has offended me. I don\u2019t like what it says. It hurts my feelings.\u201d Hell is filled with people who got their feelings hurt but chose not to accept what the Lord did to cover their sins. There is no middle ground with God. There is heaven and hell. Nothing in between. It\u2019s simple.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at a good Bible example for this topic. The woman taken in the act of adultery in John 8:3. Today she would have a serious court case. Lawyers everywhere would be lining up to defend her for her public embarrassment. But, according to the Bible, she could not say, \u201cI\u2019m offended.\u201d Jesus told those who took her, \u201cthe offending parties,\u201d to examine their own lives and<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.\u201d<\/em> John 8:7. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then the story concludes with Jesus telling her, \u201cthe offendee,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cgo, and sin no more.\u201d<\/em> John 8:11<\/span><\/p>\n

At no point in time, was she allowed to say, \u201cI\u2019m offended.\u201d She had to \u201csuck it up and deal with it (her public embarrassment) and go on with life.\u201d She had to \u201cMan Up\u201d or in this case \u201cWoman Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

This worldly concept of \u201cyou\u2019ve offended me\u201d has crept into the churches. Some Pastors, Sunday school teachers and even church members are now unsure what to say to people anymore. Some people seem more sensitive than others and it is hard to know what to say to them because everyone is living in fear of \u201coffending\u201d someone.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at a few points about how not to be a person who gets offended.<\/p>\n

I. A parent\u2019s responsibility.<\/u><\/span><\/h5>\n

Parents have such a big responsibility on them now. More so than ever before. Children in public schools are being bombarded 8+ hours a day for 5 days a week with things that are against the Bible. Sexual promiscuity, drugs, smoking, lying, cheating, abortions, homosexual lifestyles, etc are all okay according to the world. They see their friends living these lifestyles, their teachers telling them it is all okay. They are being taught to do what you want as long as you don\u2019t hurt someone else. \u201cIt is your life. It is your body. Live how you want\u201d is what they are being told hour \u2013 after hour \u2013 after hour. So, they think the things the parents and preacher are telling them from the Bible are not just \u201cold fashioned\u201d anymore but now are \u201coffensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

On top of the list of things above that our children are being taught; they are being taught, \u201cLive how you want and if someone offends you \u2013 sue them \u2013 even if it is your own parents or friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is so against the Bible; it is disgraceful.<\/p>\n

II. Things need to change, and the change needs to start in our houses<\/u>.<\/span><\/h5>\n

If adults are being easily offended, get it right with the Lord. Next, parents teach your children to \u201cMan up or Woman up.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of Job\u2019s frie\"\"nds, Elihu, had been talking in previous verses. Most of us know that Job did not have good friends during his trials in life; but instead of Job being \u201coffended\u201d at them \u2013 this is what God had to say:<\/p>\n

Job 38:1-3 \u201cThen the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this <\/em>(Elihu) that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man<\/u>; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I love the phrase \u201cGird up now thy loins like a man.\u201d<\/em><\/span> God also repeated himself in Job 40:6-7.<\/p>\n

Job was told by God, \u201cWho is this person\/friend who doesn\u2019t know what he is talking about? Get up, dust yourself off, forget it, and move on with life.\u201d Job was not allowed to say, \u201cElihu hurt my feelings. Boohoo. I\u2019m offended.\u201d Wouldn\u2019t this have been hilarious to see a grown man act like this? Well, this is exactly what we are seeing everyday now in the news. Grown men and women saying, \u201cBoohoo my feelings are hurt and I\u2019m offended.\u201d<\/p>\n

III. This worldly attitude, of being offended, has crept into our churches<\/u>.<\/span><\/h5>\n

We have enough mess in the world without having to walk into the church and having to worry about \u201coffending\u201d someone.<\/p>\n

I think we need to get back to a phrase I was taught as a child. \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\u201d Instead of \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words now offend me.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, Christian, this is a challenge to you today to \u201cMan up or Woman up\u201d or as God says, \u201cGird up thy loins now like a man.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

But, before we leave this thought, I believe we need a couple minutes on the flip side of things.<\/p>\n

IV. Woman Up or Have Compassion?<\/u><\/span><\/h5>\n

Manning Up doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t have compassion on people. Some people have gone to the extremes the other way and regardless of what someone has going on in their life, even serious health issues, some people say, \u201cOh well, that is just how it is; deal with it.\u201d This statement shows no compa\"\"ssion. However, the receiver of such comment should not get \u201coffended.\u201d Feelings may be hurt, but don\u2019t get \u201coffended.\u201d<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s talk about compassion. One needs to know when to have compassion and not tell someone to Man up or Woman Up. We need to have compassion when people are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Having health issues<\/li>\n
  • Going through bad times<\/li>\n
  • Lost and going to hell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Jesus showed compassion towards those that were physically hurt, poor, and spiritually lost in their sins. Wherever Jesus went, he had compassion on people.<\/p>\n

    Matthew 9:36 \u201cBut when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

    There is a difference between being compassionate and offensive. We need more compassion, encouragement and exhortation in our churches.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. When others are speaking to you.<\/u><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Remember, if someone says something that doesn\u2019t seem appropriate for the conversation \u2013 don\u2019t get offended. Think about the old phrase, \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\u201d Think of God telling Job to \u201cGird up now thy loins like a man.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      Remember, we all stick our foot in our mouth at times. Friends and family may say something that could be offensive. Stop thinking of things as \u201coffensive\u201d and \u201cGird up now thy loins like a man.\u201d <\/em><\/span>Or woman.<\/p>\n

      2. When you are speaking to others.<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

      When in a conversation \u2013 think of what you\u2019d like to hear from others and be compassionate if the receiver needs a caring friend. Most of the time, that is what people need \u2013 someone to care and show some compassion.<\/p>\n

      In summary:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • We are to be compassionate towards others who are physically hurting, poor, and those lost in their sins and going to hell.<\/li>\n
      • We should not be offensive to someone if at all possible<\/li>\n
      • However, if someone offends us, then remember the phrase God told Job, \u201cGird up thy loins now like a man.\u201d<\/em> <\/span>Man up or Woman up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Adults pray and search your hearts. If you are easily offended, God can help you change your ways.<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/em><\/span>Phillipians 4:8 \u201cI can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

        Let\u2019s rephrase the verse above \u201cI can do all things<\/em> (even be a person who does not get offended) through Christ which strengtheneth me.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        The below post was not an easy one to work on. I prayed about it and worked on it for a couple weeks. I’m\u00a0 just … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":879,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[5],"tags":[223,301,302,303],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/876"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=876"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":886,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/876\/revisions\/886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}