Since God does not deal harshly with us when we sin, we should be willing to treat others in a similar fashion. This does not mean that we must overlook all sins, but it does require that we ask God to help us discern and overlook minor wrongs.

Overlooking offenses is appropriate under two conditions. First, the offense should not have created a wall between you and the other person or caused you to feel differently toward him or her for more than a short period of time. Second, the offense should not be causing serious harm to God's reputation, to others, or to the offender.

Overlooking offenses isn't just an issue in interpersonal relationships. It's also an issue that crops up between nations, political parties, cultures, and, yes, even churches. Sometimes personal offenses that should be overlooked end up making the headlines. Pick up today's newspaper (or go to an Internet news site) and look at the front page. Are any of the stories rooted in a failure to overlook an offense? Can you think of other current events that arose out of a failure to overlook? Pick one of these "non-overlooked offense" incidents and take a moment to pray for the "offended" party (for grace to overlook the offense) and the "offender" (for grace to respond in a way that de-escalates conflict).

Then ask yourself if there are any recent offenses against you that you should have overlooked but instead, you have escalated? Offer confession to God and pray for his wisdom in "de-escalating" the conflict.