The Sin of Hypersensitivity (Part I)
Scripture: Prov. 15:31, 32 (NKJV) - The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Have you ever considered, dear readers, that hypersensitivity is a SIN? And just like all other sins, it is a problem of pandemic proportions—a root issue that fans out, if unchecked, into SO many other life areas! Hypersensitivity is defined as, “…the tendency to be quick to take offense or be offended; touchiness, hurt feelings. “If not taken to the extreme, a degree of sensitivity can be viewed as a good thing. I’m persuaded, however, that a reasonable dose of sensitivity, tends to make one a bit more empathetic to other people’s feelings. (The world certainly could use a lot more of that these days)!
When I was a little girl of about 10 or 11 years old, my maternal grandmother looked me in the eye, with loving concern, saying, “Niecy darlin’, you’ve got your feelings on the ends of your fingertips; you’ve got to stop being so touchy!” You guessed it—I immediately took offense to my dear Grandma telling me such a stinging truth about myself; yet, to this day, I am grateful for her loving candor.
The Spirit has so much to say on the growth-stunting by-products of hypersensitivity. One by-product is pride. “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2) Failing to respond properly to criticism is a sure indicator that we have some pride issues to uproot and banish! “A man’s pride shall bring him low,” says Proverbs 29:23(a). Anger, another troublesome off-shoot of hypersensitivity, shows up frequently on our highways and byways—in the form of “roadrage.” “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly,” says Proverbs 14:17(a). None of us belonging to Christ wants to obstruct our own growth in Him, do we? Instead, let’s emulate the wise man described in Proverbs 19:11, who “…restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.” (TLB) Let’s get serious, saints, and grow up some more. Let’s purpose anew to resist the SIN of hypersensitivity!
Prayer: Oh, Abba, You have placed Your divine finger on this besetting sin of mine on quite a few occasions! Show me the lateness of the hour, that I might be offended or quickly angered by none more than I fear You and desire to honor You! Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name ; Amen!
(by Denise Diggs)
Have you ever considered, dear readers, that hypersensitivity is a SIN? And just like all other sins, it is a problem of pandemic proportions—a root issue that fans out, if unchecked, into SO many other life areas! Hypersensitivity is defined as, “…the tendency to be quick to take offense or be offended; touchiness, hurt feelings. “If not taken to the extreme, a degree of sensitivity can be viewed as a good thing. I’m persuaded, however, that a reasonable dose of sensitivity, tends to make one a bit more empathetic to other people’s feelings. (The world certainly could use a lot more of that these days)!
When I was a little girl of about 10 or 11 years old, my maternal grandmother looked me in the eye, with loving concern, saying, “Niecy darlin’, you’ve got your feelings on the ends of your fingertips; you’ve got to stop being so touchy!” You guessed it—I immediately took offense to my dear Grandma telling me such a stinging truth about myself; yet, to this day, I am grateful for her loving candor.
The Spirit has so much to say on the growth-stunting by-products of hypersensitivity. One by-product is pride. “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2) Failing to respond properly to criticism is a sure indicator that we have some pride issues to uproot and banish! “A man’s pride shall bring him low,” says Proverbs 29:23(a). Anger, another troublesome off-shoot of hypersensitivity, shows up frequently on our highways and byways—in the form of “roadrage.” “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly,” says Proverbs 14:17(a). None of us belonging to Christ wants to obstruct our own growth in Him, do we? Instead, let’s emulate the wise man described in Proverbs 19:11, who “…restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.” (TLB) Let’s get serious, saints, and grow up some more. Let’s purpose anew to resist the SIN of hypersensitivity!
Prayer: Oh, Abba, You have placed Your divine finger on this besetting sin of mine on quite a few occasions! Show me the lateness of the hour, that I might be offended or quickly angered by none more than I fear You and desire to honor You! Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name ; Amen!
(by Denise Diggs)
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12 Comments
Amen, yes indeed, and sho nuff!
Holy Spirit lead us towards a discernment which blesses, even today.
Father, please forgive me for my character defects due to hypersensitivity. Help me to be slow to anger, and quicken my heart to be loving, patient, kind and forgiving, as You have been towards me. Amen
Thank You Sis. Denise
Amen! Yes, Lord. I've been there. I'm reminded of the Word-Don't think of yourselves more highly than you ought. Hallelujah Lord.
Thank You Lord for Your creativeness in growing us up!
Amen!!! This is so true, Sis. Denise.
Amen ! Sister Denise-ThankYou!!
Amen Sis. Denise. I had to learn not to wear my feelings on my shoulders.
Truly, this subject address the heart of a critical area in my life that must be daily presented to the Almighty God! The instructions and testimony here are key encouragement in my determined application to grow in Christ and the scripture concerning my discretion. Thank You!
Amen may the Lord open my eye more
Wow this was really helpful now I got to understand how anger and pride brings about hypersensitivity and vise-versa thank you .
Thank you Denise! I've seen an Allergist for one year. He said my allergies were "hypersensitive". I attend a full gospel church that practices "deliverance" in order to heal as Scripture clearly speaks of. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I was experiencing hypersensitivity in my behavior. Today, I researched and found the article. Thank you Holy Sprit for using your people to share the revelation and knowledge for your glory! Now, I can rebuke the "spirit of hypersensitivity" and it must flee!
I'm sorry but your well-meaning grandmother was wrong. The book of Proverbs does have much to say about pride and heeding wise counsel, but wearing your heart on your sleeve is not a sin or a defect (as the perjorative "hyper-sensitive" implies) as it does not have to be rooted in pride. It is simply the way God made some of us, and suppressing those feelings is what may cause internal damage and create anger that manifests in subtle but long-lasting ways. I'm sorry that this false message was bestowed upon you at such an impressionable phase of your life, by someone you trusted and who apparently expected you to view the world the same way she did.