Watch out for offense! It will take you out of God’s plan and purpose quicker than anything else.
· When we don’t like what is being said.
· When we don’t like what is being done.
· When we don’t like how we are being treated.
Think of it: Proverbs 18:19 tells us a brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Watch the 2 minute video clip
to help you SEE what offense looks like!
It is a trap! When we fall into this trap we make the issue all about ourselves. When we get offended we no longer abide in Christ where the place of victory, protection, anointing, favour, blessing, and strength is. We succumb to our flesh, our mind, our will and our emotions.
The trap of offense happens when we think we are defending ourselves, protecting ourselves and standing up for ourselves, but what we are really doing is stepping outside the one truly safe place – Christ.
We could put it this way: If you want to fight for what makes sense to your feelings, you are going to end up losing everything Jesus came to give you. However, if you are willing to get past what feels right or fair to you in the moment and trust in Him, ultimately you will find everything you desire and were created for.
This is how Jesus put it: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses His life for My sake will find it”.
(Matthew 16:25)
Offense is you and I trying to save ourselves, and protect ourselves. That never works! In the moment it may feel as if it is working, but ultimately, what offense does is cause us to turn away from the person that offended us.
When someone does us wrong; we are called to love that person. Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
We can only do this by faith and by a choice to trust the Lord in the situation. Our feelings will not want to line up with this instruction. That is why it is called walking by faith.
We are not called to turn away from someone who speaks ill of us; we are called to bless and pray for that person. (Luke 6:27-28)
We are not called to go off in a huff when someone sins against us; we are called to forgive and show that person a grace he or she did not show us. (Matthew 6:12 - Romans 12:14)
We are not called to fight against someone who has come against us; we are called to fight for him or her. (Ephesians 6:12) - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The Word of God says "For the spirit of heaviness, put on the garment of praise. This is how we fight our battles. It may look like you’re surrounded, but you‘re surrounded by HIM!
Praise Him, Thank Him, Keep Your Heart Right
for out of it flows the issues of Life!!!
