26/10/2024
Offense is the breeding ground for deception.
The Book of Matthew tells us that many shall be deceived because of offense.
A deceived person believes they are correct when they are not.
There are two categories of offense:
1) Those that are genuinely offended
2) Those that think they have been mistreated.
If someone has been genuinely mistreated, they have the right to be offended. However, if they want to walk with God, they should not walk in offense.
A person who can't forgive is a person who forgets what they've been forgiven of.
(Mathew 18:23-33)
People that are unforgiving are tormented, they think they are putting their offender in jail but, in reality, they are putting themselves in jail.
The way one forgives is the way they are going to be forgiven.
The Lord's Prayer reads,
"Forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us."
When offense is present. it wounds and, if not properly treated, it can linger forever.
There are people that are not "in shape" spiritually because offense weakens them.
There are some that are prone to offense. Why? Because they are weak spiritually.
To get back "in shape" spiritually, one needs to exercise. The question: how?
Mathew 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; (KJV).
Physical satisfaction or "feeling good" is not an indication of praying right.
Obedience to the Word of God is the indication of praying right.
One's prayer life, how they pray for their enemies, is the true testament of freedom from offense.
Jesus said go to your brother, that means go to him or her, for reconciliation, how?
By looking to the cross
The bible says the goodness and the mercies of God lead to repentance.
Love of God covers multitudes of sins.
Jesus said in Luke 17;1-One day Jesus taught his disciples this: “Betrayals are inevitable, but great devastation will come to the one guilty of betraying others. (TPT).
Jesus is simply saying as long as one breathe air, there will be an opportunity to be offended; but how one reacts with it will determine their future.
You cannot judge the outcome , only God will judge that and let you know.
Offense is a bait of Satan to put believers into captivity.
2 Timothy 24:26-And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will. (ASV)
Those who are offended at their brothers and sisters will certainly be offended with Jesus. Things will not unfold the way they presume in the end days.
Judas was offended with the Lord and betrayed Him then committed su***de. Taking Satan's bait of offense is a form of spiritual su***de, like a cancer that spreads slowly until it consumes.
Walking in God's glory and the spirit of offense simultaneously is impossible.
Proverbs 19:11-Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
(NLT)
Mark 11:22-25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. (NLT)
Resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, and hatred of the vile endpaths of offense.
A common excuse for self-preservation through disobedience is offense. There is a false sense of self-protection in harboring offense.
It keeps character flaws hidden and blame redirected to another.
A life can be destroyed and destiny undermined if this spirit allowed to continue its rule.
Submit to the authority of God.
Visit the National Prayer Garden website at nationalprayergarden.org
~Pastors Kayode and Ola
This garden will provide a place for people to come and pray and meditate, begin a new walk with God, find healing, rededicate their lives or simply have a quiet place to sort through the issues affecting their lives.
