Matthew 18:7 KJV Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
What is an offence?
1. Offence: annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself.
2. Offence: “scandalon”: the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick; a trap, snare; any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Even men of God are in the danger of being offended and are instructed not to be. Why? See verses 25-26 of 2 Timothy 2: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Matthew 24:10 KJV: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
“If I have expectations about certain persons, those people can let me down. They will disappoint me to the degree that they fall short of my expectations. But if I have no expectations about someone, anything given is a blessing and not something owed. We set ourselves up for offence when we require certain behaviours from those with whom we have relationships. The more we expect, the greatest the potential for offence.” – The Bait of Satan by John Bevere
Proverbs 18:19 KJV: A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Taking offence puts the offended in a demonic stronghold. The longer the offence is allowed to fester, the stronger the stronghold. There are those who carry offences to the grave where Hell was waiting to welcome them with open arms.
Indeed we cannot stop offences from its source, “offences will come” (Matt 18:7) but we can determine how we react to them. Offence is one of the most effective tool of Satan and he will not cease using it as a bait (in different shapes, forms and sizes). He will use anything he has access to and anyone who gives him room in their heart to operate and he knows to use the person or thing that would be easiest to lure you into an offence with. The closer or deeper the relationship, the deeper the wounding by the offence.
Psalm 55:12-14 KJV: For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
It is true that no one can hurt you like family, friend or another Christian!
Acts of Love and Forgiveness: genuine, pre-emptive, instant and constant love and forgiveness is the protection and defence against the demonic attack of offence.
Matthew 5:44-48 KJV: 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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
When we forgive we equally enjoy divine forgiveness:
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
If you have offended someone don’t beat up yourself for it… Apologise to those whom you know you have offended and work at reconciliation by asking for forgiveness but be genuine, if it is something you can do a Godly restitution for, do it. And if the person or persons would not forgive you…place the matter before God in prayer and go on with your life. It is well. Be truly repentant though and avoid being a repeat offender.
Matthew 5:23-24 ESV: So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Offences are blessing blockers. They limit how far we can go with God and destroy good relationships. We must not entertain an offence nor open up our life up to it but only by practicing love and forgiveness on daily basis.
Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
May we never again be ignorant of the dangers of being offended but recognize it as the satanic trap and have the divine grace to avoid it like a deadly plague in Jesus Name. Amen!
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 