I hate offence. It is the bait of Satan.
So many in our society are offended at every turn. There is such a thing as a spirit of offence. Jesus warns us of this offence in Luke 17:1-2. “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck.”
It is hard enough when offense comes from people who live in the world, but it is one of the hardest things to overcome when it comes from another Christian. It hurts to the core. It gives a place for the enemy to begin whispering lies into your ear. If you are not prayed up and ready to combat those lies from the enemy, then you will begin to believe them. Once you believe them, you become disheartened, and at times, you will wonder why you even try. When that attitude is prevalent, the enemy comes in stronger and makes you want to just give up. I have felt like this.
No one is perfect, except Jesus, and this serves as a warning to those who speak without thinking… you need to be aware of your words. If you choose words that tear down another, whether said to that person directly or indirectly, it will come back on you, for what you sow is what you will reap. You should choose to speak life and not death. You have no idea how those words are going to affect someone and then the onslaught of what the enemy will do within that person’s mind. If it causes them to give up trying to do what God has asked them to do, you will stand accountable.
So, how do you deal with offense, especially when it comes against the very heart of who you are? I’ve had that happen before, and it was difficult for me to overcome, but this is what I have learned. Get some thick skin! Decide ahead of time you will not be offended. They are speaking out of either past hurts or their own insecurities. If words are spoken that are hurtful, reject those words immediately and don’t allow them to penetrate your heart. Pray for the person who spoke those words. Yes, you heard me, pray for them. Pray blessings over their lives, for in doing so, they must get their heart right with the Lord to receive those blessings. Love them despite the hurt and overlook their words. If you do this, you are obeying the Word of the Lord and He will reward you for your obedience. It’s in His strength that you can do all things.
Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
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