The Danger of Offense
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 21 January 2009 09:04
THE DANGER OF OFFENSE
Jesus said in Matthew 24:10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. There is a real danger in offense, or being offended. I see this demonic activity knocking more and more believers out of their walk with Christ, and very few are resisting this demon force. Instead of resisting some are being pulled right into it. Offence works in the heart of a child of God and will actually control their destiny. Which of course leads away from all the beautiful things God has planned for them. Offense by itself causes so much damage to a believers life, Jesus warned that it leads to betrayal, then let it run it’s full course and hate now dominates the heart of a child of God. Isn’t that an amazing progression? Offense causes drastic changes in your personality and perception of life. Everything you see and hear is now filtered through the eyes and ears of offence. (Which always see’s hurt)  The offense leads to betrayal, which often is a believer leaving their commitment to their church, which means it is fine to break promises and covenants with no concern for who will be hurt by these actions. After all offense is the best justification for following your flesh, and doing what you desire. It is very clear this is not the work of the Holy Spirit, but the work of the devil. The next step is hate, now this has grown and one wants to see someone else pay for their pain, hate is a terrible thing to have in your heart. Hate will paralyze your faith and obviously limit your ability to love. The progression of offence will now cause you to be attracted to people who bear these same characteristics. Offence, betrayal, hate. Sounds like a bright future and a bunch of people who will enjoy your company. The danger is healing and deliverance will not manifest in this hostile environment! I believe with all my heart that offence is a tool of the devil. Let me explain why this is the work of the devil. 1) If forces people to leave their church. 2) You now believe the worst about people. You know the one’s you never had any problem with before? 3) The offended now loving sharing their offence with others.  Spreading contamination and influencing innocent believers. 4) Offence has now consumed you life, it is pretty much all you talk about. Which means very little talk of Jesus Christ. 5) The offended now rely on deception, avoidance, and the ability to speak truth is now gone. 6) Now the offended persons world is divided into 2 sides.  War is waged to prove who is right. (which is obviously the offended.) 7) Once offense has taken control of your life, and allowed to remain you forfeit joy; you know the fruit of the Holy Spirit? The only thing that can now bring anything resembling joy is hurting someone else with accusation, slander, and many other forms of betrayal. This is pretty scary stuff to say the least. My last words in the article are simple. Offense is a choice. Actually a believer has to make a pretty strong effort to keep this dirty spirit alive in their hearts. It means constantly pushing against the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and Godly leadership. You do not have control over what happens in your life sometimes, you do have control over your response. Make a quality decision today that you will not grab a hold of offense regardless of who delivers it to you. Jesus has so many wonderful things prepared for the pure in heart, so keep your heart clean. - Pastor Scott Anderson |
| < Prev |
|---|