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Taking Offense

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Faith

Unconditional Love

by Rene Lafaut
written by Rene Lafaut

What focus ought we to have in order to make love real to those we meet daily? How do we love them unconditionally and further dismantle our strongholds of sin? Put another way how are we: “to love without conditions” the people in our lives?

It is helpful to ask what sorts of conditions exist that keep us from loving unconditionally the people in our lives? There are many, but “Do they deserve my love?” is the strongest condition I can think of that stops us from loving people. It is often tied to revenge or “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24) mentality. The idea being that people ought to get what they deserve because it is only fair.

Taking Offense

When I start to wrestle with and take offense at the boundary violations or hurts others have visited on me when I look for reasons to love, then this path can easily lead towards judging, self-pity, anger, resentments, unkindness and a lack of love if I’m not careful.

A quick and easy way to put such judging to death is to ask myself: “Do I want to be gracious to the guilty party?” Or ask: “Do I want to love them unconditionally?” If I answer yes to these questions, then the judging shackles fall to the ground as grace flows into me enabling me to do an act of love with God’s grace. That touches the life of someone I was tempted to formerly treat like an enemy instead.

This is not done through minimizing what the guilty party did or didn’t do. But it is done because we know about and experience God’s grace or unconditional love each day. And we want God’s grace for everyone not just ourselves. God’s love inspires us to love unconditionally. The fewer sin strongholds in our lives the stronger and more likely this strategy is going to help bear love.

Identifying Strongholds

There are many strongholds against love besides judging. These include compulsive laziness, jealousy, wanting things to be fair, self-pity, anger, conceit, pride, and using people. When such blocks are dealt with then love can and will blossom more fully.

The only way to growing in love involves repenting in wise, genuine and caring ways. When we get unhealthy stuff that is sinful, negative, mean, intolerant, jealous, and manipulative triggered within us (while interacting with any person) then such attitudes are doorways to change when we know how to pray.

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To learn more read – Dismantling The Tree of Knowledge of Good And Evil Within So Love Can Thrive.

Read also: Jihadist Sees God In A Dream And Confesses “I Fell In Love With Jesus”

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Faith

Are You Offended By God?

by Henrietta Decruz
written by Henrietta Decruz

“And they took offense at Him [they were repelled and hindered from acknowledging His authority, and caused to stumble].” (Matthew 13: 57)

When you look at your walk with the Lord, what do you see? Do you find that your love that was fervent and passionate in the beginning has become cold and indifferent? 

It is possible even for believers who loved the Lord and were faithful to Him for years to become distant from Him. It happens when something triggers a feeling of offense towards the Lord. The believer may not even be aware of it. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we should “lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ.” For this reason, it is important that we examine and check our hearts for any offense from time to time.

What is offense?

What does the Bible say about “offense”? What are the repercussions of having an offense against the Lord?

When Jesus, who did great miracles, healed the sick and raised the dead to life came to His own hometown, He wanted to do miracles for people there too. But the people of this town were offended with Him, they refused to accept Him. They could not believe in Him because of their offense. Their offense restricted Him from using His power for their benefit.

The Amplified Bible says they were “repelled and hindered from acknowledging His authority, and caused to stumble,” from having faith in Him. What was the result of their taking offense? Matthew 13:58 says, “He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).” 

Have you wondered why miracles break out only in some places or wondered why only some people seem to be able to receive miracles from the Lord? 

Believer, have you wondered why some people seem to have testimony after testimony but some others don’t? 

A time for soul searching

Perhaps it is time to check your faith and search your heart to find whether you are offended with God over something that happened in the distant or recent past. Check if offense or unbelief has kept you from seeing your prayers answered and prevented you from seeing miracles and amazing testimonies unfolding in your life. If it is so, it is time to renew your faith in the Lord.

Peter says in Acts 10:34-35, “God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons. But in every nation He who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].”

God is not unfair! If you open your heart to Him and revere Him, He will do great miracles for you! 

Just like the father of the boy who was tormented by an evil spirit (see Mark 9:24) who acknowledged his lack of faith saying, “Lord, help me overcome my unbelief!” we too can cry out to the Lord for help. The Bible says that Jesus responded to the father’s cry and the boy was set free.

Turn to God, He loves you with an everlasting love!

Reach out to God! He is waiting for you.

Reach out to God!

What is it you need from the Lord today? Pray in faith, believing that He is able and He will answer your prayer and He will do it for you. Matthew 7:7-8 encourages us to, “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” 

When we don’t receive an answer –  we are to persist in praying and not give up! Luke 18: 1-7 encourages us to keep on praying and seeking until we receive an answer. Just like the widow who kept on knocking on the door of the unjust judge till she got justice, we too should keep praying and seeking God’s intervention and solution for our problems. Let us be open to receive God’s answer and expect that He will do what is best for us.

If you find that you have lost your closeness with God, the first thing you need to do is go back to Him and tell Him you are sorry. Repent for getting offended with Him and ask Him to cleanse your heart of every thought, feeling and attitude that goes against Him. Ask Him to enable you to see things in His light.

The most important relationship

Our relationship with God is the most important and longest relationship we will ever have. Psalm 139:13 says, “For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God knew us before we were conceived. After we finish our time on earth we will have to go and stand before Him. Our relationship with Him is not just on earth but eternal. If we use our free will to go against Him our deeds could cause eternal separation from Him.

Let us always guard our hearts against any kind of offense against God. Let us remember to take every problem to God and ask Him to help us overcome it so the enemy cannot cause a rift between us and God through it. Let us be mindful of how we spend our lives because how we spend our time on earth will finally define how we spend eternity.

God’s never ending love

In Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord says, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.”

He knows our frame, He knows how much we suffer, out of love He calls out to us saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” Matthew 11:28

Won’t you turn to Him and give Him a chance to lavish His love on you? He is the perfect gentleman He will not force His love on you, He waits for you just like the father of the prodigal son waited for his son longingly. His arms are open wide.

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offense
Faith

Offence: Do Not Let Sin Against You, Cause Sin in You

by Adeline Asante-Antwi
written by Adeline Asante-Antwi

Put away offense. You may be hurt, but hurt doesn’t equal anger, so own the fact that it hurts but choose forgiveness like our Father.

Let us consider the story of Joseph. When he was sold into slavery in Egypt he was incredibly hurt and betrayed. The Bible records that when he saw them again, he had to excuse himself and he wept. But, that did not stop him from forgiving his brothers.

The story of Joseph, is a good template for us to follow today, because it teaches us to let go of offense. When his brothers pushed Joseph into the pit, his brothers said, “We’ll see what will come of your dreams!” But what they didn’t  know, was that their ‘evil act’ would in fact lead their brother to Pharaoh’s palace!

This can be your story too! You must believe and understand that NOTHING can destroy the dream, favor and destiny set for your life by God. Every offender is part of a plan to lead you to your palace.

Joseph assured his brothers, that “it was God who sent him ahead of them so that many lives would be saved”. No one can get you fired from your job, no one can make you unhappy in your marriage, and no one can destroy your destiny! The Lord will use every act (good or bad) for your good as a testimony to encourage others and bring more souls to Christ. (Romans 8:28)

Forgiveness enables God to use every offense and every blockade for your good. And many lives will be changed by your testimony! Many lives will be brought closer or to a knowledge of Christ because of your testimony.

What do you do to the offender? Pray for them. Jesus instructed us to pray for those who persecute us. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44)

So pray for that –husband who is committing adultery and has left home. Pray for that friend who stole your boyfriend. Pray for the colleague at work who may be spreading gossip about you to get you fired.

From my experience, praying for offenders enables you to forgive and let go of bitterness, as well as open doors of blessings for you.

Do not let an offense against you, cause you to sin! May the Holy Spirit equip us with the ability to forgive in the same way our Father  forgives!

Forgiveness is about giving out mercy. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. The Blood of Abel speaks JUSTICE, we had sinned and deserved hell a world away from God. But the Blood of Jesus speaks MERCY, undeserved, unrestrained PARDON. That is what Jesus expects us to give to our husbands, our families, our friends, work colleagues and enemies.

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offense
Lifestyle

Do You Need Peace in Your Relationships? Important Steps to Let Go of Offense

by Elizabeth Pitman
written by Elizabeth Pitman

Important Steps in Letting Go of Offense

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19)

The last word…We have all been there. Someone says something hurtful or irritating, and we have that comment on the tip of our tongue in response. The kind of comment that is cutting…The kind that would tear someone down…The kind that would make you “mic drop” and walk away. We have seconds to decide how we are going to react and whether we will release those words or hold them back. The flesh cries out, “Go ahead; say it.” The Spirit says, “Don’t say it. You’ll regret it. Respond in love.” The flesh wars against the Spirit. And, in that second, what will you personally decide?

The harder and better choice is most certainly responding in love, but how tough that is when it’s so easy to take offense! It really takes the strength of God to ignore the flesh and to act in a Christ-like manner. In order to handle unforeseen and hurtful comments from others the way Christ instructs us to, it really takes the Spirit of God and the study of His Word firmly planted in our hearts. Therefore, when temptation comes, we are better equipped and can cling to the Truth in order to react biblically.

The following steps are based on 1 Peter 3:9-13 and can greatly help us toward becoming peacemakers by avoiding arguments and conflicts in our treatment of one another in order to overcome offense:

  • “Never return insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing” (Verse 9).”

When insulted, we are to bless the other person. Imagine saying something complimentary or encouraging after being insulted, instead of retaliating. As hard as it may be, blessing someone can diffuse a situation and stop an argument in its tracks. In fact, the end of this verse says that obedience to God can bring blessing in your own life. So, as you contemplate what decision to make, remind yourself of the rewards of your obedience, but most importantly, remind yourself that Christ commands it.

  • Refuse to talk about the other person.

Verse 10 states, “For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days keep his tongue from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).” After someone mistreats us, the most common response is to tell other people about it to get their sympathy and to make the other person look bad. Instead of using our tongues to backbite, gossip, spread lies, or all of the above, let’s use our speech to uplift, build up, and encourage one another. With the help of God, let’s learn to silence our tongues when offended, and, instead, pray about the situation and the person who has wronged us.

  • Search for peace and turn away from wickedness.

Verse 11 is very clear that we are to make an effort to promote unity amongst one another and to avoid conflict. Unbelievers should be able to recognize a difference in us based on our love for others, not by our slander, not by our idle talk; not by our divisiveness. Matthew 5:9 reiterates this by saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for the will inherit the kingdom of God.” Pray for peace. Bless your enemies (Romans 12).

  • God’s eyes are on those who seek to do right, and His ears are open to their prayer.

This is definitely incentive enough to keep our heart’s obedient to Christ. God takes notice of our actions. His eyes are watching, and His ears are open to our prayers, particularly when we handle things according to His Word.

  • As we live a life of a peacemaker, our enemies diminish.

“Now who is there to hurt you if you are ‘Zealous followers of that which is good? (Verse 13)'”. Throughout life, we will, at times, encounter opposition. However, if we are always responding in love, instead of bitterness and hatred, the person causing the potential argument, will not have a reason to continue firing off at the mouth if we don’t play into the same game they started. My grandfather was someone who truly was a peacemaker and lived this principle. Out of all my years of knowing him, I did not ever hear him speak unkindly about anyone. This precious man imprinted a legacy for those he left behind.

By taking these verses to heart, let’s encourage each other to respond to offense biblically in order to become peacemakers.

Will there be times you need to confront others?… Most certainly, yes. But, we must make sure to do so with a Christ-like, loving attitude and the Spirit of God leading our words and actions. We must also remember that our response to mistreatment is vital and that retaliation brings regret. Forgiveness brings the opportunity for healing, not only in our relationships with one another but also in our own hearts, as well. If we have hurt someone with our words and caused offense, it is important to ask that person for their forgiveness. Putting on love and humility and realizing that Christ’s opinion is the only one that matters makes all the difference. As we do this, not only do we obey God, but we also show others that we are different from the world. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)

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