Who Is the Offender? – Offense, Part 6
I think offense is harder to deal with when someone really close to you offends you or takes up an offense because of you. God had to put me through a season of teaching me about offense after I picked up that offense over my friends’ becoming offended at Ceci and me. (Got that? If not, go back and read yesterday’s GH15 article.) I hate it when God takes me to the shed over these things. I hate it, because I feel that at times I have the right to be offended. Sometimes, it feels good to be offended.
Have you ever had a running conversation with yourself for 15, 20, 30 minutes, as if there is another person there, but, really, you are doing all the talking? You might carry on this way either in your mind or in the car or in your empty house? Doesn’t it feel good? Then, you stop and think, “What am I doing? They (who offended me) aren’t hearing this. All I’m doing is getting an upset stomach.”
It happens to all of us. You can’t go through life and not be offended! You can refuse to pick up an offense, but, “scandalons” will come. The bait is going to be offered to you.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9; NASB)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
We are going to become so sensitive now to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when opportunities for offense present themselves. Rejoice in your freedom!
When you made Jesus Lord of Your life, you gave Him the right to deal with offenses for you. The second the offense comes, hand it over to Him, saying, “This one’s for You, Jesus!”
Catch yourself the moment you begin to start talking to yourself about what “that person” did to you or said about you. Bring that thought immediately captive to the Cross.
Repent the second you know you have hurt someone. Even if you feel it was justified, find the place of reconciliation as quickly as you are able.
Declare, “I will be known as a justice catalyst in my arena of influence.”
A prayer you can pray:
Lord, we rejoice in the freedom You are giving us in Christ as we walk through this study on offense together. Look! Thousands of Believers are becoming aware of the power offense has had over our lives. Thousands of us are going to walk free and able to be peacemakers. We will be able to speak into situations where emotion has ruled. Reign in our emotions and let us walk by Your Spirit, instead. Let us see both sides of an issue and understand why our opposition is fighting so desperately. Where battles are “hot” and emotions run high, we will be able to speak wisely and justly, calmly and confidently. Grant us greater favor and influence, even at the highest levels of government in our states and nation. Let it be known that there are those who are able to resist offense and find solutions to the moral, social, and justice issues we face. I am getting excited just thinking about it. This motivates me even more to walk closely to You each day. I can’t change how others act and react, but I can change, as I let You mold me into the image of Your Son who would not pick up any of the bait of offense Satan threw at Him. Thank You for Your example, Jesus. Amen.
Today’s decree:
The Ekklesia will overcome “scandalon” and become a great force to bring true justice into the nation.