It’s a Trap
In Luke 17:1, Jesus tells us that offenses are inevitable; they WILL come. The Greek word for “offense” is skandalon. It is also translated as a “stumbling block,” a word or event that causes an individual to stumble or fall, figuratively speaking.
This word is very fascinating. Skandalon literally means “a trap-stick.”(1) It was the trigger of a trap (usually made of wood) on which bait was placed; when the bait was taken by an animal, the trap was sprung. Skandalon is also the Greek word from which we get our English word, scandal. When we, like an unsuspecting animal, take certain types of bait, we are trapped and often find ourselves in a scandalous situation.
It also became the word for an “offense” since an offense results from “taking the bait” when wronged. Thus, the phrase, “pick up an offense.” When we have been wronged or mistreated, the key to remaining free from bitterness and lasting pain is to not pick up the offense - don’t take the bait. Jesus told us very clearly that we WILL be baited - offenses WILL come. We must not pick them up - they are traps!
The bait used in an animal trap is food the creature finds appealing, something it desires to eat. How else could the trap actually be successful? Likewise, we pick up offenses because it is desirable; it feels good to pick it up. When treated poorly or unfairly, stolen from, spoken to harshly, abused, or mistreated, it is appealing to take the bait. We “deserve” to be angry, to feel resentful, to take up an offense. After all, they wronged us.
But it’s a trap!
Years ago, in a certain part of Africa, monkeys were trapped by placing a banana in a jar that was tied to a tree or stake. The opening of the jar was just large enough for the monkey’s hand to fit through when open. However, when the hand was closed into a fist, it was too big to remove it. The monkey wanted the banana so badly that it would not let go of it, and consequently could not remove its hand. It was now trapped by its desire.
If you have picked up an offense, if you have taken the bait, let go of it. It’s the only way to be free. If you hold on to it, you will become a captive to the effects of the wound, and to satan.
Forgiveness - The Key to Freedom
This brings us to the subject of forgiveness. Jesus told us in Luke 6:37 to forgive, and we would be forgiven. In the prayer we call the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus again instructed us to forgive our debtors, or “those who trespass against us.” The word forgive also means to release. “Release and you will be released,” Luke 6:37 says. The key to being freed from the effects of being wronged - pain, fear, emotional walls, and more - is to release the person who hurt us. Let go of the banana. It may feel good to resent or hate the offending party, but it’s a trap.
Here are three truths that will help you “let go.” Firstly, one of the biggest hindrances for those needing to forgive is a misconception of forgiveness itself. Most people tie it to their feelings. But forgiveness doesn’t come from our feelings or emotions. It is a decision we make based on truth, not how we feel. God did not intend for our feelings to lead or control us. They should not define us. Being angry at someone we love doesn’t mean we no longer love them. We may not “feel” the love at the moment - in our emotions we feel anger - but we still love the person. In the same way, forgiveness isn’t a feeling. We can make a genuine decision to forgive/release, while still feeling anger, hurt, pain, etc. We do so as an action of our will, based on truth - God said to do it. And if we maintain our decision, it allows God to work the process of releasing and healing us from the pain and hurt.
Another hindrance to forgiveness is failing to realize that when doing so, we are not saying that the offending person did nothing wrong, or that they deserve to be forgiven. We are simply releasing them to God - He reserves the right to judge individuals. We are trusting Him to do what is right.
Still another hindrance to forgiving is the belief that if we have truly done so, we will have only positive thoughts or feelings toward the offender. This is simply not true. There are people I have forgiven who I still do not trust or like as a person. Some are mean, unkind, and unrighteous. But I have chosen to forgive them, releasing them to God, though they will never be my friends.
Roots of Bitterness
When we pick up an offense, it will become a root of bitterness if not released. The fruit this bitter root produces is destructive: sickness, emotional disorders, anger, loss of joy, and a breach between us and God. It also spreads to others. Hebrews tells us that a root of bitterness in us defiles many. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15; KJV). The Greek word for “defiled” is also the word for a stain on clothing. When we become bitter, we stain others with our bitterness. We’ve all seen entire families separated through bitterness. How tragic.
In tomorrow’s post, I will share the story of my hatred toward an individual, and God’s healing of my hardened heart. I truly hated this man and would have loved to see him destroyed. God, however, showed me I could release him, and would have to, to be released from my own chains. He will grace you to do the same.
Pray with me:
Father, we thank You for modeling love and forgiveness. While we were still sinners, You sent Your Son to die for us. Jesus, You forgave those who crucified You. We want Your forgiving nature to control us. We want to walk in love. We ask for grace now to do so.
As You taught us to do, we choose to forgive those who have hurt us. We release them. As we do so, we believe it will release a healing process in us. Wounds will heal, sickness will leave, and emotions will no longer control us. We desire to forgive and release so You can forgive us (Mark 11:25).
And Lord, we know healed people heal people. Make us healers. Help us to spread healing love, not stain-causing bitterness. Heal our land of racial wounds, political division, and cultural divides. We want to see the accuser cast down in our nation. We bind spirits of division and strife, declaring their hold broken.
We desire to be ambassadors and examples of Your love and forgiveness toward others. Help us represent You well. We pray these things in Christ’s powerful name.
Our decree:
We decree that we will love and forgive as we have been loved and forgiven by God.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible - New American Standard (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1984; revised edition, 1990) p. 2274.