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One of the devil’s most insidious, effective offensive spiritual weapons is offense.
Jesus told us in Matthew 18:7 “stumbling blocks” (offense) would come. Sadly, offense is part of life. “Woe To the world because of stumbling blocks, for it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; BUT WOE TO THAT MAN THROUGH WHOM THE STUMBLING BLOCK COMES!” Did you catch what the Lord said? WOE! YES WOE! When Jesus says WOE, TIME TO LISTEN UP! The Lord’s word to those who offend, causing others to stumble, was WOE! In my itty-bitty brain WOE sounds like a huge NO!
Our scripture for this week directs us how to avoid the negative aspects of offense. “Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165 The King James Version of our verse states “Great peace have they who love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” What a clear word from the Lord. Those who love and live by God’s law will have great peace (on the inside) and NOTHING (zip, zero, nadda!) will offend (cause them to stumble). According to this truth, we can lead a life that is above offense. Offended people stumble through life. Bless their little offended hearts! They stumble from one offense to another to another. Their narrow, self-centered life resembles a rock pathway with each stone marked “This is how they offended me.” Living this way they never experience peace. In my forty plus years of ministry as a Pastor, offended people are the most difficult to deal with in the church. They wear an invisible button that screams offend me and I will offend you. Sadly, in all my ministry, I never once could win an offended church member over to the side of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and a new beginning in relationships. Not one! Humanly speaking, it is hard for all of us to not be offended when people offend us. People living with a spirit of offense live by a lower law than the higher law of God’s love. People who refuse to be offended choose to love others and forgive them when an offense comes. They know that to harbor an offense in their hearts only reaps unrest, bitterness, and discord with others.
When we live by God’s law, man’s breaking of it will not cause us to stumble. If we live by the higher law of God’s love, man’s lower law of offense will not disturb our peace nor steal our joy. Observations About Offense
Three Tips For Not Tripping Over Offense 1. Walk in God’s love. With His help, do your best not to offend others. Offense free living is a mark of maturity. 2. Walk in God’s love. Forgive those who offend you. Forgive. Forgive. And forgive again those who offend you. They will not like it when you return their offense with forgiveness and willingness to reconcile your relationship. Forgive anyway. 3. Walk in God’s love. Do not let offended people get to you. Some folks, bless their hearts, are professional offenders! Warm heart. Thick skin is the best defense against offense. My friend do not be naïve. Offenses will come. If you want great peace, look to God’s Word. Then choose to not be offended…and do not be an offender!!! Bottom line: Christlike living is not offended and does not offend. Pretty simple! “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.” Proverbs 18:19 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard our hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 A Word For Your Week: If y |
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