Let’s
define offense: An annoyance or resentment brought about by a
perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one’s standards or principles.
Many believers are experiencing some
form of offense. The enemy has plotted
this tactic against all believers in this hour because he knows his time is cut
short and Jesus is soon to return. He
already has those who are outside of the arc of safety in God’s will, and now
his goal is to draw away as many blood brought trophies of grace as he possible
can.
John
10:10 (a) reads- The thief cometh not, but for
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
Who
is the thief?
The thief is none other than the devil himself. His goal is to steal, and kill, and destroy all who belong to God. He has
now targeted believers in this day and time with a spirit of offense. Many in the body of Christ are up under this
attack and many don’t realize it.
THE TACTICS BEING USED
ü Steal-
The enemy (satan/devil) is robbing many of the joy they have. He knows the things that bother you and he
makes it his business to assign his imps to keep you bound by being offended by
the smallest of things. He knows that
joy does not belong to him and it can only come from God through the blood of
Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.
Joy is eternal, unspeakable and full of God’s glory! The devil forfeited this joy when he rebelled
against God and was banned from heaven forever.
ü Kill-
The enemy (satan/devil) has used disappointments and circumstances of life
experiences to cause many believers to forsake God. Many believers are walking dead. They don’t pray anymore; they don’t fast
anymore; they don’t read their word anymore; they don’t study to show
themselves approved by God anymore; Many
don’t believe anymore because they have been offended by something they feel
should not have happened to them in the first place.
ü Destroy-
The enemy is seizing the opportunity through the spirit of offense to taint and
destroy the witness of those who say they believe in and follow Jesus. He does not want others to know Christ or be influenced by His saving grace.
Have you found yourself to become easily
upset when someone has said or done something to you that made you angry? Have you found yourself hurt because you felt
you did not deserve to be treated in a certain way?
Has your mind tried to set up a way to
get revenge against those you feel have mistreated or talked to you in a
certain manner? Have you isolated
yourself from a person or people by not talking to them due to resentment over
something they may have done?
If you have answered yes to any of these
questions, you are dealing with a spirit of offense. This spirit is very sneaky and crafty. You may be under its influence and may not
even recognize it.
Ecclesiastes
7:21-22 reads:
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy
servant curse thee. For oftentimes also
thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Don’t get your feathers ruffled by
things that are said or spoken to you.
One thing about the truth is, “it stands all by itself and does not have
to be defended.” If you find yourself
defending every negative word said to or about you; every action done against
you then you have allowed yourself to be cursed by those actions. Check your own heart; examine yourself and
repent because the truth of the matter you may have offended someone at some
point in your life.
You can overcome this spirit by
forgiving and loving. Forgiveness is a
commandment by God and if we expect to be in good standing with Him we must forgive. Just take His son Jesus for instance who was
offended, ostracized, talked about, ridiculed and even crucified. We must consider ourselves in good company
when this spirit shows it ugly head and take the example from Jesus to continue
in the things of His Father with a sure determination and much prayer! Remember LOVE covers a multitude of sin.
