A Spirit of Offense

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.