Weekly Grace Notes

SIGNS OF A SPIRIT OF OFFENSE IN YOUR LIFE OR IN OTHERS

• CAUSES DIVISION

  • The biggest element that offense does, is break up unity. Offense loves to conquer and divide. This type of division is detrimental to the Body of Christ because it causes division, and the church needs to be UNITED. Unity is extremely important in our pursuit of God and His calling. The power of unity is likened to the anointing oil that touches not just the head (leaders in the church) but goes all the way down to every single church member.

• A FORM OF PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

  • "I'm right and you're wrong..." How many times have we felt that way? That isn't offense, but what you DO with that, can become offense. At times we don't realize we are being set up for offense because it is hidden in our pride and self-righteousness.

• STIRS UP HATRED & ANGER

  • Offense breeds hatred and anger. The Pharisees and Sadducees were so offended by Christ that it made them go crazy to the point they wanted Him dead. People often leave the church and/or their faith due to offense with others. 

• CASTS OFF LOVE

  • Offense can NOT coexist with love, it is absolutely impossible. If there is true Godly love, then offense will not be able to ensnare We must be rooted and grounded in Christ, bearing the fruit of the Spirit and remaining in Him.
  • 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a firm description of what love is. If the thoughts, words, actions, and/or behaviors do not line up with God's Word, it is not of Him.

HOW TO DISMANTLE AND DEAL WITH THE SPIRIT OF OFFENSE

• FORGIVE THE PERSON(S)
  • The majority of the time, offense is just a misunderstanding or an accident, let it go and forgive. Yet even if the offense was intentional, still forgive them. Forgiving breaks the power of offense.
• PRAY
  • Talk to the Lord, ask Him to help you. Ask Him for His heart to feel more love and kindness. Ask Him for His eyes to see clearly. Pray for the person/s that offended you. Bless them and ask Jesus to touch them with His love and presence.
• EAT SOME HUMBLE PIE
  • Remind yourself that you are not always right or perfect either and we have all, at one time or another, caused hurt to another person. None of us have it all together and we need to be patient and kind to others, no matter where they are in life. Forgiveness and humbling yourself, go hand in hand.
• GO TO THE PERSON
  • If the Lord puts it on your heart to go to the person/s, in Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus established a procedure to be followed in the event that a brother would commit a sin or offense against another Christian. If believers would obey scripture, to go and LOVINGLY confront their offenders in the manner Jesus gave, it would solve over half of the problems which exist in the church (to resolve misunderstandings, to maintain peace in the body of Christ, so Satan cannot gain advantage over us, so that the offender is held accountable, and to restore a fallen brother/sister in Christ).
    • After praying, go to the person/s and lovingly share the offense keeping the matter private between yourselves to seek reconciliation with your brother/sister in Christ and restore a right relationship with God and each other.
    • If your private attempt fails to resolve the issue, take one other Christian and again lovingly confront the offending party/ies. Presence of another Christian is as a witness to strengthen the seriousness of the situation, collaborate the exhortation of scripture, amplify the Lord's presence in the meeting, and verify the exchange of testimony.
    • If both attempts fail to resolve the issue, then discuss the offense/situation with your church pastor/s or elder/s to bear responsibility in dealing with the offending party.