Offense

Nothing can kill intimacy between you and God more quickly than offense. Offense is defined by: annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles. It's not unforgiveness because that means we won't let go of the person's debt or perceived crime against us. Offense is more like being hurt and staying that way. Just plain old resentful. Carrying around the pain because someone hurt you is more like offense. You let go of their transgression but you still are holding on to the pain. Guess what? The longer you let it fester the more chances it will turn into resentment and unforgiveness. The next thing you know you are far from feeling the presence of God. The pain and hurt you feel takes over. Soon you are angry all of the time taking things out on others because you can't stuff it down. You start thinking about what that person did all of the time and your thoughts are far from God. YOU CANNOT stay on the narrow road and allow that kind of anger to dominate you. That is walking in the way of Cain. "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." Jude v 11 Cain killed his brother. That's where the spirit of offense leads. You will have so much anger that you will kill righteous Abel just because you hate his relationship with God. You wish you were there but can't because of the anger and offense in your heart. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:6,7

That kind of anger turns into a spirit of murder. We need to rule over our feelings not the other way around. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." Proverbs 16:32 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:21-24

Anger leads to calling people names, cursing them, false accusation, gossip and slander. This is the sin of reviling. God's word says we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven if we are revilers. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 The worse consequence however is what it ultimately leads to: "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:15 Unforgiveness always leads to separation from God! You become like the person with the stone in their hand when God is asking you to drop it. NO ONE is without sin. An offended heart is a heart that is separated from God. I can't tell you the countless people that have walked away from God or cannot seem to stay in fellowship with God because of this. Just this week I was there too! I had to name each person that hurt me and forgive each action they offended or hurt me with. Father, I forgive so and so for.....and I loose the offense from my heart. Ahhhhh, such freedom. Like Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Not easy but if you pray for those who hurt you and despitefully use you God will give you the grace to move forward. Love does not keep a record of wrong doing! Amen!