By Pastor Daniel
3rd January, 2022
Shall we pray?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life, thank you for the gift of this year, thank you for family and for every other thing you’ve blessed us with. As we start our teaching session, take control sweet Holy Spirit. Our hearts are open to receive from you tonight. In Jesus name, Amen.
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So, tonight we shall be discussing on the topic, OFFENCE.
See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
[Hebrews 12:15 AMP]
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[Ephesians 4:31 KJV]
I’d like to start by saying that offence can be a trap.
The scripture we just read in Hebrews 12:15 encourages or admonishes us to be mindful of the state of our hearts especially regarding bitterness and resentment towards others.
It is very easy for us to be offended at people especially when they do something bad to us or even say hurtful things to us.
But that’s where the trap is… It sprouts up bitterness in our hearts especially if we are unwilling to let go or even forgive. And we know that bitterness can be a seed. It starts very small and when not properly handled grows to become something big that cannot be controlled.
Offence that is not handled can lead to murder…
We all know the story of how Cain murdered his brother Abel because he was offended at God for not accepting his offering.
Genesis 4:3-8
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.[Genesis 4:3-8 NIV]
There are other similar stories of murder in the Bible as a result of bitterness and offence.
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So, how do we handle offences?
Forgive… Forgive… Forgive…
We must learn to let go especially when we feel hurt by others.
When we carry bitterness in our hearts as a result of offences, it opens up the portals for all sorts of attack by the devil.
If you can’t let go of an offence, you attract all forms of sickness to your life…
You may ask, ‘how is this even possible?’
Well, here’s the thing. Bitterness is a negative energy. Demons operate at a negative energy level. So, when we carry bitterness, we create a breeding ground for all forms of demonic activities in our lives.
We have a role model, Jesus Christ.
How was he able to handle offences?
He prayed for them… He said, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.’
Rather than looking for justifications for offences, we should learn to forgive and let go…
And move on with our lives.
Yes I know it’s not easy and that’s where we need the Holy Spirit.
It is only the Holy Spirit that can help you to pray for someone you are offended at. And the moment you start praying for them sincerely, it clears off every form of bitterness in you.
Do not let offences separate you from fellowship.
Do not let offences deprive you of the blessings you can receive from people, especially those you are offended at.
God bless you.
Thank you Sweet Holy Spirit for this session.
Thank you for the Hearts that are renewed from this teaching tonight… Thank you for lives that are transformed was well… Blessed be you name oh Lord… In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Question:
“If someone in one’s life constantly undermines the relationship by hurting the person, backstabbing, being dishonest etc. Can you forgive and cut the person off? Can you not associate with the person so they don’t know intimate details about you to use against you?”
Answer:
“Yes please, cut off from people that are toxic and will always deliberately want to keep you offended, as much as possible stay away from that trap called offence… But don’t stop praying for them.”