Eloise was just sure Patty was mad at her for some unknown
reason, because Patty just walked right past her without saying “hello.”
John and Theresa left their church because they felt lonely, unappreciated and overlooked.
Paula slept on the edge of the mattress because she felt
Brian owed her a big apology. Brian
turned his back to her and went to sleep.
Big tears slid down Paula’s cheeks and sleep refused to come, as angry thoughts
ran laps in her mind.
Leslie couldn’t believe her ears. Mary, with whom she had prayed and entrusted
the secret of a painful affair in her past, told another friend, and now the
whole church knew. She felt totally
betrayed.
Clara looked wide-eyed at Lois. How had she lost all that weight? How dare she come around flaunting stiletto
heels, dressed to the nines, and sporting a new hairdo? How could she afford those clothes? Clara looked down at the lumps and bumps on
her own overweight body and her three-year-old Christmas outfit. She fought back the tears as she thought of
her husband’s cut in pay and financial struggles. Suddenly she just wanted to
get out of there -- leave the family Christmas gathering.
*****
The spirit of offense is a terrible thing that can grow into
a root of bitterness in our very souls if not dealt with immediately. We can feel offended when people seem better
off than we are, don’t agree with our opinions, overlook our accomplishments,
are rude, mistreat us, etc. A spirit of
offense causes people to feel wounded, misunderstood, hurt, angry, resentful,
envious, and jealous. A spirit of
offense makes you want to change somebody else and control them. A spirit of offense makes you blame others
instead of looking at yourself. Makes you want to prove you’re right. A spirit of offense causes one to
misunderstand another and wrongly judge another’s motives. It’s the spirit behind murders and school
shootings, acts of arson and violence of every sort. It’s a spirit from the pit of hell itself.
We believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, having received the
grace of God, must be a light to the world by heeding the scripture in Hebrews
12:15 NIV: “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter
root grows up to defile many.” We must
give grace to others; “freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 NIV
A bitter root begins to grow if we're not established in
grace. The Hebrews scripture above tells
us first of all that we are to see to it that no one misses the grace of
God. What does it mean to miss the grace of
God? Let me ask you this question: if we
Christians understood how much God has forgiven us, would we refuse to forgive
someone else? If we understood that God
approves of us, would we be resentful, envious or jealous of someone else? If we understood that we are forgiven and
cleansed of our sins, would we feel insecure? No, understanding and
experiencing these truths would establish us in grace and make us a very
thankful people.
But if we believers are not established in grace, we’ll take
the bait in satan’s trap of offense.
Consider that in order to snare an animal, a trapper has to bait the
trap to lure the creature. If we don’t
take the bait (entertain thoughts of offense), no harm will come to us. We must watch out for satan’s traps and not
take his bait. The possibilities to be
offended are as endless as the list of our relationships. The truth is, only those you care about can
hurt you.
By refusing to forgive, or believe the best of others, or
having an “it’s all about me” attitude, an evil spirit of offense moves in and
takes up residence in our souls. Our
minds, wills, and emotions become deeply affected. It colors everything we see, hear, and
do. A root of bitterness begins to grow
like a cancer that destroys marriages, breaks up close friends, keeps people
out of church, causes backsliding, breaks up families, inhibits or destroys our
own God-given potential, topples businesses, and corrupts governments. It sucks the life and joy out of everything. The root of bitterness feeds on
selfishness. And selfishness is the sin
of pride in every human heart.
Consider that roots are a source of nutrition to feed what’s
above ground, that which is seen. Roots
are hidden. A person can seem totally
fine, but have deep roots of bitterness hidden in them. Sooner or later, the fruit will appear from the
root. We must be rooted and grounded in
love, as Ephesians 3:16-19 says. As long
as we are in this physical body and have relationships with others, the
opportunity to be offended will surely come.
Those who cause offense are likely those we sit in church
with, sing with, spend holidays with, attend social functions with, sleep with,
confide in, work with, or have grown up with.
“The home, which is meant to be a shelter of protection, provision and
growth where we learn to give and receive love, is often the very root of our
pain.” Quote from the book The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.
James 1:19-20 is to be heeded: “My dear brothers, take note
of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become
angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
desires.” Another pertinent scripture is
James chapter 4.
For more on this deep topic of taking offense, I recommend
John Bevere’s book The Bait of Satan. Here’s also a wonderful website for further
study:
Dear one, if you are continually feeling wounded, and angry,
blaming somebody else, take an honest look into your heart. Chances are you may find a root of bitterness
that you have allowed to grow there. God
sent His Word and healed us; His Word in your heart is the answer. I proclaim liberty for you in Jesus’ Name!
What is the fruit of your root? May your root be nourished in love, as found in I
Corinthians 13: 1-8a, NIV: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking. It is not easily angered;
it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. Love never
fails.” In other words, love doesn’t
take offense!
Don’t take the bait.
Don’t take offense. Focus on the
grace of God in your life.
May God’s grace produce the fruit of love that blossoms and
grows in your home, family, and personal relationships. I bless you in Jesus’
Name to that end!
Copyright © 2012 Elaine Beachy
