Whenever we take offence we have set ourselves up to judge and blame someone for some perceived wrong doing or trespass . What is judgement? The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. The truth is that The Almighty is the only one who can accurately judge any matter. He alone can ascribe blame to the right people in the right proportion, including spirits.
When we judge without discernment we tend to excuse our own behavior and blame others including The Almighty, totally ignoring the demonic realm.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)
mathew 7 v 1-2
Another problem with judgement is that we usually do not practice separation of demons from the person in our analysis and this often have us blaming the person instead of the demons.
Jesus/Yashya turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God/Elohim, but merely human concerns.”
Mathew 16
When we practice separation of people from the evil spirit using them, we can say like Messiah ” Father forgive them for they know no what they do.” This helps us to forgive people instantly and pray for them instead of taking offense.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.“
James 5 v 13
In any given moment we can be used by a demon or The Set Apart Spirit.
Our response matters
If we feel offended based on our perception or judgement of others and what they have done. Our reaction to that offence is important. There are three main ways we can respond to offence:
~ We can forgive which is to release the person from any guilt by showing mercy and overlooking the offence.
Good sense makes a man slow to anger,
proverbs 25 v 2
and it is his glory/esteem to overlook an offense.
Then Peter came to Jesus/Yashya and asked, “Lord/Master, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus/Yashya answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
mathew 18 v 22
~ Or, We can hold unto the offence and by so doing start the process of unforgiveness hate bitterness and rejection. Offense can block your prayers, open doors for demons to enter or use us and stop us from getting healed and delivered. We can also cause offense by being tactless, unaware or prideful.
What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus/Yahshya saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
mathew 17 v 24-27
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness/set apartness, without which no one will see the Lord/Almighty. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God/Elohim, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many
hebrews 12 v 15
Handling offense
We can confront the person who offended us and set boundaries to help them if they are repentant or cut them off if they are not.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Assembly: but if he neglect to hear the Assembly, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Mathew 18But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the
judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
mathew 5 v25
Sin is offence towards The Almighty
So we do not get to decide what offends The Almighty. He does. He has given us His word as a guideline. He handles offence in the same way described above.
He sent Mashyach to die for our sins/offences so that He could forgive us. This forgiveness allows Him to overlook our sins and wink at our ignorance when we sin inadvertently.
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God/Elohim overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Acts 17
Repentance is required for us to access a close relationship with The Almighty. However, He has forgiven us in His son.
Therefore, as the elect of God/Elohim, holy/set apart and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord/Almighty forgave you.
How does The Almighty forgive. He placed our sins on Jesus/Yashyah and then he forgives everyone for what they have done to Him. He however uses boundaries to manage His relationship with us. Only allowing people who respect His boundaries and the covenant agreement close to Him. This allows Him to be at peace with all men.
Likewise we can assign blame to demons and forgive people and pray for their deliverance.
What causes Offense
A lot of times what cause offense is unmet expectations. We tend to expect others to be perfect and when they fail we get angry. Only The Almighty is perfect and putting that burden on people is Idolatry.
If we could instead expect imperfection and failure from humans then , when they do fail we would be more prepared to handle it.
Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?
Isiah 2 v 22
The truth is that this is easier said than done and we often do trust in man instead of trusting in The Almighty to handle all our affairs. And so when they fail we get offended. It is really misplaced trust and at no time should we take our eyes off The Almighty. He is truly the only one we can completely trust.
His laws and commandments are to help us to become more trustworthy and thus be able to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Offense is very subjective. What offends one person definitely does not offend another. It is all very relative. That is why the best way to determine what is truly offensive is to use the word of The Almighty as our standard and to seek His help to overlook everything else.
How offense affects the body
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:22 Because of the Almighty’s/Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Almighty’s/ Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”25 The Almighty/Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
Lamentation 3
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Almighty/ Lord.
If we entertain bitterness and unforgiveness it eventually destroys the body because it produces guilt and shame that has no outlet. Forgiveness is a requirement for us to enter the kingdom and receive the Father’s forgiveness.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the esteem, For ever and ever. Amen.
mathew 6