EXPOSING THE ENEMY'S GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST THE CHURCH

Satan has always hated the church which is the Bride of Christ.

One of his greatest weapons to destroy and deactivate the church is OFFENSE.

When people are offended and don't immediately forgive and forget the offense, there is a downward progression of decay that begins.

What is an offense? It is when someone's feelings are hurt. Something that is said or done to cause pain or displeasure.

Here are some common and simple examples:

- They didn't ask me to be a deacon?
- Why wasn't I consulted about the job?
- They won't let me play in the band.
- He always forgets to say Hi to me.
- Why did that person quit coming to the church, they aren't telling all.
- Who made the decision to close the nursery after church, I disagree.
- They never include me.

In Luke 17:1, Jesus says everyone of us will be offended. What we do about this offense will determine our walk with God.

Satan uses offenses as a trap to catch you and stop any church growth from happening.

Many churches across the world have stopped forward momentum because of a simple offense that escalated.

Matt. 24:10 Clearly shows us that when a person is offended and holds on to the offense, it will grow into betrayal, which will eventually lead to hatred.

Offenses are the bait Satan uses to cause individuals to be hurt, hold a grudge, cause resentment, then grumbling and eventually, cold love and backsliding.

Holding on to offenses bears fruit that causes further damage:

Hurt which leads to anger.
Anger leads to outrage and jealousy.
Jealousy leads to resentment and strife.
Strife leads to bitterness and hatred.

Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are:

Insults..wounding..division..separation..broken relationships..betrayal..backsliding..isolation..and more.

Often those who are offended do not realize that they are trapped.

They are oblivious to their condition because they are so focused on the wrong that was done to them. They often are in denial.

Freedom from offense is essential if you and I want to live an effective Christian life.

I have seen the heavens close on a person who has picked up an offense and then begins to spread his/her bitterness to others.

(Ps. 55:12-14) Most often it is a fellow believer who hurts us. This causes the offense to feel like a betrayal. The closer the relationship, the more severe the offense.

2 Tim. 2:24-26 When we are offended and carry the offense we fall into the snare of the enemy.

Even if we were mistreated, we have no right to carry an offense. Two wrongs don't make a right.

When we refuse to deal with the offense, more and worse fruit will follow such as bitterness and hatred.

This removes our sensitivity to God and our ability to follow His direction.

Old Town is growing. God has raised up several ministries from the church and people are coming to Christ each week and witnessing to their families and friends.

This angers Satan and he will do anything he can to stop us. The primary weapon in his arsenal is offense.

The steps to resist harboring an offense are:
1. Forgive quickly and completely.
2. Practice love (agape type of Love). When you love someone with a pure heart, they can offend you but your love will not allow you to hold anything against them.
3. Don't rehearse the offense to yourself or to anyone else.
4. Think on things that are good and Godly. Phil. 4:8

When you sow forgiveness and love, you will reap the same. Gal. 6:8-9

Matt. 7:15 tells us that wolves always go after the wounded sheep, not the healthy ones.

Often the thing that looks like the ruin of God's plan actually ends up being the road to it's fulfillment, only if we stay in obedience and free from offense.

Satan wants to uproot men and women from the church that they are planted in.

Ps. 92:13 These are trees planted and their root system has grown. They have weathered many storms and become stronger because of them.

If we don't run from spiritual resistance, our root system will grow strong and deep.

Once you leave the place God has planted you, your root system begins to wither and shrink.

The next time you leave, it will be easier because your roots have not grown deep and taken hold.

You will come to the place where you have little or no strength to endure hardship or persecution.

Offended Christians also cut off their own ability to produce fruit, and their own families will suffer because of it.

Often these people feel they are present day Jeremiahs (everyone is out to get them).

They are deceived and they don't even know it.

Our character is developed only as we work through conflicts. A person who doesn't forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them.

Let's have purpose in our hearts, before an offense happens, to be loving Christians and to forgive them immediately. This will prevent the spreading of discord inside and outside of the church through our words or actions. This will also preserve "the Unity of the Spirit" in the Body of Christ.

By: Donald H. Dinninger, Pastor

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Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in fulfilling the great commission by reaching the lost by showing god's love in our communities and beyond..



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