Good Morning Church!
We welcome you all to the house of our living God, Jesus Christ. We are thankful to God for speaking with us even through this fashion under ongoing circumstances. When you honor God, blessings are released from heaven!
Illustration: Once upon a time, there were two Bulls living in a jungle, and then there was also a lion. Lion had an eye on them to feed upon them, however the Bulls were too intelligent and United. After several tailed attempts, the lion met a cunning fox and plotted to separate them from eachother. The fox individually communicating with each bull telling how the other bull was talking bad about him. These both bulls felt offended and stoopped talking with each other, stopped walking together and stopped eating together. Lion became very happy and one day he attacked one bull as he was alone and ate him. The lion also gave the fox some part of its meat as a prize. Again in a separate daye, he attacked another bull as well.
Now what does this story tells us? Unity is important and together we can defeat enemy. However, if we are offended, we will certainly goung to lose and fall in satan’s trap.
Today again we will continue with our ongoing series on Enemy’s weapon, and today’s subject is, “Offence – Satan’s Bait!”
We have been offended many times. Times when I am not given importance, sometimes when people ignore us, the way we are treated, someone talking behind our back.
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
Luke 17:1
It is impossible to avoid as offences will come; considering the decree of God, the malice of satan, the wickedness of men, the corruption both of their principles and practices. This leads us to be bitter and we end up moving our eyes away from God.
If you are not going to keep this in check, then remember that enemy will use this weapon against us and make you feel offended, whatever the reasons may be. This is the satan’s prime bait to move you away from being close to God. Once the victim is trapped, he or she becomes a subject of satan, who will continue offending others through us and will end up being completely under satan’s trap and under enemy’s bondage.
When you do the work of God, expect distractions and offences because satan is already offended as his kingdom gets shattered whenever you are close to God.
When people are offended, there are instances when they form a group because of mutual insult or taken offence. And they end up forming groups and
talking about it, because it has become all about them and not about God or God’s kingdom.
If we are offended, we will not be able to experience the blessings of God or even God”s presence. The enemy will continue growing strong and his weapon will continue to grow.
One if the best example is the life of Cain and Abel. The offence lead to distruction and ended up with a life. Actually two lives, one lost and other one wasted.
What happens when we get offended?
1: It destroys our relationships with many people.
2: It stops our spiritual growth.
3: We cannot proclaim good news of God.
4: It devastates fellowships.
5: Divisions between families.
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
Proverbs 18:19
Any family that is broken will not prosper, any relationships broken will not do great things for God, any church divided and broken will not be able to show forth the love of God and will not be able to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ.
We must identify these things in our lives that whether satan has set a trap for us. Offences will come but if you are on guard you will be able to defend yourself easily. However, if you are not on guard, this satan’s weapon, “offence”, will bring chaos, pain in your heart and destruction in your life.
A person who is offended will refuse to communicate. Many people have moved away from their friendships, jobs, families just because they are offended. We are not to be separated, but are to stay together and stay in Christ.
Because of being offended, peoole have moved away from their destiny, God has planned for them.
Do not get offended because satan wants you to be offended. Enemy wants you to fall in this trap of being offended, which will eventually end you up in losing.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:23-26
Throught the Bible, there are many people who could have been offended. One of the prime example is from The book of Genesis, the life of Joseph. Joseph could have been offended after his brothers tried to kill him and later aold him to Egyptian travelers. He was wrongly convicted of the crime he never committed and was put in prison. While he was in prison for no reason, he could have been offended. When he spoke to the cup bearer, who later forgot to tell about Joseph, Joseph could have been offended. Joseph could have been offended when he was wrongly convicted by Pharaoh’s wife. Irrespective of all this situation, Joseph waa never offended by God, as he never let enemy trap him in enemy’s tricks.
He didn’t became offended because Joseph trusted in God unconditionally. When you are offended, you will not grow in Christ. Understand that God has a calling for you and we need to be on guard.
Has someone betrayed you or let you down, to the point that you feel offended, then you need to pray and and ask God fir help and tell Him to do whatever He has planned for your life.
Do not be a victim if enemy’s trap and follow the examples of Joseph and Job. More importantly, follow the example of Jesus.
Church, stay humble and satisfied in Christ and rebuke enemy’s plans in Jesus name. We hope you are encouraged with today’s message. We look forward to see you again next Sunday. God bless!