Have you ever been offended? I think the answer is a resounding, yes! If you’ve lived on planet earth for any length of time, I think it’s accurate to say that you’ve had many opportunities to be offended but hopefully, you haven’t always taken the offense.
Why am I discussing this? Because taking and holding offenses can be deadly. We always have a choice.
Let’s begin with the word offense which comes from the Greek word skandalon. This word refers to a particular part of an animal trap – the stick that holds open the door. When the animal comes close to get the bait, the stick falls down and so does the door, trapping the animal.
That’s what offense does when you let it take hold in you. It’s the stick that’s holding the door open and when you “take” the offense to heart, it drops and traps you in the devil’s evil wiles.
So what can we do? Keep a pure heart. If someone offends you, forgive and let it go. The price it costs to keep the offense is never worth it.
Not only that. If you keep the offense, it will eventually become a root of bitterness and will negate your faith. You can’t be in unforgiveness and in faith at the same time. The cancel out each other.
So, dear brothers and sisters, take inventory and check if you’re holding any offense. If so, forgive and let it go and continue to guard your heart from any future offense. Time is short and we still have much to do before Jesus comes back for us!
Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Luke 17:1 (KJV) 1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Mark 11:25-26 (KJV) 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
—Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 