22/08/2026
Christian Living-
Christians must not bear grudges.
We must refuse to hold on to issues and have things “against" others. By these I mean things that will cause disaffection, break down communication and create tension amongst fellow brethren.
We are taught to forgive.
Luke 17: 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
This was even before the New Creation was made manifest.
In the epistles, we are to forgive without conditions.
Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
This is the rule and principle in the New Creation. It must be practiced because it is our nature.
Ephesians 5: 1 Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. (Amplified Bible)
That is well said.
Whenever we feel hurt by the actions people and we refuse to deal with it in love, we fall into the trap of offence. When offence sets in, then all other "Siamese" of unforgiveness will have a free course.
OFFENCE IS A VERY BAD STATE FOR ANY BELIEVER.
At times we claim "I am so hurt and bitter, I don’t know how to forgive”.
Not so! You are a child of God. If you can’t forgive, then you are not His Child!
Let us see a few things offences will do to us.
When we are offended at people, churches, persons we will not see what God is doing and will work in dishonour against the plans and purposes of God.
Don’t leave a church and be in offence, God might still intend to use the church to bless you.
Don’t leave a relationship and stay offended, God might still use the partner, friend, associate as a vessel for you.
Don’t leave a company and stay offended, God might still have doors for you in that organisation.
Let’s see how deep offences can get.
Matthew 11: 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me
Strange.
Why would John say such about Jesus?
He questioned Jesus' ministry.
He told his disciples. He created such impression in the hearts of others.
Hear John earlier on.
John 1: 29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
This was John’s testimony before he was offended.
WHEN YOU ARE OFFENDED YOU DON’T SEE WHAT GOD IS DOING.
We leave churches that had blessed us and call them names. That was not our testimony before offence set in.
John must have felt bitter about Jesus’ style, words, and actions.
Matthew 11: 2 says he heard of Jesus' ministry.
How often have we reacted to things we heard and this caused offence?
John questioned Jesus' ministry. His calling. His teaching.
Many times we do this out of grievances. Unresolved issues. Our emotions are involved. We feel aggrieved.
You can’t be blessed when you are offended.
Mark 6: 1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
The power of God "ceased” to work because of offence.
Offences cause strife.
Strife is of the devil.
James 3: 14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (Amplified Bible)
Refuse to be bitter about your ex (husband, wife, boss, colleague, place of work), refuse to be bitter about your former church or Pastor!
STOP THE OFFENCE AND WALK IN THE WORD, LOVE, THE SPIRIT!
Blessed? I refuse to be offended at ANYONE; I walk in love, in the spirit not in the flesh.
Jesus is lord,We win!
