Exposing Controlling Spirits Pt 3

Text: Luke 17:1, 2 King 5, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:26, 1 Cor. 13, Proverbs 12:10, 18:19, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 24:12, 2 Cor. 12:10
Luke 17:1 - offense will come. 

One scholar notes that it could be translated, “It is simply unthinkable that you would allow yourself to dream that you could live this life without an opportunity to become offended.…”

  But what is an offense? 

The word “offense” comes from the Greek word skandalon, from which we get the word scandal. 

The word skandalon originally described the small piece of wood that was used to keep the door of an animal trap propped open. 

A piece of food was placed inside the trap to lure the animal inside. 

When the animal entered the trap and accidentally bumped the skandalon, or the small piece of wood, the skandalon collapsed, causing the trap door to slam shut and the animal to be caught inside with no way to escape.

An offense usually occurs when you see, hear, or experience a behavior that is so different from what you expected that it causes you to falter, totter, and wobble in your soul. 

You are so stunned by what you have witnessed or by a failed expectation that you lose your footing emotionally. 

Before you know it, you are dumbfounded and flabbergasted about something. Then your shock turns into disbelief; your disbelief into disappointment; and your disappointment into offense.

Matthew 24:12 - lawless living causes love to wither. 

Recognize the root: Understand that bitterness and deep resentment act as traps meant to steal your peace.

Everyone will be carry offense. 

Offense makes it hard to have compassion. 

Offense means they have control over you. 

Proverbs 10:12

2 Kings 5 - Naaman 

Proverbs 18:19 - 

“It is easier to conquer a strong city
than to win back a friend whom you’ve offended.
Their walls go up, making it nearly impossible to win them back.” 

- didn’t get recognized. 
- they didn’t reach out to me. 
- you saw me doing that and didn’t offer to help me. 
- you took their side. 
- you didn’t share my feelings. 

Offense comes when we judge other people’s actions through the lens of our own insecurity. 

The devil don’t cause the offense he will inflame it.

Progression of Offense:

- Offense 

- Hurt

- Bitterness

- Resentment and division 
- Offense is the beginning of division.

- You know it’s turned to bitterness when you start telling others. 

- You feel the pain even when they are not around.  

- If you take the offense you will take it with you. 

Hebrews 12:15 - Bitterness spreads  

Know your capacity. If you go past your capacity it becomes an emergency. 

Guard your mind: Reject negative thoughts, defensiveness, and a victim mentality by focusing on God's perspective. 

2 Corinthians 2:10

Ephesians 4:26

1. Expect offense to come. 
2. Choose forgiveness quickly. -   
   1. Release the debt or hurt you feel the other person owes you through active, intentional choice.
   2. Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:26
3. Forgiveness closes the door on bitterness. 
4. Love is the greatest defense against offense. 
   1. 1 Cor. 13

• If you want to guard your heart from offense, you have to guard your thoughts and words.

- Illustration: count to 10 

• We need others to get on our side.  - venting on social media.