The Bait Of Satan

1. Recognize the destructive power of offense and its prevalence

One of his most deceptive and insidious kinds of bait is something every Christian has encountered—offense.

Offense as Satan's bait. The enemy uses offense as a subtle trap to ensnare believers. When we pick up an offense, it produces negative fruits such as hurt, anger, jealousy, resentment, and bitterness. These emotions can lead to more serious consequences like broken relationships, betrayal, and backsliding.

Widespread impact. Offense is rampant in churches, families, and communities. It often goes unrecognized, as people focus on the wrong done to them rather than their own response. This blindness perpetuates a cycle of hurt and division, hindering spiritual growth and unity among believers.

2. Understand that offenses are inevitable, but our response determines our future

Our response to an offense determines our future.

Inevitability of offenses. Jesus stated that it is impossible to live without encountering opportunities to be offended. This reality means that we must be prepared to face offenses throughout our lives.

Choice in response. While we cannot control whether offenses come our way, we have full control over how we respond to them. Our reaction to offense can either lead us into a trap of bitterness and resentment or become an opportunity for growth and character development.

• Negative responses: Harboring unforgiveness, seeking revenge, becoming bitter
• Positive responses: Choosing forgiveness, seeking reconciliation, growing in love and patience

3. Avoid the trap of self-preservation through offense

Acquiring an offense keeps you from seeing your own character flaws because blame is deferred to another.

The illusion of protection. Holding onto an offense can create a false sense of self-protection. By blaming others, we avoid facing our own flaws and areas that need growth.

Stunted spiritual growth. When we use offense as a shield, we hinder God's work in our lives. We become blind to our own shortcomings and miss opportunities for personal development and spiritual maturity.

Signs of self-preservation through offense:

• Constantly blaming others for problems
• Difficulty accepting criticism or correction
• Isolating oneself from relationships to avoid potential hurt

4. Build your life on the revealed Word of God, not others' opinions

What we learn in the presence of God cannot be learned in the presence of men.

Foundation of revelation. True spiritual stability comes from building our lives on God's revealed Word, not on the opinions or teachings of others. This revelation comes through personal time spent in God's presence.

Weathering storms. When our foundation is built on God's Word, we can withstand the storms of life, including offenses and persecution. This stability allows us to maintain our faith and integrity even in difficult circumstances.

Ways to build on God's revealed Word:

• Regular personal Bible study and meditation
• Seeking God's guidance through prayer
• Applying biblical principles to daily life decisions

5. Use your liberty in Christ to serve, not assert your rights

Jesus offended some people by obeying His Father, but He never caused an offense in order to assert His own rights.

Freedom for service. The liberty we have in Christ is not meant for self-assertion or personal gain, but for serving others. Jesus exemplified this by laying down His rights to fulfill His Father's will.

Avoiding unnecessary offense. While we may sometimes offend others by obeying God, we should never intentionally cause offense to assert our own rights or preferences. Our focus should be on building others up and promoting unity in the body of Christ.

Examples of using liberty to serve:

• Abstaining from certain practices for the sake of weaker believers
• Prioritizing others' needs over personal preferences
• Willingly sacrificing personal rights for the good of the community

6. Forgive others as God has forgiven you

A person who cannot forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them.

Magnitude of God's forgiveness. Remembering the enormous debt of sin that God has forgiven us puts our offenses against others into perspective. Our sins against God far outweigh any wrong done to us by others.

Conditional forgiveness. Jesus taught that our forgiveness from God is directly linked to our willingness to forgive others. Refusing to forgive can have severe spiritual consequences, including hindering our own relationship with God.

Steps to cultivate a forgiving heart:

• Regularly reflect on God's forgiveness towards you
• Practice empathy and compassion towards offenders
• Release the right to seek revenge or harbor bitterness

7. Overcome offense through humility and prayer

You grow more from the most challenging offenses—the ones for which you have not been trained.

Humility as the key. Recognizing our own vulnerability to offense and need for God's help is crucial in overcoming deep hurts. Humility allows us to admit when we're offended and seek God's healing.

Power of prayer. Praying for those who have offended us, as Jesus commanded, can transform our hearts and release us from the bondage of unforgiveness. This practice aligns our hearts with God's love and compassion.

Practical steps to overcome offense:

• Admit when you're hurt instead of denying it
• Fast and pray for God's help in forgiving
• Actively pray blessings over those who have offended you
• Replace negative thoughts with positive ones about the offender

Last updated: October 21, 2024