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DON'T TAKE THE BAIT—1

“The Trap of being Offended”

OF ALL THE WAYS SATAN CAN DESTROY YOU THE TRAP OF OFFENSE MAY BE HIS MOST HIDDEN WEAPON.

1.    It is impossible to avoid being offended

2.   Even if you escape one offense, the creative ways you can get baited are endless.

“Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should come…’” Luke 17:1 (NKJV)

OFFENSE

 Skandalon: the bait that triggers a trap to close when an animal touches it

ANYTIME YOU HOLD ONTO AN OFFENSE, YOU PUT  BITTERNESS IN YOUR HEART.

HOLDING ONTO AN OFFENSE ALLOWS  BITTERNESS TO SINK ITS FANGS INTO YOUR HEART.

GOD’S PLANS FOR YOUR FUTURE ARE TOO BIG TO HOLD ONTO AN OFFENSE FROM YOUR PAST.

AVOIDING AN OFFENSE IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT LIVING OFFENDED IS A CHOICE.

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11

1. NOT EVERYONE OVERLOOKS AN OFFENSE, ONLY THE WISEST PEOPLE DO.

2. WHEN YOU OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE, IT’S “TO ONE’S GLORY” WHICH MEANS - YOU BECOME “MAGNIFICENT”

3. TO OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE MEANS TO “PASS OVER OR STEP OVER” IT.

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Proverbs 10:19

“Your friends don’t need an answer, and your enemies won’t believe you no matter what you say.”

4. TO STEP OVER AN OFFENSE, YOU OFTEN HAVE TO CLOSE THE GAP WITH LOVE. 

“ASSUME THE BEST”

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”

PROVERBS 10:12

ACCUSE – assume the worst about someone’s intentions

LOVE – assume the best about someone’s intentions

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

PROVERBS 19:11

CHALLENGE:

1. NAME something you are offended by right now.

2. Decide to step over it. LET IT GO.