Erasing Offense 2023 by Duane Sheriff , also L. Miller and Dr. D. Husky
Defeating the Enemy’s Scheme to Destroy your Relationships. Intro. Satan thrives on fostering division, strife, and offense, and destroying relationships. James 3:16 “For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.” We need the tools to recognize, process, and avoid offense. Ps.119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” None of us is immune to the danger and temptation to take offense. Offense can ruin our relationships and hinder of blessings. Chap.1 the danger of offense. Offense hinders both believers and non believers. In the Parable of the sower, 2 threats relate to offense; Mark 4:15-19 We can’t bear fruits when we feel offended. Here are examples of bad effects of offense: King Saul took offense at David because of a ladies song 1Sam 18:8-9. Moses took offense and struck a rock disobeying God Numbers 20:7-8 Naaman took offense and almost lost his healing by Elisha Kings 5:1-14. Chap. 2 How Offense operates Jesus taught that receiving some offense is inescapable as in Luke 17:1 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” There are 3 types of offense: Imaginary, accidental and actual. Saul’s example above was Imaginary. In 2 Corin.10 Paul writes about vain imaginations or presumptions. Prov. 19:11 Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].” How to deal with actual offence? Matt. 18:16-19 Tell it to the offender, if that doesn’t work take witness with you. The Greek word for offenses is a trap stick. Its like a mouse trap with bait on it. IF the mouse takes the bait, he is caught. If you take the bait, it ensnares you with anger, hurt, unforgiveness and bitterness. There are 3 stages to offense: The first stage is self nursing it,the 2nd is we rehearse it over and over in our minds; third we disperse it to others. To reverse the offense we need to lay it at the feel of Jesus; if it progresses, repent and ask God’s help with it. Ps.34_18-19 “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as [a]have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Our pride is part of the trigger for the offense. Matt. 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Chap.3 Misunderstanding God’s nature. Heb. 1:3 “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”Jesus was God’s selfie -the word made flesh(John1:14) Many Christians have not been taught this truth. He has redeemed us from the curse of the Law(Gal 3:13). The cross ended the administration of wrath and curses for sin. God gave us the Law to show what sins was and how hard it is to keep the Law, so we need a savior.(Rom. 7:7, 8:1-4) . Rom8:14-16 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” By His grace we are loved, blessed and healed. This truth may offend the legalist ( Titus3:5-8), (1Cor. 1:18-24). God still searches for sinners and the lost sheep as in Luke 15:7. In the parable of the prodigal son, the brother takes offense at the repentance and return of the lost son (Luke 15:28-32) None of us are immune to offense or stumbling (Gal. 6:1-5) Chap. 4 Getting offended at God People may get offended at God for what they think are his unfulfilled promises. A second reason is their hearts are unprepared for christian suffering. Acts 24:16 warns against blaming God. You may be persecuted or slandered for serving for preaching Christ.( 1 Peter 4:12-14, 2:20). Here are 3 typed of christian suffering: 1 Christ suffering as our substitute. He suffered for our sickness and pain, but we have to recognize and pray against this. 2. Christ suffering as an example: If we suffer for being a good witness or doing the right thing, we need to bear it and rejoice. 3 suffering as a consequence: If we make bad ungodly decisions, we will likely suffer.(Gal 6:7-8) He has cleansed us with his blood (1John 1;7, Heb 9:14) Have clear conscious towards God (Acts 24:15-6) Chap. 5 Offense in the Culture Matt. 24:10 “Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.” Today people politicize science, and issues of race, gender and sexual orientation to create narratives of offense. The word system used Covid-19 to instill fear and usurp freedom.; shutting down our economy and schools to convince people the government can be their protector and savior. Many people are offended by God’s word and the truth, for then they would have to submit to it. Matt. 24:11-12 “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people, and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many people will grow cold.” One way to stay free of offense is to abound in God’s love as in 1John 4:8. Many people and the national media do not care about the truth, but in advancing their agenda. Rom. 1:18 “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.” Truth is not relative, but absolute and established by God. True morality is not subject to popular beliefs. Ones sex is not a matter of choice, but given by God as in Mark 10:8. Ps.119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. All that live godly in Christ shall suffer some persecution 2 Tim. 3:14. Chap. 6 A good defense against offense 2 Corin. 10:4 “Since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.” Our first defense is forgiveness as in Luke 17:3-4 and Matt.18-21-22. The next defense is giving thanks that God is with us. As in 1Peter 2:23 “When he was insulted, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he did not threaten. It was his habit to commit the matter to the one who judges fairly.” A 3rd defense is to focus on the kingdom and living for God, we may have some suffering. Also trust in God’s judgment. Chap 7. Releasing offense. Eph.4:32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Jesus said to love our neighbor as ourselves Matt. 22:39, but also it says in Lev.19:17-18 “You must not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” Here you can rebuke you neighbor of a sin, but not take revenge.
Summary of 8/9 lesson by Linda Miller on Surviving People-Reversing Offense
When we enter a house, We should bring peace and leave at peace. Mat:10:12-14 Don’t let rejection or offense stick to you. Shake it off and move on. The Devil always want s you to take sides, He wants division. We are to stop and ask is this about me(pride) or is it a kingdom issue? If it’s about me, just walk away; can say -OH Gee, I’ve got to go. If it’s a kingdom issue- bind, loose, and stand on the truth of scripture.
There are 4 types of offense: it’s all a trap
1.Imaginary example= 1 Samuel 18:6-8 Led to the death of king Saul and family
2.Accidental 2 Kings 5:1-17 Naaman healing; he overcame offense
3.Actual- with malice Need to counter this in a christian way and forgive
4.Borrowed-listening to or talking on offense of another person
As In Luke 17:1-2 We will receive offenses , but we should not spread them.
There are 3 steps in offense: You nurse it, rehearse it, and disperse it. Doing this multiplies grief , sorrow and division. 1 Corin. 10:32 says Give no offense.
In making a decision consider these 2 options:
What is the worst case scenario of it? and What is the best case scenario of it?
In offering a correction to someone pray about it first: then use a love sandwich.
Love statement first
‘Give Correction’
Love statement again By J. Tofflemire
Summary of 8/14 lesson by Linda Miller
She talked of “Let not your heart be troubled” John 14:1 as if it’s a choice if you let it be troubled; there are bad effects of this. It could be from stewing over offenses. She said Jesus came “to heal the brokenhearted” Isaiah 61:1 so we can pray for this.
Do not promote pity with a person feeling self pity, They need healing by prayer to get over it.
So if you encounter something that offends you, first take it to God and pray, is it Imagined? Then, let it go! Is it Accidental? Believe the best; let it go!
Is it Actual? Go to them- talk one on one to them, as in Matthew 18:15-17
Is it Borrowed? Tell the person that dispersed it to you, that they need to work it out with that person, one on one.
God will help you overcome the offense, If you do not nurse it, rehears it or disperse it. Instead lay it at the feet of Jesus, Forgive; allow God to reverse it.
Here is a video by Dr. David Husky in overcoming Offense, Its a very important topic https://www.youtube.com/live/oOBBZGGy9TE?si=-6GMO1q8bJfimsOH