Have you ever considered how one moment of offence can change the course of a relationship, a friendship, or even your future?

Reader, one of satan's most subtle traps is offence. Like any successful trap, it is hidden and baited. The enemy knows that if he can get you to take the bait, he can lead you into bitterness, resentment, anger, division and unforgiveness.

Luke 17:1 (NKJV)

...It is impossible that no offenses should come...

Jesus makes it clear that opportunities to become offended will come. In our relationships, families, friendships and everyday interactions, there will be moments when people disappoint us, misunderstand us or treat us unfairly. The question is not whether offence will come, but whether we will take it.

Having served in ministry for over 10 years, I've seen how easily people can take offence and, without even realising it, allow that offence to become a root of bitterness. What often begins as a small hurt can eventually influence our decisions, our relationships and even the direction of our lives.

Luke 10:7 (NKJV)

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Jesus gave His disciples instructions concerning remaining in the house that received them, rather than moving from house to house. There is a principle here worth considering. There is something powerful about being planted rather than constantly moving whenever circumstances become uncomfortable. We must learn to weather the storms, receive spiritual nourishment and grow through difficult seasons. God wants us to develop roots, not simply move wherever things seem easier. There is a difference between being planted and being constantly uprooted.

Reader, you can be wronged without becoming offended. You can experience disappointment without allowing bitterness to take root. Someone else's actions do not give you permission to step outside the love of God.

Revelation 3:18 (NKJV)

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich….

Jesus instructed the church of Laodicea to buy from Him gold refined in the fire. Pure gold is soft, tender and pliable. But when foreign metals are mixed into it, it becomes harder. Likewise, when we allow offence, bitterness and resentment to remain in our hearts, our hearts become hardened.

Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV)

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The writer warns us about the deceitfulness of sin hardening our hearts. This is dangerous because a hardened heart loses its sensitivity to the voice of God. Our spiritual vision becomes clouded, and we can find ourselves making decisions based on hurt rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 3:18 (NKJV)

...anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Notice that Jesus also instructed the church to anoint their eyes so they could see. Sometimes the greatest deception is not what someone else has done to us, but what has happened inside our own hearts.

Reader, pride assumes, but humility asks. Instead of constantly examining what someone else did wrong, have you stopped to ask God to examine your own heart?

In Psalm 55:12–14, David describes the pain of being betrayed, not by an enemy, but by someone who was once close to him. Even those closest to us can hurt us. Yet our response must always be governed by love.

Galatians 5:6 (NKJV)

…faith working through love.

There is nothing more important than learning to walk in the love of God. Your faith, your prayers, your giving and your spiritual walk cannot be separated from the condition of your heart.

So let me ask you something today. Could the lack of clarity you're experiencing, the relationships you've lost, or even the direction of your life be connected to an offence you have never released? Could you have walked away from a divine relationship or a place where God wanted you planted because you took the bait?

on't allow one moment of offence to cost you what God has prepared for your future.
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Take a moment today, sit quietly before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to examine your heart.

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, search my heart and expose anything within me that is not pleasing to You. Show me where I have allowed offence, bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness to take root. Forgive me for stepping outside of Your love. Today, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me, and I release them from my heart. I choose to forgive myself, let go of the past and refuse to carry yesterday's pain into my future. I will not take the bait of satan. I will walk in love, remain tender towards Your voice and trust You to vindicate me. From this day forward, I walk free, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Remember, Reader: You cannot always control what comes your way, but you can control what you allow to remain in your heart. Don't take the bait!

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