I want to talk with family this morning, my brothers & sisters in Christ. The Bible tells us to be aware of the schemes of the enemy. This morning I want to give you a heads up in one of his most used tactics – offense.
You see this one sneaks up on us. Often we see it as being discerning, standing up for what is right. But more often than not, it’s hurt and disappointment. Now, I’m not saying there will never be tension and disagreement in the Body of Christ. Paul called out Peter for his hypocrisy. But when that tension and disagreement causes you to separate or stop the work you have begun, the enemy wins.
The enemy’s goal is to prevent you from moving forward in your gift, in your call. Reflect for a moment. How often before you are about to take new ground in the Kingdom does the opportunity to be offended arise? He wants you to stop focusing on advancing the Kingdom and begin focusing on the faults and shortcomings of others.
So how do we overcome being offended?
1. Recognize that God sees that person in Christ – holy, without blame, and unaccusable. Ask God for spiritual eyes to see them like He sees them.
2. Ask God to help you steward your heart well with the things you see in the natural or things you have discerned in the Spirit. Ask God how to love in the midst of hurt, how to forgive when you are mistreated, how to trust when you have been lied on or lied to.
3. Remind your offender who God has called them to be. Remind them of their destiny. Remind them that they are Holy and blameless in His sight.
4. Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on the work God has called you to do. Do not get sidetracked by accusations, by the perceived faults of others. Keep advancing the Kingdom. Keep moving forward.
Remember brothers and sisters, God who is holy and sinless sees us as holy and without fault. Who are we, to see others as anything less?
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—”
Colossians 1:22 NIV