I have noticed in my life, right before a breakthrough is a temptation to get offended.
Elisha was Elijah’s assistant. Elijah was about to be taken by the Lord. Three times Elijah tried to separate from Elisha. But Elisha was steadfast. He refused be offended by his master’s attempts to leave him. Elisha knew if he did not leave his master, a blessing was on the way.
Offense is a stealer of blessings.
Offense is a broken GPS.
Offense disguises itself as the Holy Spirit and “leads” people to make life altering changes.
As I write this, offense is knocking at my door. Well, actually it knocked and I invited it in and had dinner with it.
But this morning, through this story of Elisha and Elijah, I’ve decided, offense has to go. I’ve decided to cling to the promises of God and not to allow offense to steer my life. I’ve decided not to give up on people because Offense is vying for my heart.
If offense is knocking at your door or if you’ve invited him in and are allowing him to live in your guest house, join me in evicting his deceiving butt.
1. Repent. Change your mind about the people with whom you are holding a grudge. We are all being perfected. Which means we are all flawed. Perhaps, the person who hurt you is doing the best they can. Most likely, they hurt you out of their own brokenness. See them not as they are but how God created them. List five good qualities about the person or organization and meditate on that.
2. Forgive. God, who is holy and without sin, chose to forgive you time and time again. He forgave you when you were unrepentant. Now, take that same forgiveness you received and forgive your offenders.
3. Release. Most offense occurs when we give people power over our lives they should not have. We are offended because, “they hurt our feelings,” “they overlooked us,” “they didn’t meet our needs.” But no one should carry such influence in our lives. All of our needs should be met in Jesus. Release people from doing what only
Jesus can. People were not meant to carry such a heavy burden and we set ourselves up for disappointment (and offense) when we give others the power to make us happy.
So are you ready to get rid of offense? Pray this with me:
“Father, I thank you that you and you alone are enough for me. I command the spirit of offense and all its partners such as unforgiveness, anger, and entitlement to go now in the name of Jesus. I receive your love, your forgiveness, your favor. I repent from thinking ill of my brother. I offer forgiveness to those who hurt me and I release them from the position I have wrongly given them.
Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I break all alliances with the spirit of offense. Give me wisdom to recognize when I have partnered with it or when it is tempting me to partner with it. I declare in the name of Jesus, I am free from offense and I am free to love unconditionally those who have hurt me. Amen”
“When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.””
2 Kings 2:9-10 NLT