For an offense to occur, there must be two parties: the attacking party and the victim. The attack can be intentional or unintentional, perceived or real. Regardless of the nature, offense is a door that we open when we choose to walk in our flesh in dealing with it.  Allowing our feelings and emotions to tell us what is true, is walking in our flesh. When we enter the room of offenses, we will gain insight and grounds that justify our presence there. Our case will intensify about how we deserve compensation.  Unfortunately, the door we have opened is the broad way that Jesus warned us not to go on. It leads us to destruction and away from Him.  We will not see what is true because we have been snared into deception.  Our carnal heart is what is leading us, that is desperately wicked and should never be trusted. 

We must make sure we enter through the narrow gate where our flesh (feelings and emotions) do not rule over us. Instead, we go to the Word of God and yield to His headship in what we face.  Jesus has told us that we will know the truth when we abide in the Word. The truth will set us free.  Free from what?  Ourselves and the deception we fall into through our flesh senses.  The Lord will give us clarity. He will offer wisdom for walking through places where there has been an offense. 

Offenses will come. They are excellent for testing us. They prove where our weakness is. They show where we need to be strengthened in the Lord.  The power of God cannot work in unyielded vessels. We must be careful. From the start, we must make ourselves available to the Lord. We should lay down before Him unto the Word.  Often the work the Lord is doing requires intensive care, and so let us get out of His way! 

There will always be offenses.  Our work is to see if we are easily offended or if we have unresolved offense in our hearts. When we decide that our hearts won’t rule us, we will partner with the Lord. We will join in the work He wants to achieve.

Jesus was misunderstood.  He was nailed to the cross by false accusation.  He trusted that His Father would deal with His defense.  His last words to His accusers were, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’  We are called to walk in the same path Jesus took.  Only then, will we experience resurrection life to overcome and know what freedom is. 

May God grant us His grace to avoid walking in the door of offense.