Many people never become what God desires them to be because they get offended. They get bitter. Offense becomes a stumbling block to them, and they never

progress beyond that point. They are the loser and the

devil is the winner

We easily see that offense is what Satan uses to lure people into full-blown cases of

bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness. Satan uses offense to cause us to stumble

and fail to go forward with God

The spirit of offense poisons lives and attitudes. The spirit of offense poisons lives and attitudes. According to Vine's Complete Expository According to Vine's Complete Expository

Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the word offense is derived from a Greek word the word offense is derived from a Greek word skandalon, which "originally was 'the name of skandalon, which "originally was 'the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached, the part of a trap to which the bait is attached,

hence, the trap or snare itself....'" It was the part hence, the trap or snare itself....'" It was the part of the trap that lured or snared an animal.of the trap that lured or snared an animal.

Conquering the spirit of offense.Conquering the spirit of offense.

Jesus is saying to watch out, or take heed Jesus is saying to watch out, or take heed because offense are going to come because offense are going to come

Things will come across your life like a bait Things will come across your life like a bait to trap you and if you take that bait, then to trap you and if you take that bait, then you are going to fall into the pit that satan you are going to fall into the pit that satan has set for you.has set for you.

The secret of receiving unlimited blessings The secret of receiving unlimited blessings from God is not to pick up and carry from God is not to pick up and carry around offenses.around offenses.

offenses hinders your blessings. offenses hinders your blessings.

Unforgiveness comes as a result of offenses. Unforgiveness comes as a result of offenses. Acts 24:16.Acts 24:16.

Paul is saying that we have to work hard at not Paul is saying that we have to work hard at not being offended, Offended at others blessingsbeing offended, Offended at others blessingsCain was offended at Abel's blessings Cain was offended at Abel's blessings

John 6:60,66 The disciples became offended at John 6:60,66 The disciples became offended at the messages of Jesus and they left him.the messages of Jesus and they left him.

Many church members get offendedMany church members get offendedBecause the Pastor never ask them to teach Because the Pastor never ask them to teach preach or sing.They walk around harboring an preach or sing.They walk around harboring an offense in their heart.offense in their heart.

How many church members have you seen leave offended and go from one church to another, but they are never satisfied, They continue to live their lives with an Offended

heart and never fully grow spiritually.

The spirits of offense severely The spirits of offense severely and negatively affect the and negatively affect the

believer by: (1) limiting our believer by: (1) limiting our potential and holding us back; potential and holding us back;

(2) hindering relationship (2) hindering relationship development and health; (3) development and health; (3) voiding positive influence on voiding positive influence on

others; and (4) stifling our others; and (4) stifling our spiritual growth.spiritual growth.

• As a basic and primary rule God cannot work for us if we try to work for ourselves. Therefore, if we are falsely accused and try to defend ourselves we do it alone. God will still be with us, but He will not be able to work for us.

• The opposite of peace is anger. The Holy Spirit cannot work when we are angry. He can only work when we are at peace.