. “The spirit of offense simply means we were hurt by someone and struggle in our spirit to let the offense go. Walking around with a spirit of offense, whether the hurt is big or small, can leave us spiritually and emotionally broken.” Mary Armand[1]
A spirit of offense is not a mysterious, unknown spirit circling around us. Joseph’s brothers were offended because his father made him a special coat. This offense colored how they heard Joseph’s dreams.
Genesis 37:3Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. [2]
How Can I Overcome the Trap of Being Offended?
- Admit to yourself that you have been offended. Fifty percent of the battle of overcoming being an alcoholic is telling others, “I am John Smith, and I am an alcoholic.” It is only when I begin to acknowledge what I am offended that the healing process can begin. Don’t worry if your offense is real or imagined.
- Turn to the Lord in prayer. Being offended can be a deep wound and difficult to overcome in your own power. In prayer we can simply come to God in humility and admit we need His help to move forward. Not only do we need to admit what the problem is, but we need to admit we need God’s help. Philippians 4:13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.[3] We can be overcomers with the Lord’s help.
- Forgive the person or persons who offended you. Bitterness is self-destructive and is another trap the enemy will use against us. Turn to the Lord for help to forgive those who caused the offense. The Lord wants us to depend on Him because it is part of the Christian walk. Ephesians 4:32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. [4]
To hear more about overcoming the bait of offense, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-dreams-for-joseph
[1] https://praywithconfidence.com/overcoming-the-spirit-of-offense/
[2-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.