Good Morning,
Beware of offenses! It is worth being repeated. Offenses can
and do cause division and dissension in the 'Body of Believers.' Do
you consistently stay in the Word on the love-walk? Take time to read Matthew chapter 24, let us go over verse 10-12; "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love (God's kind of love) of many shall wax cold." It is a 'spirit' that is pronounced during the last days before Christ return.
Offenses not
dealt within our hearts will grow into roots of bitterness, which
will strangle any spiritual growth that might be taking place in your
heart. The root killer for offenses is the Word of God. Psalms 119:165, "Great peace have they who love Your law (Word of God); and nothing shall offend them (or be a stumbling block or snare to them)." More than ever before we must be determined to stay in the Word, it is our life support and the refuge against offenses. Hebrews 12:14-17: tells us to "Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and
holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord." It is important for all of us to pursue to live in peace with everyone, especially with those who have offended us, otherwise we
won't get to see God. "Looking diligently, to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace, in order that no root of bitterness (resentment, rancor or hatred) spring forth and trouble you and many become contaminated and defiled by it." Looking diligently means to exercise foresight; to beware or be on the watch; to survey the environment. That means that we have to pay attention to each other in the 'Body of Christ'
[our environment] to see who is spreading this root of bitterness
through and by being offended. Killing that root with the Word. As we
pay attention to what the word, root means, it is something that is deeply embedded or fixed; the inner core, the foundation; where substance is drawn from. The root pulls from the soil of the heart the necessary ingredients to
produce fruit. The fruit that grows may be bitter and tainted by the
roots. Look at and think about this word
bitterness- inward attitude of evil thoughts that affect the outer, [ex. our emotions, conduct and life]; deep, unpleasant, intense feeling,
that causes one suffering of mind or body—-a painful affliction of
hate and resentment. If this root is left
to spread it will annoy, torment, defile, contaminate, sully, tarnish and
pollute you and the rest of the body that it sits in. It will dwarf any
fruit in your life and defile your physical body as well as your mind.
So, my dear sisters and brothers, do not take the bait of
offense, it is a snare to lure you to sin. As we see the day
approaching it is imperative to keep a clear heart, so that you can
hear God's voice and promptly obey Him. It is a strategic point that
will separate the 'wheat' from the 'tare'. Don't be easily offended,
and don't go around easily offending others. Study to be slow to speak
and slow to anger. Be quick to forgive and practice walking in the love of God. Stay in the Word, and nothing will be able to offend you!
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 