In the Bedroom after the War
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June 7, 2009
Self Inflicted Snare Ivan 'Vern' Poh from URL @ 2:09 AM Offense. Pride. Very ordinary and usual. So much so we tend to undermine the snare that they can impose on us. Usually, after this 2, sin follows. Offense in the root word = Skandalon Which means a trapstick or a movable stick with a bait used to catch animals. It signifies that which causes error or sin. Offense is a trap. Jesus said in Matthew 16:23 - But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." People get offended easily because usually we are quite proud. The more proud, the easier to be offended. Offense is interesting. It puts us on a self justification rout. We point fingers and push the blame. Usually we develop a victim mentality as if people wronged us. But it's all unreal. Offense is very unreal. Like fear, offense is unreal. Just think about it. Out of 10 times, how many times do you really think someone is going for you? Really intentionally trying to provoke you? I don't think it's more than 2. People usually ain't that bad. So what more people in church? People in church, especially our church, are great. You should meet other christians outside our church (: The assurance is that, we all belong to a strong culture. Offense is unreal. Most of the time it is just pride. We need to be more humble (: The Bible says, God resist the proud and haughty in spirit. Be genuine. Be real. Relax. You don't belong to a community. You belong to the church of God. If we don't trust the church, where truth is upheld, Jesus is proclaimed and the cross held aloft then you won't trust anyone else. It's quite logical. And it's insane to think you will trust someone or something else. So don't trap yourself. Instead, be mindful of the things of God. That releases you, try it, you think of the macro God thing and you feel less easily offended. Well, at the end of the day, even if someone really went for us. Let's not be offended because as if what they said ain't bad enough, now we add a trap, mental trap, emotional trap and a spiritual trap. We put a ceiling over us. We box ourselves into those words. Lastly, usually when you get to this state, sin follows after. The bait of satan is offense. Offense will reap a mind focussed on the things of the world. A mind focussed on the things of the world will result in a ceiling. A ceiling will cause you to feel frustrated. Frustration will reap sin. Don't let offense cause you to sin. It's not worth it. It is like, a big time sabotage. People just move their mouths and we get locked up in chains. HAHA... not worth it. Be free. Be humble. Character is most important. Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it springs the issues of life. Character is most important. Guarding it is worth you sacrificing a lot. Let's be broken. After all, when you are broken and humble. The anointing of God comes upon your life. You become effective. You have an x factor about you. Life is too precious to be placed in another's words. Our destiny is determined by God, by us. Say no to offense... haha
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