There is an enemy of your heart and future that you may not be aware of. This enemy destroys marriages, divides churches, ruins friendships and opens the door for oppression and even sickness. The enemy is the offended heart. Offense and bitterness are wreaking havoc in many Christian lives and most don’t know how to recognize it.
The offended heart struggles to recognize and embrace truth. Feelings triumph over truth.

The offended person feels betrayed by someone in ministry or by some church experience. They may be offended at someone in their family. They may be offended with politics and the social issues of our time. Offense has many opportunities to poison our hearts.

Once an offense has taken root, the abundant life of God is quenched.

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

James 3:14-16

Friends, be sure that your heart is right with God and right with others. Pray for those who have offended you. Choose love. Choose peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:6-8

Have you been offended?

by Barry Bennett (shared with permission)