Some people seem to be offended by almost everything. If the preacher doesn't shake their hand, they get offended. Their feelings get hurt if someone they know doesn't speak to them from across the room. Offence comes to them when they don't get the attention they desired. If they don't get bragged on for something they did, they get offended and pout. They get offended if someone gets in front of them in a line or pulls out in front of them in traffic. Fights happen because of offence. People are killed because of offence. Lives are destroyed because of offence.
"Offence", according to the Hebrew meaning in the Strongs' Concordance, means a trap stick or bait that causes a stumbling block. Think of it like this: If you want to catch a fish, you put a worm on a hook and put the hook in the water and wait for the fish to bite. If you want to catch a rabbit, you put a carrot on the end of a stick and wait for the rabbit to bite. If you want to catch a mouse, you put cheese on a trap and wait. These are simple analogies that we can understand. So, when someone does something that could potentially offend you, picture in your mind a trap with bait in it, just waiting for you to bite. Once you bite, you fall into bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, spite, revenge, or any other work of the flesh. This causes sin. This is what the enemy wants. He wants you to take the bait and fall.
God, on the other hand, wants you to avoid the trap and not be offended. The offences will come, we know this; but it's up to us whether we take the bait or not. God wants us to cast down those imaginations and avoid the temptation to be offended.
"And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:11-32).
This is the story most people refer to as the prodigal son. One son wanted his inheritance now instead of waiting for his father's death. Once he got his money, he left home to live life his way. He soon found himself with no money, no friends, no food, no home and no hope. He decided to go back home and repent to his father. When he got home, everyone was thrilled to see him except his brother. His brother became offended because the father was celebrating the return of this son. They had a feast and the father gave the son a ring, a robe and new shoes. The other brother thought that was not right. Why should he be given a party? He had left home, squandered his father's money, no-doubt made his parents sad, and now returns when his money is gone and gets all this attention. So he became offended. He took the bait. He fell into the snare and became trapped in selfishness, bitterness, anger, jealousy and strife.
How many times do we fall into snares just like this brother? How often do we take the bait and find ourselves trapped? What does it take to trap you? Are you an easy catch? Are you easily offended? The next time the opportunity presents itself for you to become offended (and it will), picture that worm on the hook, or that carrot on a stick, and remind yourself to not take the bait. Show love, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, understanding, patience, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Don't take the bait. Don't be offended!
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