Bondage of Offense

“…. be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you”.   Eph. 4:32   NLT

 Offense resides on the foundation of unforgiveness.

Taking offense allows Satan to build an “Anti-Christ” stronghold around us through unforgiveness.   From that stronghold he can control our emotions that could lead us into more sin and separate us from the body of Christ.

Unforgiveness can really hold us back from escaping the corruption of sin and living for Jesus.

Unforgiveness comes in many forms, such as bitterness, hatred, anger, holding grudges, jealousy and resentment.   It can actually block God’s forgiveness of our sin and provide a foothold for Satan to influence our lives.   (Matt. 6:14-15)

Additionally, unforgiveness can plant a “root of bitterness” in us that leads to various damaging results such as, it ruins the fruit of the Holy Spirit, stymies spiritual growth and contributes to physical illness.   Just as acid can destroy the vessel that holds it, so can unforgiveness destroy us when we harbor it.

The first action for breaking the bondage of offense is to forgive those whom we have allowed to offend us.

How does the temptation to take an offense appeal to pride in my life?

Are there any people whom I have not forgiven for past offenses?

I encourage you to ask God to give you the desire and ability to forgive “from the heart” as Jesus stated in Matthew 18:38. 

‘But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”   Mark 11:25 NLT

(so means: equal to, the same as, to the same degree)