11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11
Dealing with an offense is critical to bringing glory to the Father. Every believer must be aware that the enemy is after your downfall.
The Greek word translating offense is skandalon. It is from the same noun we derive the English word scandal from. Skandalon literally means a trap or a bait. It, therefore, refers to a person or a thing by which one is drawn into error or sin. Each time you allow offense into your heart, committing a sin is inevitable. Many great and mighty have been brought down through offenses.
So how do you deal with an offense? Our opening verse gives us a clear and instructive way to handle it. It is your glory to overlook that which brings an offense. Yes, by simply overlooking an offense, you save yourself from the entanglement of the trap the enemy is using a person or thing to bring into your life.
God has no room for offenses! And it is His glory that all of His children live their lives without being offended. Satan wants you to fall. He did that to Adam and Eve. An offense is not only what generates anger but anything that is aimed at leading you astray. Your friend can be an offense. Your job can be an offense. Entertainment can be an offense. I can go on and on but the fact is, anything that is meant to lead you from your God-given purpose in life can easily be termed an offense.
An Offense Is A Stumbling Block
41 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks (offenses), and those who commit lawlessness. Matthew 13:41
The kingdom of God has no place for that which causes one to sin. An offense is not to get you angry per se, but to lead you into sin. In fact, many people have been led into sin by offenses that didn’t get them to be angry. For example, if you don’t like going to church. even though that wouldn’t get you angry, yet, that’s an offense. Because that action leads you to sin against God.
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 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.” Matthew 16:21-23
The will of God was for Jesus to die for us. Peter thought he was being nice and caring, but his words were an offense (stumbling block) to Jesus. He was trying to talk Him out of fulfilling God’s plan for the world. Not all pieces of advice from people should be taken seriously. If what you are being told is against God’s word, simply overlook them. Don’t follow those who will advise you against the will of God.
7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes! Matthew 18:7
The world’s system has been programmed for you to disobey God. But never be that person through whom an offense will come to someone. You are a child of God – don’t be the one leading someone to sin! Yours is to lead many to righteousness! There is no offense when you’re being led on the path of righteousness. Those who are not happy when they are being corrected are not offended but rebellious.
Don’t be a stumbling block to anyone, neither should you be deceived by offenses. Overlook every offense that comes your way. The end of it all is for you to fall, but I declare that you shall stand to the glory of God your Father. Amen
Read further: Romans 14:13, Romans 9:33
Prayer For Today
Dear God and Father, I thank you for your revelation today. I pray that your grace will keep me walking in your light without fear. I stand against and overlook anyone or thing that causes offense in my life. Today, let every means to an offense be blocked in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
