Harboring an offence is one of the most dangerous traps of the enemy concerning us. It literally keeps people in a place of misery and bitter torment. Unless the offence is dealt with, like a cancer of the soul, it not only infects the emotions, it contaminates thoughts, and hinders sound, decision making. In the book of Matthew, it explains how un-forgiveness or offence, even prevents our prayers from being answered. We see from Mark 6:3 that offence prevented people from acknowledging the authority Jesus carried, and as a result, they could not believe in Him and receive any hope of salvation. As children of God, we must never allow ourselves to become offended. Even when there may be many reasons to do so, every day. Hebrews 12:15 warns us to constantly be on our guard to not become offended, because the bitterness it produces in us defiles everyone around us. Here’s another danger concerning offence – when we allow ourselves to become offended or disappointed with ministers of the Gospel, we stop respecting and honoring them. As a result, we will never be able to receive what God has for us from their ministry. An easy indication that a person is offended is by their critical, fault-finding attitude. Just as the people in Mark 6 could not receive the mighty works of power from Jesus, we can never receive from a man or woman of God we have criticized, or dishonored. Decide today to never tolerate offence in your life – because there is no faith or love in offence. That means we will be hindered in our ability to receive life and peace from God’s Word – until we repent and forgive. Understand, forgiveness is in no way condoning the wrong done. It does however break the bondage of offence off of us, while releasing its care over to the Lord. This sets us free from the bitterness and torment it would have created in us and allows an unhindered flow of God’s love and power in our lives. Be deliberate in your walk of love, being quick to repent and quick to forgive, so that faith and peace can flourish, and the enemy is not given a foothold to torment you, and keep you enslaved in misery and defeat. Your life is too valuable to be offended – so let God’s love abound in you as you always choose to forgive!