Breaking Free from the Trap of Offense
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey to uncover the subtle yet powerful traps that Satan sets for us, particularly through the bait of offense. We began by acknowledging the pervasive nature of offense in our society, recognizing how easily we fall into the trap of being offended by the smallest things. This series, titled "The Bait of Old Smut Face," aims to expose the enemy's tactics and equip us to live in the freedom that Christ offers.
Offense is a trap that leads to spiritual bondage, but through Christ, we can break free and walk in freedom. The enemy uses offense to create division, bitterness, and ultimately, separation from God. We explored the story of Adam and Eve, where the first offense led to the fall of humanity. Satan's strategy has not changed; he still uses offense to ensnare us, causing us to focus on ourselves rather than on God.
We delved into Matthew 24, where Jesus warns of the end times, highlighting that many will be offended, leading to betrayal and hatred. This is a reflection of our current world, where offense is rampant, and truth is often rejected. We must guard our hearts against offense, recognizing it as a tool of the enemy to distract us from our spiritual journey.
To avoid the trap of offense, we must first recognize the identity of the trapper, Satan, and his tactics. We must also be aware of the lure of jealousy and covetousness, which often lead to offense. Finally, we must guard our hearts, being mindful of what influences us and ensuring that our focus remains on Christ.
As we continue this series, let us commit to releasing offenses and embracing the joy that comes from walking in unity with God and others. By denying ourselves and taking up our cross, we can overcome the traps of offense and live as true disciples of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Offense as a Spiritual Trap: Offense is a tool used by Satan to lead us into spiritual bondage. It distracts us from our relationship with God and causes division among believers. Recognizing offense as a trap allows us to seek freedom through Christ, who empowers us to overcome and walk in unity with Him. [28:31]
2. Guarding Our Hearts: Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts. By being mindful of what we see, hear, and think, we protect ourselves from the influence of offense. This vigilance helps us maintain a focus on God and prevents the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives. [01:08:33]
3. Recognizing the Enemy's Tactics: Understanding that Satan is the instigator of offense helps us to identify his traps. By recognizing his patterns, we can avoid falling into the cycle of scandal, betrayal, and separation from God. This awareness is crucial in maintaining our spiritual integrity. [41:42]
4. The Power of Sacrifice: Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. This act of sacrifice involves letting go of offenses and focusing on Christ. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the joy and freedom that come from living in His truth. [01:16:12]
5. Living as Disciples of Christ: To be true disciples, we must choose to release offenses and embrace the teachings of Jesus. This involves a conscious decision to follow Him, even when faced with challenges. By doing so, we become vessels of His love and light in a world filled with darkness. [01:12:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [11:41] - Christmas Shoebox Announcement
- [12:05] - Men's Sunday Night Worship Service
- [12:18] - Returning to Biblical Manhood
- [13:01] - Prayer and Offering
- [24:49] - Introduction to New Series
- [25:54] - The Bait of Offense
- [27:20] - Understanding Offense
- [28:31] - Offense as a Spiritual Trap
- [30:08] - Matthew 24: Signs of the End Times
- [32:43] - Spiritual vs. Political Focus
- [40:27] - The Greek Word "Scandalizo"
- [49:08] - Genesis 3: The First Offense
- [55:18] - Modern-Day Offenses
- [01:08:33] - Guarding Our Hearts
- [01:12:05] - Living as Disciples of Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 24:3-14
- Proverbs 4:23
- Genesis 3:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 24, what are some of the signs of the end times that Jesus mentions, and how do they relate to the concept of offense? [35:48]
2. How does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 illustrate the trap of offense that the sermon discusses? [49:45]
3. According to Proverbs 4:23, why is it important to guard our hearts, and how does this relate to avoiding offense? [01:08:33]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate how offense can lead to spiritual bondage and separation from God? [29:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does recognizing Satan as the instigator of offense help believers avoid falling into his traps? [41:42]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that offense can lead to division and betrayal among believers, and how can this be prevented? [36:32]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of jealousy and covetousness in leading to offense, and what biblical principles can counteract these feelings? [01:07:53]
4. What does it mean to deny oneself and take up one's cross in the context of overcoming offense, according to the sermon? [01:16:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt offended. How might recognizing the source of that offense as a spiritual trap change your response? [29:35]
2. Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes guarding our hearts. What practical steps can you take this week to protect your heart from offense and maintain a focus on God? [01:08:33]
3. The sermon discusses the importance of recognizing jealousy and covetousness as lures to offense. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with these feelings and consider how you can address them biblically. [01:07:53]
4. How can you apply the principle of denying yourself and taking up your cross in your daily interactions, especially when faced with potential offenses? [01:16:12]
5. Think of a relationship in your life that has been affected by offense. What steps can you take to seek reconciliation and unity in that relationship? [36:32]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of living as true disciples of Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to embody the teachings of Jesus and avoid the traps of offense? [01:12:05]
7. Consider the role of social media in your life. How can you ensure that it does not become a source of offense or comparison, as illustrated in the sermon? [47:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Offense as a Spiritual Trap
Offense is a subtle yet powerful tool used by Satan to lead individuals into spiritual bondage. It distracts believers from their relationship with God and causes division among them. By recognizing offense as a trap, individuals can seek freedom through Christ, who empowers them to overcome and walk in unity with Him. Offense often leads to bitterness and separation from God, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where the first offense led to the fall of humanity. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for maintaining spiritual integrity and focusing on one's spiritual journey. [28:31]
"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." (Hebrews 12:15, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt offended. How can you seek God's grace to release this offense and restore your focus on Him today?
Day 2: Guarding Our Hearts
Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts, as it is the wellspring of life. Being mindful of what we see, hear, and think protects us from the influence of offense. This vigilance helps maintain a focus on God and prevents the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives. In a world where offense is rampant, guarding our hearts is essential to avoid being ensnared by the enemy's tactics. By doing so, we can ensure that our spiritual journey remains aligned with God's will and purpose. [01:08:33]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: What are some influences in your life that may be leading you towards offense? How can you guard your heart against these influences today?
Day 3: Recognizing the Enemy's Tactics
Understanding that Satan is the instigator of offense helps believers identify his traps. By recognizing his patterns, individuals can avoid falling into the cycle of scandal, betrayal, and separation from God. This awareness is crucial in maintaining spiritual integrity and focusing on one's relationship with God. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns of the end times, highlighting that many will be offended, leading to betrayal and hatred. Recognizing the enemy's tactics allows believers to guard their hearts and remain steadfast in their faith. [41:42]
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you recognized a pattern of offense in your life. How can you remain vigilant against the enemy's tactics in the future?
Day 4: The Power of Sacrifice
Jesus calls believers to deny themselves and take up their cross. This act of sacrifice involves letting go of offenses and focusing on Christ. By doing so, individuals align themselves with God's will and experience the joy and freedom that come from living in His truth. Sacrifice is a powerful tool in overcoming the traps of offense and living as true disciples of Christ. By embracing this call, believers can walk in unity with God and others, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. [01:16:12]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one offense you need to let go of today to align yourself with God's will? How can you take up your cross and follow Christ in this situation?
Day 5: Living as Disciples of Christ
To be true disciples, believers must choose to release offenses and embrace the teachings of Jesus. This involves a conscious decision to follow Him, even when faced with challenges. By doing so, individuals become vessels of His love and light in a world filled with darkness. Living as disciples of Christ requires a commitment to walking in unity with God and others, denying oneself, and taking up the cross daily. This journey leads to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. [01:12:05]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love and unity in your relationships today, even in the face of offense? What steps can you take to live as a true disciple of Christ?
Quotes
1. "Offense is a trap that leads to spiritual bondage, but through Christ, we can break free and walk in freedom. In my office, I have this huge bear trap, it's actually a number two grizzly bear trap. There's only one larger than it, and the mouth on that thing is that big. You can literally take a two by four and set it off, and it'll snap a two by four in half. It's got big teeth on it. Somebody asked me, they say, what is that, pastor? I said, that's my complaint department. Press here. But here's the thing about that trap. The trap in itself, when it is not set, there's nothing to it. It just hangs on my wall as just idle decoration." [29:02] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Have you noticed that? We're offended by everything in this world. Christians have become so offended with things that we have sort of caused the rest of the world who aren't Christians to be offended as well. Now they're offended by something called truth. If you think about that, we have baited up, Satan's baited us, and then we have baited up the world to be offended by truth. We should never be offended by the truth of the Word of God. We should receive it in spirit and in truth." [30:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Let me tell you something. We've got to think about this, and this was a hard question. Should we be offended by the things that offend God? Well, let me just tell you something. Philippians chapter 3 says this, And I'm going to tell you something. There's some things that offended God, and it's okay to be offended by the things that offended Christ, that offends God, but here's the deal. We can't respond to the things that we're offended, that God's offended by in our manly, humanly ways. We've got to learn to respond to the things that we're offended by in the same way that Jesus responded." [33:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let me give you some good advice. And this comes from another pastor. This is not my original thought, but man, this is good. Here's what he said. Don't compare your realistic life to somebody else's highlight reel on Facebook. You know, nobody's going to post a bad picture of their family and their life on Facebook. They're going to post the best of the best. She was lulled into these traps and it became a scandal. In 10 minutes, she done stepped in eight or nine different traps, eight or nine different chains that's got her in such bondage that she can't even move forward in the righteous Christian thinking that God designed her mind to think in." [47:59] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So here's the question. Here's a decision that's before you today. Here's your closing point. When we choose, listen to this, to release offenses, you can then experience the joy that comes from walking in unity with God and others. Let me tell you how simple this is. We're busy fighting of our own power, trying to get out of the chains. And we're trying to do things here. When God says, there's just one thing that you've got to do. He says, turn to me, just stop fighting and just turn to me, surrender to me. And when we relax, it's like some slack comes in that trap and God reaches down and he just, he just opens up that trap that you can step out of it. You see, that's why he is called our savior." [01:11:04] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You see, we've got to deny ourselves of being offended. And I'll tell you the secret to getting out of the traps is the picture right here. Whether we're going to leave from here being a pawn used of Satan, or if we're going to be a disciple of Christ used of God. Deny yourself. What did he say? Take up the cross. Guys, it's a picture of sacrifice. He said, I want you to sacrifice this very moment. Right now. He said, when you have those thoughts of entitlement, of covetousness, when you are offended, he says, I want you to sacrifice that moment and just fix your eyes on me." [01:16:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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