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In scripture, the spirit of offense is often described as negativity, bitterness and even anger. It is a spirit that left untreated can easily lead to a self-destructive path filled with unforgiveness and isolation. “Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Matthew 18:7.

There is no question that there will be times in our lives when others hurt us, cause us heartache and betray us even at the deepest of levels, but it is how we as Christians handled those offenses that truly defines how we love and live as Jesus. I must admit, there have been times in my life that I have taken offense to a comment, gesture and even experienced deep betrayal, but I am learning through each experience that even in the pain I can still have peace. Our reaction not only determines how the situation will end, but it will also determine just how long we are willing to carry the weight of that wrongdoing. Just in the last week I have heard God whisper to my heart to “Let it go”, “Move on”, “Forgive” and “Receive”.

Those commands are not easy when your spirit is bound up in the attack, but if we are willing to become the best version of who God desires for us to be, we must obey. I began to also realize that the spirit of offense isn’t always held captive to one generation – the generations before are likely to pass down this spirit if we aren’t careful to recognize the trick of the enemy. Was there a lineage of damage, anger, abandonment, disloyalty and unforgiveness? All those wounds don’t heal overnight and if never dealt with, the enemy knows just where they can spread and fester in the next generation. It is important as parents and even grandparents that we deal with the strongholds in our own lives. What is a stronghold? A stronghold in the biblical context refers to those negative thought patterns, beliefs and even attitudes that hinder our relationship with God.

Just because you believe something to be true and factual does not mean it aligns with the Word of God. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 10:4, we are instructed to take hold of those thoughts under the obedience of Christ – “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” I challenge you this week to take time to reflect on the strongholds in your life. Are you easy to anger? Are you easy to be offended? Are you quick to react? I don’t know why God has been speaking to me so intently these last few weeks about the spirit of offense, but I have chosen to lean in and I pray you do as well. These articles are not written months in advance; they are raw and real as my journey to Heaven unfolds just like yours – a diary of sorts that I pray comforts the next generation. Once God reveals and you decide to receive the message, you can then begin to pray specifically against those strongholds such as the spirit of offense. We don’t have to succumb to the lies of the enemy (even those generations deep) because as children of God, we have the authority and anointing to walk in deliverance, freedom and peace even when those transgressions arise.

“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.” Proverbs 19:11. 

Blessings,

Kayla