Don't take the bait

Bait of Satan

Bait of Satan

Taking offense can trap you. Learn how to not be ensnared in victim mentality and walk in forgiveness. Satan is laying traps for you, and his most deceptive snare is attacks on your person. Learn how to respond to hurts and insults in a godly way.

  OFFENSE
 (OFFENSE) 1. skandalon ^4625^ originally was "the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached, hence, the trap or snare itself. "

In NT skandalon is always used metaphorically, and ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way. Sometimes the hindrance is in itself good, and those stumbled by it are the wicked.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

(Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

The Readers Digest Universal Dictionary defines " to take offence" as a) to become angered, b) displeased, c) resentful, d) even to feel hurt. " To offend as to a) create or excite anger, b) resentment or annoyance, c) or hurt the feelings of, d) to be displeasing or disagreeable to.

Have you been trapped? 

This book exposes one of Satan's most deceptive snares used to pull believers out of God's will. It is the trap of offense.

 Jesus said, "It is impossible that offenses will not come" (Luke 17:1).

 Nevertheless, most people who are ensnared by the bait of Satan don't even realize it.

 So don't be fooled! 

You Will encounter offense, and it's up to you how you're going to let it affect your relationship with God. 

Your response will determine your future.

 You can be delivered from the bait of Satan, stay free from offense and escape the victim mentality.

 Don't let another's sin or mistake affect your relationship with God!

Contents:

1. Me, Offended

2. Massive Offensive

3. How Could This Happen to Me

4. My Father, My Father!

5. How Spiritual Vagabonds Are Born

6. Hiding From Reality

7. The Sure Foundation

8. All That Can Be Shaken Will Be Shaken

9. The Rock of Offence

10. Lest We Offend Them

11. Forgiveness: You Don't Give - You Don't Get

12. Revenge: The Trap

13. Escaping the Trap

14. Objective: Reconciliation

Many who were involved with Shekinah Fellowship left because they were offended.

 Some were harshly treated and wrongly accused.

When offense comes upon us we must deal with it or become ensnared. If ensnared, and not properly dealt with, the offense leads to bitterness.

 Bitterness destroys.

Hebrews 12:15

Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Ever run across people who have been offended and have not forgiven the offender?

There is such bitterness towards the offender.

Paul tells us that it is a 'root' of bitterness that springs up and causes trouble.

 The net result is that many become 'defiled' by it.

John Bevere goes into depth with this topic in his excellent book.

 I am not pitching his book, that is not my intention here.

 I do regard his book as a resource that covers the ground with grace to counter the roots of bitterness.

If anyone were to look deep within their soul and honestly assess that they have not released the offender by which offense entered their life, they may, by the grace of God, realize that they have roots of bitterness choking out blessing.

John takes the reader through, in detail, how offense can occur and what to do about it from a biblical perspective.

I am talking to you and you know it!

You are in a position of unforgiveness towards someone or others.

Matthew 5:23-24

 Anger and Reconciliation

…22"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

 23"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 

24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.…

The blood of Jesus covers every sin and washes us clean.

Repent at the cross of Christ and forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us.

John 13:34-35

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. 
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”