The Lord has been dealing with me recently about the connection between Offense and the notion of Self-Righteousness. I have looked back at the times I have felt offended in ministry (which I never thought of it being at the time; I considered myself justifiably upset, tender, withdrawn, angered, distant, or self-focused) and really seen how much of it was about my judging some leader, authority, co-worker, etc based on the weakness of their flesh and not after the spirit. I see how deceptive the devil was during these times in my life, craftily cutting away divine connections in my life, trying to rob me of Gods Good Plan. I now consider that part of the reason I could see myself as justified in my feeling was not only bc THEY should know better than to act/say/do what they did, but simultaneously that I would not have acted/said/done it. This is the self-righteous part of the whole thing. It is dangerous to assume you wouldnt behave in a certain way and deceptive to believe you havent already done so (at least along similarly evil and awful lines). Its prideful at its root to be offended. When you observe/catch a glimpse of a flaw in someones flesh (a chink in the armor of their integrity, demeanor, personality, and/or spirituality [even a recurring one]), the devil is a master at getting you to focus and dwell on it. He will make sure you are present to observe it at each occurrence and will make sure you hear it louder than any of their good character or worthy deeds. This, of course, how the father of lies works to deceive us all. As Screwtape (and Jesus too incidentally) offered, it is amazing how we can see flaws in others so clearly the we cannot see in ourselves. I personally think it is the devils business to keep both of these things going. He wants us to keep seeing and to be kept from seeing all at the same time. He wants us to do this until we have squandered away relational gold that was ours to enjoy from The Lord. Its just another way he steals from us. Little children, hear my instructions as a father. The offended are often the last to know theyve been offended, the last to know theyre walking in pride and self-righteousness. Even when God sends angels and messengers and even FB posts across their paths, they rarely catch it. They are blind bc their observance and judgement of people after the flesh is justified in their own minds. They dont need to forgive or reconcile bc they have seen the harm (read: usually only to ego/flesh/self importance, rarely real harm) that this person, friend, authority, or leader has caused to themselves and sometimes to others. Dont take the bait. Its all a destiny-robbing stench before God. Take it from me. In 23 years of ministry, Ive seen dozens of Gods soaring eagles taken down over The Offense Trap. Sadly, they usually fade away huddled among other people similarly deceived but kept warmed by the common fire of justified withdraw that burns in their bellies. PLEASE, if in the unlikely event that a real man or woman of God comes to you and says, Sister/Brother, you are offended here. You need to let this go, TAKE THEIR COUNSEL. You may need to trust your counselor v your instincts for a period, but you will emerge eventually with the claws of this consuming fixation on the flaws of this person and the chinks that are so glaring to your eye will loosen their grip and let you go. In fact, that should be the tell-tale sign that the devil is involved: your inability to let it go, the consuming nature of it. When your only options are to (a) fixate on a flaw you have observed in a relation/person you previously claimed a divine connection to or (b) to withdraw from that relationship (in heart even if kept fake on surface), your spiritual antennae should immediately be raised. I have taught on this in detail on UTV. Everyone needs this understanding at some point in our lives, especially if we are Kingdom people. And at times, we could all use a refresher. I love you all. Carry on. I have learned a lot personally in this area (some the hard way). I do plan to be filled again. -pmts- @mtsmith @connielovesmike
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 21:00:17 +0000
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