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I recently heard someone say, “If he treats me that way again — that’s IT!”  No, this wasn’t a friendship, it was regarding someone’s family member.  Hmmm.

Immediately I began to pray because I felt wounds were behind those words.

Offense had placed its claws in the heart of this person.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always feel as merciful as I should when someone is hurting me.  But when I’m on the outside of a situation, it is so easy to see.

Anytime someone presses on a swollen, infected wound — there WILL be a reaction.  Wounded people snap quickly and lash out (seemingly over nothing and out of nowhere).  Have you ever witnessed this for yourself?  Do you know someone trapped in the past?   Maybe it is YOU.

I know I have shared a lot about the freedom God has given me over fear, but I’m not sure I have emphasized enough that FORGIVENESS was a BIG KEY in my freedom.   Holding others in unforgiveness is not only a sin, but it leaves open a BIG spiritual door for demons to enter.

Matthew 18:34-35
And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.   “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” NKJV

Notice Jesus said this unforgiving man would be delivered to the TORTURERSIt happens folks.  Trust me.   I think unforgiveness and offense go hand-in-hand.  Offense is often rooted in pride.  We think to ourselves, “How DARE he speak to me like that!  Who does he think he is?”   Ahem, NOBODY had a greater reason to walk in offense than Jesus and He didn’t.  We really have no platform to stand on (other than pride).

Matthew 18:7
Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  NKJV

I don’t know if that scripture has ever stood out to me before today.  It is serious when we read, “WOA” to whom the offense comes!  This scripture was referring to someone causing another to sin, but don’t offended people usually drag others into their pools of bitterness?   And isn’t bitterness like a root that will make others stumble?

Hebrews 12:15
… lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Forgiveness is KEY to God forgiving you as well.

Now how scary is that?  I think many Christians forget about this scripture (or they don’t know it because they don’t read the Bible).

Mark 11:25
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Offense and unforgiveness are BIG roadblocks in our lives.  I personally have a couple of people in my life that I feel the slightest “ick” thought when I hear their names.  That concerns me because I DON’T WANT TO FEEL/THINK THAT WAY!  I don’t want anything bad to happen to them, but there is that little something that makes me scrunch up my nose.  You know that look?  Even if in your mind you want to roll your eyes … something is hidden.  God knows my heart better than I do, but it is my desire to have a pure heart.   I use my mouth to confess forgiveness and my WILL to forgive them anytime this arises. 

Search your heart and see if there is any unforgiveness, bitterness, or offense lurking.   If so, deal with it as quickly as you can.  Perhaps THOSE are the open doors to the enemy — blocking your way to complete FREEDOM.

If you need some help releasing unforgiveness, I HIGHLY recommend THE BAIT OF SATAN by John Bevere.  Wonderful book!  You can order it HERE.

God bless you today!

(Lovely – ahem- offended photo is of me.)