The Bait of Offense

1.   Introduction

· New Series based upon the book by John Bevere –“Bait of Satan”

· Opportunity to grow and mature in relationships.

· Opportunity to remove hidden walls and barriers in relationships

· Opportunity to recognise and overcome major strategy of the devil.

Luke 17:1.  “It is impossible that no offenses should come.”

• Jesus is warning his disciples of major strategy of the devil.
• Offenses will come.
• Offenses will separate and divide relationships.
• Offenses will imprison and hold people in bondage to spirits.
• Jesus warns disciples to guard their hearts and personal relationships.

2.   Offense is the Bait of a Trap.

· Offense = 4625 = Greek skandalon = a trap stick used in a trap

• The animal sees the bait but does not see the snare.
• Once the animal seizes the bait – the trap is closed

· Scandal = to offend by some action.

· 2 Tim 2:24-26 they that may escape the snare of the devil.

• The devil sets snares to capture people and control them
• Some people are captured by the devil – “at his will”.
• Capture = 2221= to capture alive, to make a prisoner of war.
• People do not realise what has happened to them – “deception”
• People who are offended do not realise they are “opposing themselves”.
• People need to “recover their senses” = 366 = to become sober again.

· Offenses are a bait – they draw people into a trap they do not see and hinder their relationships and ability to be productive.

· Are you offended?  How would you know if you were?

3.   Offenses Destroy Relationships.

Matthew 24:10. (In the last days) then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.

· Note the progression; Offended = betrayal = Hatred.

(a)  Offended:

Proverbs 18:19.  A brother offended is harder to be won then a stony city.

· OT cities had walls around them to protect them from the enemies.

· Walls controlled entry of people into the city.

· Offenses build a wall around the heart to prevent further hurt.

· Walls – deny entry to people we fear will hurt us – we require a debt to be paid!

• E.g.  Child – offended – spirits close up – can feel/sense/see the way.
• Life no longer flows out – goal is to protect self.
• 2 Cor 10:4-6.  Weapons of Warfare are mighty through God…
• Stronghold = fortified, defended position – hinders access
• Imaginations = Reasoning
• High Thing = Pride, Self- centred, focused on self preservation
• Offenses create reasoning and barriers to knowing and walking in God.
• Note.  1John 4:8.  He that loves not does not know God.

· Who are the people who offend you?

• Luke 21:16.  Betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, friends….
• People close to you – ones you have relationships with
• Why? We expect more – become offended when expectations are not met.

(b) Betrayal

• Betrayal = to disclose secrets, treat person with treachery.

                           = to violate relationship, loyalty or allegiance

                           =3861=to surrender, give up, put into prison.

• Close personal relationship results in intimacy and vulnerability
• Biheal Friendships is trustworthiness’ – not deal falsely.
• NT church is a covenant community (1Cor11:24-30)

            Ie.  We are in covenant with Christ and with one another.

            Covenant = agreement between two people – committed to relationship

            Covenant breaking = betrayal of relationship

• Betrayal = to abandon the relationship to protect self

            Eg. John12:4/13:27.  Judas – offended = betrayal (revealed whereabouts)

            Eg. Matthew 26:31.  Disciples – offended – betrayal (abandoned)

            Eg.  2Sam15. Absalom – offended = betrayed (ran down David)

(c)  Hatred

• People thick hatred = strong feelings anger, rage, hostility
• Often hatred is covered

            Eg. 2 Sam 13:22.  Absalom hated Amnon – spoke neither good nor bad.

            Eg. Gen 37:4.  Josephs brothers hated him – could not speak peaceably.

            Eg. 2 Sam 13:15.  Amnon hated Tamar – rejected/avoided her.

            Eg. Prov 26:24.  He that hates disguises it with his lips.

· 1 John 3:15.  He that hates his brother is a murderer.

• The spirit that leads to murder is present. Eg Cain.
• The seed is present and fruit grows progressively.

Ps124:6

My soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler.  The snare is broken, we are escaped – or help is in the name of the Lord.