Offense: The Bait of Satan

Matthew 24:10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.(KJV)

The word offended is derived from a Greek word skandalon:

1.) 4625 skándalon – properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an offense, putting a negative cause-and-effect relationship into motion.

2.) 4625 /skándalon (“the means of stumbling”) stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e. how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking).

3.) [“4625 (skándalon) is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused him” (Souter); “properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block” (Abbott-Smith); “the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it” (WP, 1, 46).] https://biblehub.com/greek/4625.htm

To become offended, is the bait that Satan lures you with, and is the first step in becoming bitter, and then resentful, then if not dealt with it turns into hate, and that hate can take form of slander and gossip, which is also a form of bearing false witness. This can all escalate very quickly, especially if other offenses have not been dealt with.

Offense is part of a trap that lures, secures, and snares. When an unsuspecting person is lured, the trap is often masked by ones’ pride, to admit that they are even caught in a snare. Once that trap starts to dig into the skin, a poison is released. An intoxicating poison that causes people to betray one another, and hate one another, committing murder in their heart.

When a person is ensnared by offense, they are taken captive by Satan to do his will.

2 Tim 2:26Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will. (BSB)

In the wilderness, if an animal becomes wounded or injured it becomes vulnerable for attack against a predator. Likewise, when we become wounded, Satan wastes no time in temptation trying to plant seeds of corruption.

James 1:14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.(KJV)

If we hold on to offense, against those who have hurt us, we are holding a debt over anothers head, and is the lust of pride.  Our hearts then become filled with bitterness, and those seeds that the enemy planted grow and mature.

A heart that is soaked in offense and bitterness, will wield a sword thinking they are wielding it unto Yah/God, but become murderous to the true brethren.

John 16:1These things have I spoken unto you, THAT YE SHOULD NOT BE OFFENDED. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU WILL THINK THAT HE DOETH GOD SERVICE. (KJV)

Bitterness, is a sin that corrupts the heart and the soul and leads to physical and spiritual decay. Bitterness defiles the entire body, soul and spirit.

Hebrews 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up trouble you, and thereby MANY BE DEFILED; (KJV)

Please take a look at a page that I have copied out of our book called “A More Excellent Way” By Dr. Henry W. Wight, starting at what I have circled, and underlined.  The key root behind many ailments and conditions are due to bitterness, unforgiveness and offense.

While I do understand that there are those who are righteous like Job, who did not sin to cause his condition, many would like to run off and treat their physical ailments with essential oils, or other medicine, they fail to first render their heart unto the Great Physician, Yahweh Rapha. Oils, and other treatments can be beneficial, indeed, but what if all you are treating is a superficial wound, that runs deep within?

For bitterness to “spring up” it has to come from somewhere in order to defile you, and   scripture tells us that out of the abundance, or overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.(Luke 6:45, Mat 12:34-35).

From my blog “Wormwood:Partaking in the Bitter Waters of the Heart”:

We are all liken to clay earthen vessels. A vessel is used for a great many things, one of the things it is made for, is to hold water.

Depending on the water source, what is poured into the vessel, will also be poured out.  For those who have been crucified with Messiah, partake in the Living Water, and out of them should flow the Spirit.

However, within earthen vessels, it is also possible for a pure water source to be poured into it, but becomes contaminated, due to bitter waters dwelling already within it.

Bitter or contaminated waters will defile any pure water, thus contaminating the vessel

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To take every thought captive begins in examining your heart, and allow the Spirit of Messiah to look upon it as a surgeon, to remove the roots that have been sown, that have contaminated the good seed and good water. It will hurt. I have never seen a root of a deep seeded weed coming out easily. It will hurt your pride, your ego, and the offense you so badly want to hold over another for causing you harm. However, if you remain still, and allow the surgeon to do His job, it will provide healing and deliverance.

“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23:34)

One of the greatest lessons that I have had to go through(and continue to go through) is to love those despite what they have done to me. To overcome bitterness, and not allow my hurt to give heed to the enemy. It is one of the hardest lessons, and a lifelong lesson. It is also the greatest blessing. To share in the sufferings of Christ.

Luke 6:27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.(KJV)

The best way to overcome offense? Training and overcoming; by learning the effective traps that Satan lays before you to ensnare you, and submitting the areas of weakness(humility) and growing in maturity(perfection) and discernment(wisdom).

Hebrews 5:14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.(KJV)