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The Spirit Of Offense

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The Spirit Of Offense

Everyone in the world has had times when they have been hurt or could have chosen to be offended.

Being Offended Is A Choice.

Please don’t choose it!
How you respond or react to an offense tells everyone what spirit you have.
One of the most dangerous spirits to posses is the spirit of offense.
It will keep you from receiving correction or direction.
It will hinder your relationship with the ministry.
Matt. 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Remember that offenses will come.

Being Habitually Offended Will Make You A Bitter Person.

Bitterness will use YOU to defile many others.

Heb. 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Warning Pastor!

Mark the church member who tells you that he or she is offended by you in some manner. It won’t be long before they leave. It just may be that the Spirit of Offense overwhelms them.

Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Why Are Some People Habitually Offended?

It can be the worst personality trait of all! The spirit of offense is very hard to be delivered from. It will never happen accidentally. It’s not something one will just grow out of, either.

If someone you know has the spirit of offense, be aware that they just might tell you off or cut you off next.

Nabal Was So Belligerent And Easily Offended, That No One Could Talk To Him.

1Sam. 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

It seemed that Nabal was mad at the world and everyone in it.
He had the most wonderful wife, he had wealth and everything he could desire, but what he had most, was a bad attitude.
God killed him.

Here Are Some Questions For Those Who Are Easily Offended:

Is there continual drama in your world?
What is it that makes you the one who is continually being persecuted or attacked by others?
Why is it always you who gets hurt?
Why is it that you are always the victim?
Why is it that you have to keep cutting off people because they have hurt you?
Why is it that you have a list of people you no longer talk to?
How come there is always some kind problem going on between you and your family, or one of your friends?
Why is it that you get your feelings hurt easily?
How often do you hear yourself say, “That makes me so mad!”?
How early did being offend start in you?
Is jealousy part of the issue?
Did you get ignored by those you wanted to be with?
How many of your old friends are now your enemy?
How often do you feel that you are the object of an attack?
Do you battle with these hurts often?
Do you find it hard to forgive?
Are you continually in a feud?
How’s your blood pressure?
Do you think of ways to get back at the people who offended you?
Do you unfriend them on Facebook?
Do you block them?
Do you talk online about how you have been mistreated, hoping to gather support, while not telling all the facts correctly?
Do you pray louder, longer and harder than others to prove you have the right spirit?
Do you worship expressively to show that you are the more spiritual one and thereby justify yourself?
What kind of friends do you attract?

Being Habitually Offended Is Evidence Of The Spirit Of Offense.

The Multitude Following Jesus Turned Away Because They Got Offended.

Offended people distance themselves, from those they once admired. Causing many to leave the truth.

Cain Got Offended And Then Killed His Brother.

Offended people can be very jealous.
Offended people are dramatic.
Offended people become hateful and dangerous.

The Elder Brother Of The Prodigal Son Got Offended And Mouthed Off To His Father.

Offended people often show those around them who actually has the bad heart.
Offended people are willing to hurt back.
Even though the father forgave the son, his brother would not.

How Do People Act Around You If You Are Plagued By The Spirit Of Offense.

Why would they want to include you in their groups? You are a bomb waiting to go off!
Do they shun you because all you want to do is talk about the other people who have hurt you?
Do they tiptoe around you by being civil but not warm when they talk to you?
Are they afraid that they may be your next victim?
Be aware that offended people are highly toxic and contagious.

The Enemy Of Your Soul Will Make Sure That You Become Offended.

It will damage your walk with God.
It will damage your every relationship.
It will damage your church.
It will damage your home life.
It will damage your marriage.
It with damage your relationship with your siblings, your parents, your in-laws, your children, and your spouse.
It will make you leave your church.

If You Know You Have The Spirit Of Offense, What Are You Doing To Get Rid Of It?

Yes you can be helped and delivered!
Remember though, once you become offended at God, you will distance yourself from Him for an eternity.

Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

It’s The Spirit Of The Last Days

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

What Is The Key To Your Deliverance From The Spirit Of Offense?

If you know love is a key…
If you know forgiving seventy times seven in one day is a key…
If you know a soft answer is a key…
If you know keeping your tongue is a key…
If you know being easy to be entreated is a key…
If you know kindness is a key…
If you know praying all the way through is a key…
If you know having your man of God lay hands on you and pray a prayer of deliverance for you is a key…
If you know preferring your brother is a key…
If you know not letting the sun go down on your wrath is a key…
If you know prayer and fasting is a key…
If you know dying daily is a key…
If you know repentance to God is a key…
If you know repentance to others is a key…
If you know you know your brother has aught against you and you are to go to him is a key…
If you know realizing you have a bad spirit is a key…
If you know seeing how you are damaging those you love is a key…
If you know you are hindering others in their walk with God is a key…
If you know hell is using you to hinder God’s church is a key…
If you know that your spirit may keep you out of heaven is a key…

Then, What Are You Waiting For?

Why Not Use Even One, If Not All These Keys, And Enjoy A New Life With Peace, Love And Contentment?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 19, 2016 at 2:18 pm

Posted in Christian Living

Tagged with The Spirit Of Offense

Can You Turn Jesus Around?

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Can You Turn Jesus Around?

Some Things That Turn Jesus Around…

The Faith Of The Woman With The Issue Of Blood Turned Jesus Around.

Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

What Turned Jesus Around?

Believing He Can When No One Else Can.

The Centurion’s Faith In Our Lord’s Spoken Word Turned Jesus Around.

Luke 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Luke 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

What Turned Jesus Around?

Believing In His word

The Disciple’s Hunger For His Fellowship Turned Jesus Around.

Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

Luke 24:29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

What Turned Jesus Around?

Hungry For His Presence.

All It Took Was Faith And Hunger To Turn Jesus Around.

Can You Turn Jesus Around?

Then Do It!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 16, 2016 at 10:46 am

Posted in Faith

Things That Keep An Apostolic Pastor Up At Night

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Things That Keep An Apostolic Pastor Up At Night

Being a pastor involves much more than just standing behind the pulpit. As an under-shepherd of the Lord’s flock he has the responsibility of their spiritual protection, feeding, and care. Knowing that some day he must answer to God, a pastor who is according to His heart, strives to be very careful.

A refreshed pastor is more likely to bring a fresh word for his hearers. Tired and burnt-out ones may be happy to just get through the day. That is where a good nights rest is worth its weight in gold.

Sometimes He Wakes Up In The Night And His Mind Won’t Shut Back Down.

That’s when his sleep is gone.
That’s when he worries.
That’s when he tosses and turns.
That’s when he is desperate for the answer from God about what to do.
That’s when his wife has her sleep disturbed.
That’s when he has to get up and go into another room.

So, What Keeps Your Pastor Up At Night? What If It Was You?

Is It You Keeping Him Awake?

Your spiritual condition.
Your attitude.
Your critical comments.
Your withdrawal.
Your missing church.
Your bad choices.
Your disobedience.
Your playing with fire.
Your choice of questionable friends.
Your criticisms of godliness and standards.
Your lack of prayer.
Your lack of worship.
Your leaving immediately after church.
Your giving money to everything but God.
Your refusal to pay tithes.
Your unresponsiveness to preaching.
Your lack of involvement to church functions and workdays.
Your influence on others.
Your marriage problems.

Is It The Lack Of Money For The Church?

Church payments coming due, knowing his name is on the line.
The utility bills.
How to pay the evangelist.
Wondering why all the saints won’t pay tithes.

Is It The Lack Of Money For Himself?

Deciding whether to get a second job or resign.
Wondering how he will be able to pay his bills.

Is It The Consequences Of Preaching Holiness?

What will happen if he preaches holiness from the pulpit?
What will happen if he enforces it?
What will happen if he doesn’t?
Why would people who want the Holy Ghost not want to be holy?

Is It Staff Members Who Are Out Of Line?

They are unproductive.
They have to be told what to do continually and followed up on.
They mainly create more problems than they do good.
They think they own the position.
They think they are the steward of the church finances and not the pastor.
They divulge sensitive information to others.
They will get hurt and offended if replaced.

Is It The Church Members Who Leave?

Every pastor asks himself what else could he have done?
Every pastor takes it personal.
Every pastor wonders who will go with them.

Is It Church Members Who Are Offended?

Those who wont stop fighting.
Those who are habitually offended.
Those who stay home to show their disapproval.

Is It Trying To Pastor A Church That Resists Revival?

A church that is content with church as usual and will not push itself toward revival.
A church that has lost a spirit of prayer.
A church that lost its spirit of worship.
A church that lets the praise singers do the worship for them.
A church that lets the same six or seven worship in the audience.
A church that won’t witness.
A church that is cliquish.
A church that won’t rally behind the pastor.
A church that never catches the pastor’s vision.
A church that is dead.