Healing Offenses

In the transformation of whole drug controlled communities, God had to instruct the spiritual leaders "NOT" to be offended with each other, in order to implement His plan!   www.transformnations.com

Sometimes we can be creative when it comes to rooting out those offenses that keep coming back into our thought life like weeds.  Those of us who like gardening  could perhaps create a cemetery garden outside or inside in a pot/planter.  We can forgive and then bury those hurts.  We can use rocks, seeds, or whatever will work for us.  Did any of you bury pets (or birds in a cigar/shoe box), have a funeral, make a cross, and commit them to God?  There are worry stones and worry dolls.  We can bury most anything.  When the offense comes to mind again, we can tell it (in the name of Jesus) to go back to the garden where it is buried and in God's hands (or under your and God's feet)!  Remember, we too are buried with Christ.  That is, our old nature.  So too, we can reprimand our old nature to stop pestering us.  We can concentrate on our present and future work on earth, for time is short.  We do not have time to waste thinking about the past, especially the forgiven past.  God has forgotten, so let us do likewise.

Sometimes offenses get a grip on our thoughts, emotions, and/or body like a weight/pressure/oppression.
Quoting the Word of God to contradict those physical/human realities seems like a lie, because we are  experiencing just the opposite in our flesh.  It will take the Holy Spirit to exterminate the negative demonic stronghold and free us from the evil grip of Satan/hurt/suffering.  It will take the Holy Spirit to transform His Word from being dead and invisible into being alive and experiential.  As we proclaim His Word that contradicts our negative circumstances, it will begin to reverse each offense.  Do NOT rely on the human experience.  Rather, rely on God to work His miracle in our hearts.
Take manure.  It stinks.  God uses it to fertilize and grow awesome vegetation.  Trust Him, not feelings.
Refuse to be offended.  Refuse to be hurt.  Refuse to allow another's actions to dictate how you think about or respond to another individual.  Rather, say to self, this offense does NOT exist in my eyes or the eyes of God.  Neither do I mention it to another, including my mate.  In the name of Jesus, I will NOT be offended.  In the name of Jesus, the offense does NOT exist.  In the name of Jesus, just the opposite is now true.  In the name of Jesus, so and so is pleasing in my sight and in the sight of God.  Amen.

Father Joseph K Bill (now deceased) used to have a 6 day retreat.  One of those days was dedicated to healing of memories.  He believed that the mind consists of conscious, sub-conscious, and unconscious (which include trauma to mother during her pregnancy, in addition to any genetic or inherited issues).  His masses included quoting the words of Christ, deliverance rites, and an exorcism rite.  Father contended that the brain is erased of all past, present and future generational curses/problems/hurts during this mass/service.  Like a computer reformats the hard drive/disk, God reformats the brain, erasing all offenses when we forgive. www.frbillretreat.com     Inner Healing Prayer Service   DVD  may be obtained from www.frbill.net

This will help clue you in to whether or not you are offended.  Whenever one gets angry or hurt due to what another person COULD OF (have) done or SHOULD OF (have) done, then one is, in all likelihood, offended.

Scripture

Offense/Offence

Psalm 19:12-13    Who can understand his (own) errors?  Cleanse me from secret (unrecognized/unconfessed /offensive to God) faults.  Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.  Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression (and free from it's consequences).
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV    Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me.  Lead me in the way everlasting.

1st Samuel 25:30-33 NJKV    "It shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself.  When the Lord has dealt with my lord, then remember your maidservant."  Then David said to Abigail, "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me.  Blessed is your advice and  blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand."

Isaiah 8:11-14 NKJV    The Lord spoke thus to me (Isaiah) with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be  troubled.  The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread.  He will  be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Many among them shall stumble, fall and be broken; be snared and taken."

Hosea 5:10-15 NKJV    "The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water.  Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked by human precept.  Therefore, I will be to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah like  rottenness.  When Ephraim saw his sickness, and  Judah saw his  wound,  then Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jared; yet he cannot cure you, nor heal you of your wound, for I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah.  I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.  I will return again to My place, till they acknowledge their offense.  Then they will see My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

Habakkuk 1:11 NKJV    "His mind changes and he transgresses;  he commits offense, ascribing this power to his god."

                                                                     New Testament

Matthew 16:23 NKJV    He (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
Matthew 18:3-35 NKJV    3(Jesus) said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  4Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  5Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  6Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drown in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of offenses.  Offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes. 
8If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into (eternal) life lame or maimed, rather than have 2 hands or 2 feet, and/to be cast into the everlasting fire.  9If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into (eternal) life with 1 eye, rather than have 2 eyes, and/to be cast into hell fire.  10Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angles always see the face of My Father Who is in heaven.  11For the Son of Man has come to save him/her who was lost.  12What do you think?  If a man has a 100 sheep, and 1 of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the 1 who is straying?  13If he  should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 who did not go astray.  14Even so, it is not the will of your Father Who is in heaven that 1 of these little ones should perish. 
15Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 
16If he will not hear, take with you 1 or 2 more, that by the  mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses every word may be established. 
17If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  If he refuses even to hear the church,  let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 
18Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19Again I say to you that if 2 of you agree on earth  concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where 2 or 3 are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him; up to 7 times?"  22Jesus said to him, "I do say to you, up to 7 times, but up to 70 x 7. 
23The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  24When he had  begin to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents.  25As he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, and/so that payment (could) be made.  26The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  27Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.  28But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a 100 denarii; he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'  29So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged hi, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  30He would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.  31So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved and came and told their master all  that had been done.  32Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.  33Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'  34His master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  35So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, do not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Spiritual insight = If God Himself does not administer justice via His angels/agents, then He will allow Satan/hell/disease/death/curses/etc. to accomplish that justice.)

Luke 23:34 KJVer    Said Jesus, "Father, forgive them (for this offense), for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:46 KJVer    When Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."  Having said thus, He gave up the ghost.

Acts 7:59-60 KJVer    59They stoned Stephen, (who was) calling upon God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  60He kneeled down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin (offense) to their charge."  When he had said this, he fell asleep (His spirit went to be with Christ).
Acts 24:14-16 NKJV    "According to the Way, which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the (Old Testament/Torah) Law and in the Prophets.  I (Paul) have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.  This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men."

Romans 5:15-21 NKJV    15(The free gift is not like the offense.  For if by one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.  16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free  gift which came from (forgave) many offenses resulted in justification (being declared innocent/not  guilty).  17If by one man's offense death reigned through the one, (then how) much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)  18Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteousness act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.  19By one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so also, by one Man's obedience many were made righteous.  20Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound, but where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 9:33 NKJV    It is written (in Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16), "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
                                                                   regarding food
Romans 14:19-20 NKJV   Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense (shame/guilty conscience).

1st Corinthians 10:23-32 NKJV    23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.  24Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.  25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26for "the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness" (Psalm 24:1).  27If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for (their) conscience' sake.  28But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for (their) conscience' sake; for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness".  29"Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other.  For why is (should be) my liberty (freedom/belief in Christ) judged (to be evil/sin/offense) by another man's conscience (unbelief/doctrinal difference of opinion/degree of trust in God)?  30But if I partake with thanks, why am I spoken of (as being) evil for the food over which I give thanks?  31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  32Give no offense, either to the Jews, Greeks, or to the church (congregation) of God, 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 
(Spiritual insight =  Perhaps this principle can apply to other areas such as medications and vitamins, which some consider good, some consider evil, and some consider unnecessary if one has sufficient faith in the healing/deliverance power of Jesus.)

2nd Corinthians 6:3 NKJV    We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
2nd Corinthians 11:7 NKJV    Did I commit sin (offend you) in humbling myself that you might be exalted?
                                                         stone/rock/cross of offense
Galatians 5:4,11,18 NKJV    You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace...Brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution?  Then the offense of the cross has ceased...If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV    This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ('s return).
1st Peter 2:7-8 NKJV    To you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. (Isaiah 8:14)"

Offences

Ecclesiastes 10:4 NKJV    If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; for conciliation pacifies great offenses.

Luke 17:1-4 NKJV    He (Jesus) said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!  It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than he should offend one of these little ones.  Take heed to yourselves.  If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you 7 times in a day and 7 times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."   

Romans 4:13-25 NKJV    13The promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed - through the law (Torah), but through the righteousness of faith (in God and His son Jesus the Messiah).  14If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law, there is no  transgression.  16Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be according to  grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the (spiritual) father of us all.  17(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." Genesis 17:5)  in the presence of Him whom he believed - God, Who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18who, contrary to hope, in hope,  believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken (aloud/prophesied/predicted), "So shall your descendants be." Genesis 15:5  19Not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about 100 years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.  20He did not waver through unbelief, at the promise of God, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,  21being full convinced that what He had promised,  He was able to perform.  22Therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." Genesis 15:6  23Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24but also for us.  It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him Who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25Who was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification.
Romans 16:17 NKJV    I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them.

Offend

                                                                                     stumbling block/false counsel
Job 34:1,31 NKJV    Elihu further answered and said (to Job), "Has anyone said to God, 'I have borne chastening; I will offend no more.  Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.'?" (Spiritual insight = Although good advise, it was inappropriate for Job, thus wrong, not godly, not from the Holy Spirit.)
Psalm 73:15 NKJV    If I had said, "I will speak thus;" behold, I would have been untrue (an offense) to the generation of Your children.
Psalm 119:165 NKJV    Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing (no offense) causes them to stumble.

Jeremiah 2:1-3 NKJV    The word of the Lord came to me (Jeremiah) saying, "2Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the Lord.  I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land now sown.  3Israel was holiness to the Lord, the first fruits of His increase.  All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them," says the Lord.;"

Matthew 5:22-30 NKJV    22"I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  Whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of hell fire.  23Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.  25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.  27You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery."  28But I say to you, that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  29If your right eye (offend you/another/God) causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  30If your right hand caused you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." 
Matthew 13:41 KJVer    The Son of Man shall send forth His angels.  They shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who do iniquity.
Matthew 17:27 KJVer    Lest we should offend them,     go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the fish that first comes up.  When you have opened its mouth, you shall find a piece of money.  Take that and give it to them for Me and you.   
Matthew 18:6 KJVer    Whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in Me, it were (would be) better for him, that a millstone were hung about his neck, and that he were drown in the dept of the sea. 

Mark 9:42-48 KJVer    42"Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.  43If your hand offend you, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than to have 2 hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched,  44where their worm dies not and the fire is not quenched.  45If your foot offend you, cut it off; it is better for you to enter halt (lame/crippled) into life, than to have 2 feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, 46where their worm dies not and the fire is not quenched.  47If your eye offend you, pluck it out.  It is better for it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have 2 eyes to be cast into hell fire, 48where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched."

Luke 17:2-4 NKJV    2"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3Take heed.  If your your brother sins against you, rebuke him.  If he repents, forgive him.  4If he sins against you 7 times in a day and 7 times in a day returns to you saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
                                                                communion
John 6:53-61 NKJV    53Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.  54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  55For My flesh is food indeed and My blood is drink indeed.  56He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him.  57The living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.  58This is the Bread which came down from heaven - not (the same bread) manna as your fathers ate and are dead.  He who eats this (spiritual) Bread will live forever."  59These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.  60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; "Who can understand it?"  61When Jesus knew in Himself (perceived/understood) that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you?"

James 2:10 KJVer    Whosoever shall keep the whole law, yet offend (stumble) in one point, is guilty of all.
James 3:2,10 KJVer    In many things we offend all.  If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body.  Out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Offended

Proverbs 18:19 NLT  It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. 
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.

Jeremiah 50:6-7 NKJV    "My people have been lost sheep.  Their shepherds have led them astray; they have turned them away on the mountains.  They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.  7All who found them have devoured them; their adversaries said, 'We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.'"

Hosea 4:14-15 NKJV    "I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go apart with harlots and offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot.  Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.  Though you, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah be offended."

Mark 6:1-6 TNAB  1He departed from there and returned to His own part (Nazareth) of the country (Israel) followed by His disciples.  2When the Sabbath came He began to teach in the synagogue in a way that kept His large audience amazed.  They said, "Where did He get all this?  What kind of wisdom is He endowed with?  How is it that such miraculous deeds are accomplished by His hands?  3Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary (and) a brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  Are not His sisters our neighbors here?"  They (were offended) found Him too much for them.  4Jesus' response to all this was, "No prophet is without honor, except in his native place, among his own kindred, and in his own house."  5He could work NO miracle there, apart from curing a few who were sick, by laying hands on them. 6So much did their lack of faith distress Him (that) He made the rounds of the neighboring villages instead, and spent His time teaching.
Mark 14:29 KJVer    Peter said to Him, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I."

1st Corinthians 8:13 KJVer    If meat (offered to idols) makes my brother offended, I will eat no flesh (sacrificed to idols) while the world stands, lest I make my brother offended.

 Offender(s)

1st Kings 1:21
Isaiah 29:21
Acts 25:11

Offensive

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV    Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

What does God require of us who are offended?

Job 42:7-8 NKJV    The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your 2 friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.  Now therefore, take for yourselves 7 bulls and 7 rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering.  My servant Job shall pray for you (the offender), for I will accept him (Job), lest I deal with you according to your folly."   

Psalm 35:13 NKJV    As for me, when they (the offenders) were sick, my clothing was sackcloth.  I humbled myself with fasting.  My prayer would return to my own heart. I paced about as though he were my friend or brother.  I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

Ezekiel 33:16 NIV    None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him.

                                                                      Publications

Baxter, Mary K with Lowery, TL       The Power of the Blood                  Order book #1140
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/marykbaxter  subtitle = Healing for Your Spirit, Soul and Body
Testimonies of the Power of the Blood section Kept by the Blood, The Transcendent Life of Agape Love
"Agape love is only learned by being utterly broken, by suffering without resentment."

Bevere, John                                        The Bait of Satan                       www.johnbevere.org
Being offended is a choice.  If we choose it, Satan wins and we lose.  Second, it is God's job to expose wrongs of our superiors, not necessarily our job.  It is God's job to defend us, not necessarily our job.  We are only accountable for those under us, such as our unmarried children or staff.  Bevere also discourages one from frequent church hopping, especially out of offense.  A must reading for those in relationships, especially those in ministry to others...  Rule of thumb is NEVER to offend (or protect ourselves from offense, excepting physical violence/harm/injury to self).  Never offend, unless/except it is in obedience to doing God's will; disobeying God is an offense to God.
Chapter 11 Forgiveness You Don't Give - You Don't Get shares an unnamed testimony of a Pilipino pastor who had a near death experience, where he saw his born-again mother-in-law in hell.  The Lord explained to him that the mother-in-law had refused to forgive a relative, and thus she herself could not be forgiven!  (Now this should scare us into running to the altar to repent!
Also see video Raised from the Dead, autobiography of Nigerial pastor Daniel Ekechukwu. 
Daniel met a born-again-pastor in hell! www.cfan.org ) 
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV    "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, in Your name drive out demons, and perform many miracles?'  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.  Away from Me, you evildoers!'"
In another instance, the Lord instructed a woman to forgive her dead husband.
Forgiveness consists 4 main steps - (1) Asking God to forgive us for not forgiving,
(2) Releasing the individual from our judgment/heart/expectation/condemnation, thereby absolving the other of any guilt.  (Jesus on the cross prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Stephen while being stoned to death prayed, Father, do not hold this charge against them.")
Other steps include a (3) commitment to continually pray for God to bless that individual those same prayers we pray for ourselves plus a (4) commitment to foster reconciliation solely to benefit the other (with zero self serving motives). 
(Spiritual insight/reminder = Our enemy is not an individual, but rather Satan.)
Bevere, John                                    The Devil's Door                            www.johnbevere.org
Subtitle = How obedience to God can protect you from the bondage of sin.
Bevere, John                                    The Fear of the Lord                       www.johnbevere.org
Bevere, John                                     Honor - Rewards                            www.johnbevere.org   
It is imperative that God get the entire honor and the entire glory.  Even one crumb of pride can prevent God from using us.  A crumb triggers the making of a pearl in a clam.  The pearl is NOT a jewel; rather it is God's way of covering up dirt/irritation, the way His blood covers over our sin when we repent.  John's book shows us how we can honor each other.  What we do to the least of them, we do unto Him, according to scripture.  We need to learn another's love language, so that we can honor another, the way he/she can receive it.

Borlase, Craig                                  William Seymour            publisher    www.charismahouse.com
Biography.  Seymour forbade his congregation to criticize,  condemn or judge pastors or churches.

Burt, Arthur                                     Around the World in 88 Years    www.arthurburt.com
Chapter 4 Pastor Burt  "Until you can sweetly bear having nothing, you cannot bear something to the glory of God.  Psalm 119:165 says, 'Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.'  Not even having nothing."
Chapter 9 Forbid Them Not  "The lesson we all have to learn (is that)...we cannot be right in taking offense, even though somebody else wrongs us.  I took offense.  The Word of God says, 'Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.' (Psalm 119:165)...My attitude (of offense) left me with an inheritance.  I found the incident had done something to my insides and it became more than uncomfortable as it developed into a very painful condition."

Hagin, Kenneth W (Junior)    Avoiding the Trap of Being Offended    www.rhema.org  
"Staying offending costs US, but forgiving those who wrong us pays the rich dividends." http://www.iworshiphere.com/home.aspx  Check out TV/radio broadcasts. 1st week of 9/2008 radio broadcast is on offense.

Kelley, Earthquake    Order book #1122 "Bound to Lose, Destined to Win"   http://earthquakekelleyministries.org/books/ 
Chapter 7 This is Paradise -                              God spoke to Earthquake about grudges, blaming, and unforgiveness, "Some have set themselves up in ministry that was not of Me...Go back and tell My church that people are holding grudges against Me because I have not given them the things they wanted. Some have cursed Me in their hearts because I did not answer them as quickly as they wanted.  Some have yelled to Me while on their knees, 'Why did You let my mother die?  You let me down.  Why did You let my mother leave me?'  Others have cursed My name and vowed never to pray (talk) to Me again."
"Some blame Me because they lost their jobs.  They are saying to Me, 'You don't care'...Some give Me a deadline...
I am being blamed because people are not married...I am being blamed by some because they were molested as a child.  Some believe I allowed men to rape them...They say to Me, 'Where were You when I needed You?  I hate You."  Until they repent, they cannot be blessed.  Nobody can receive from Me as long as they are holding things against Me.  They cannot receive from Me and hate Me in their hearts...
Many people in the church have held grudges against others for years.  Tell them that I will not bless them until they repent and forgive those who wronged them.  Many sicknesses in the church are not related to anything in the demonic realm.  They are related to bitterness and unforgiveness.  Tell them to forgive each other and to repent for holding grudges.  Until they forgive others, I cannot forgive them.  They will not be healed of their infirmities until they forgive.  People are seeking My hand and not My face...Tell them that unless they repent, sickness and disease will not leave their bodies.  Once cursed by Me, no prayer will help them, because their sins have placed them under this curse.   Unless they repent, they will die with their sicknesses...
Some who thought they were saved when they died are not with Me.  They are lost in the torments of hell, because they did not repent of their hidden sins."  (Also remember to forgive yourself, once You have asked for God to forgive you!)
Chapter 14  Questions & Answers - "Offense causes us to hold a grudge, which makes us angry and bitter.  Anger and bitterness lead to unforgiveness, which causes us to hold on to the belief that we have a right to feel the way we do because of how we were treated.  We might spend our lives wanting to make the person pay for what they did to us...
Our health will be destroyed as we develop a multitude of physical and mental disorders...Anything less than complete forgiveness is an open door to the enemy...
See them (offenders) as people who have allowed  the enemy too much control in their lives, just as you are (now) doing when you live with bitterness and unforgiveness (which)...could keep us out of heaven."  When we say, "I'm not going to forgive because I have a right to feel this way after what this person did to me," then you are committing rebellion which God calls the sin of witchcraft which will keep you out of heaven!  In the final analysis, you have offended God and sabotaged your own eternal life - unless you immediately repent!  Ouch!

Kornacki, Carol    Betrayal - the Deepest Cut  book   http://www.carolkornacki.org  Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
"Carol tells 12 different true stories of people who have been betrayed in the worst way (including) adultery, sexual abuse, a broken confidence and abortion."
READ Carol's testimony = http://prayerforsexualtrauma.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=20
WATCH Carol's web testimony 1+ 2  http://www.carolkornacki.org/Media.aspx 
#1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug1ktCI_Ny0  #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1mBSu5gdHs 
Just Before Death - The Carol Kornacki Story  DVD autobiography http://www.blogger.com/profile/09308193311622583108
Carol had 11 invited demons.  Delivered and healed by Jesus at Benny Hinn healing service.  Raised by mentally ill father and severely abusive parents.  Mother was involved with Spiritualism.  Carol had had 3 abortions.  Was addicted and had hepatitis B.  She had become involved in witchcraft , astral projection, soul travel, and knowing past/present/future via demons. Exposing The Darkness of witchcraft

Schubert, Linda                         5 Minute Miracles     booklet    www.linda-schubert.com
Chapter 6 Suggestions for Family Prayer  recommends praying a)for family when they are asleep, b)for their spirits to be open to the Holy Spirit, c)for healing deep in their hearts, and d)for removal of hardness and resentment in their hearts.

Shu Zen Duan, Irene    Our God is Real - Testimonies from My Life    Family tales from China
IV Passing on and Teaching God's Words to Next Generation   Judges 2:10-15 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers (passed away/died), another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel.  Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  They forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers...and they were in great distress.
"I think, not taking the responsibility of passing God's words to your children (, mates, family & friends) will be a sin of omission" (rather than the sin of commission, which is the typical sin of offense). 
Many individuals are easily offended by our NOT fulfilling their expectations (perceived rather than spoken or real).  A parent might expect appreciation or a thank you and not receive it.  A person might expect a thank you note for a gift given and not receive it.  Just remind yourself each time that you do not receive gratitude, that our Lord is DAILY waiting for His thank you from us.  This reminder may help remove the hurt and help put into our hearts appreciation towards our Heavenly Father.

Walters, Kathie                          Living in the Supernatural    www.www.goodnews.netministries.org
Chapter 8 The Judgments of the Lord Are True  "God had been unable to use me because I judged the man in my own heart...My heart was not righteous or full of compassion.  But Arthur did not make that kind of judgment; he waited until the Spirit of the Lord spoke."
"If you have judged anyone according to your own judgment, repent and ask the Lord to reveal His heart for that ministry or person, before you try to fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  If you have been judged with a false standard by another person or by a church, first forgive them, and break the spirit of false judgment and (the spirit of) false standards over you.  Even God's standards, if given in a legalistic spirit, do not manifest the heart of God, because they do not contain His grace. 
When you receive a word from the Lord for someone, and it contains correction or rebuke, be sure that your own emotions and biases are not involved.  Wait on the Lord.  Jesus never reacted; rather He always acted under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  If you react, your emotions will distort the word of the Lord, even though what you say may contain some truth.  A correction will become accusation.
If someone has judged you wrongly, and you want to set him straight, wait on the Lord.  He will tell you  whether to keep silent or to speak."  Check out e-books.   http://www.goodnews.netministries.org/store/ebooks.html
Walters, Kathie     Elitism And the False Shepherding Spirit: It's Devastating Results   book
Walters, Katie       The Visitation   The Spirit of False Judgment    Living in the Supernatural      Order #9008 - 3 books 
In The Spirit of False Judgment, chapter 13 Crucified with Christ, Kathie says a mouthful. When there is accusation and/or unjust or unfair treatment, do NOT react!  The old man/woman/kid/nature is dead/crucified in Christ. A corpse cannot react to feelings/thoughts/abuses/kicks/stabs/understandings/perceptions.  Always wait, wait, and wait some more until and if the Holy Spirit speaks/instructs you.  Only He knows the true cause and the cure for any situation.

Periodicals

Hagin, Kenneth W (Junior)    Taking on the Offense of Others 10/2008 The Word of Faith magazine editorial  www.khm.org  www.rhema.org
Gossip (tattling), repeating of transgressions against oneself (or others), for the purpose of self-gratification, infects others with a spirit of offense.  Others take on (pick up/catch/become infested with) our offense, unwittingly and spread it to other family/business/church members.  Danger.
Hagin, Kenneth W (Junior)    Love Triumphs over Offense 2/2009 The Word of Faith magazine editorial  www.khm.org  www.rhema.org
Like the excess accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, "just a 'little' grudge that you refuse or neglect to deal with can fester and become bigger and bigger, until it cuts off the flow of the (Holy) Spirit within."

Meyer, Joyce    Letting Go of Offenses editorial in 5/2006 magazine Enjoying Everyday Life  www.joycemeyer.org  Article urges us to forgive, pray for, & bless those who hurt us.  It says that holding onto offenses is holding onto unforgiveness, which grow roots, roots of bitterness, poison/imprisonment to our souls and strongholds for demons.  Rehearsing offenses in our minds infects the entire personality plus our relationships, including our relationship with God.  Forgiveness is NOT a feeling, but rather a decision, a choice (which Satan will NOT like). We even have to go the extra mile to NOT curse them with our mouth through gossip/tattling/bad mouthing/digging up the past - to the wrong people/neighbors/relatives (excluding police/doctors or a dependant who might need protection).
John 20:22-23 tells us that Jesus said..."Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive (pardon) anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." 

Audio/Video

Ferrell, Emerson & Ana Mendez   Experiences in Heaven   2 CD set     www.voiceofthelight.com
Ana shares her Patmos visit to heaven.  God shared with her that every time a sibling or other person fails to love and fails to forgive, His wounds hurt and our wounds fester.  Love is a must!  God needs us to love each other & to love HIM, because everything created has a piece of Him in it.

Huch, Larry                    Take NO Offense               audio       www.larryhuchministries.com  

Meyer, Joyce                   Dealing with Offense          CD#277 or DVD#s698         www.joycemeyer.org
When some one offends/hurts you, do not think about yourself.  Think what they have done to themselves.  The offender wants you to mend them, because he/she does not like/love  self.  He/she is needy/broken...If you are the offender, do not look to others to fix you.  Look to Jesus...Finally, do not offend God, and if you do immediately repent!
Do not be ashamed nor offended by our trials, which help to test and grow us up in God and help prepare/equip us to minister to others.  The greater the trial, the greater the ministry potential.    He gives us double for our trouble.
Don't be offended when others are healed and you are not, when others see angels and you don't, when others visit heaven and you do not, when others receive glory-dust/diamonds/manna/gold from heaven and you don't, and/or when others fail to fulfill your expectations.  John the Baptist died in jail, while Peter was rescued by an angel.

Morrison, Randy             Slaying the Giant of Being Offended        cassette #1340, CD, or DVD   www.exaltedword.org       www.commonsenseapproach.org     Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA  
"You cannot go forward looking backwards." 
"Don't wait for Benny Hinn to lay hands on you...Lay hands on yourself - and Jesus."

Web Sites/Casts

Blasingame, Loretta  3/3-9/2008   Oceanside, California It's Supernatural TV broadcast     www.sidroth.org 
Loretta has been both to heaven and hell.  Jesus spoke to her warning her that hell is populated with those holding hate and unforgiveness.  She is author of  IS ANYBODY UP THERE? Good News Etc. Book Review    02/02/2008   audio   mp3   http://www.pastorlbm.org/  (760) 758-5747   Loretta Blasingame Foundation  http://www.lbfnd.org   Dallas, Texas

Burt, Arthur http://www.arthurburt.com/aburt/real.htm   
Being Offended  10/20/94  Real Player  Windows Media  
To download this message as mp3, Rt. Click Here...Save Target As...and save the file to your computer.

Copeland, Kenneth & Duplantis, Jesse     6/15/2007    How to Love Someone You Don't Like    http://www.kcm.org/media/webcasts/archive.php

Forgiveness

Meyer, Joyce    1/25/2010 Overcoming Offense   http://www.katemcveigh.org/  http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/TV/Archive/20100125.htm
Joyce welcomes Kate McVeigh to share with you how to respond in a positive way every time.
Meyer, Joyce    1/26/10 Don’t Take Offense - Part 1 http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/TV/Archive/20100126.htm
Meyer, Joyce    1/27/2010 Don’t Take Offense - Part 2 http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/TV/Archive/20100127.htm
Meyer, Joyce    1/28/2010 Don’t Be Offended by Trouble - Part 1   http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/TV/Archive/20100128.htm
Meyer, Joyce    1/29/2010 Don’t Be Offended by Trouble - Part 2   http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/TV/Archive/20100129.htm

Moore, Beth    Living Forgiving: Everyday Offenses #1  MP3    http://salemnet.vo.llnwd.net/o29/lifetoday/mp3/2008/08/80806.mp3
Moore, Beth    Living Forgiving: Everyday Offenses #2  MP3    http://salemnet.vo.llnwd.net/o29/lifetoday/mp3/2008/08/80820.mp3   
Moore, Beth    Living Forgiving: Everyday Offenses #3  MP3    http://salemnet.vo.llnwd.net/o29/lifetoday/mp3/2008/09/80903.mp3

Ndifon, Charles     Johnston, Rhode Island, USA    www.christlove.org   www.imiraclecenter.org
According to Charles, it is imperative to keep one's focus on Jesus and off our problems or self and to disregard/reject/ignore/refuse all lies, that is everything that contradicts God's thoughts/opinion/words.  Those (who claim Christ) must be dead to self.  If we are DEAD, then we cannot acknowledge/accept/ agree with any negative emotions/feelings/illnesses/hurts that affect the flesh.  Dead people cannot be offended/hurt/diseased.  The part of us that is alive is Christ, Who is unaffected by harm.  As our brains/ minds are reformatted with the truths of scripture, then we can more and more be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do what Christ and His disciples did.  Not only that, as we become mature sons of Father God and brothers/sisters of Jesus, we think what they thought, say what they said, and do what they did (miracles/healings/signs/wonders).  

Roberts, Oral  This Is Your Day TV broadcast 1/14/2008 The Prize of God's High Calling -1  WATCH NOW    SEND
Roberts, Oral  This Is Your Day TV broadcast 1/15/2008 The Prize of God's High Calling -2  WATCH NOW    SEND

Wilkerson, David    Offended in Christ - When God Seems slow to Answer Expectations  http://www.worldchallenge.org/node/1099   www.worldchallenge.org  Topic redefined = Being offened AT God or By God - for His failure to Act. 
Remember, God DID act to redeem the world through His son Jesus the Messiah.  It is NOW our turn to act on His act.  Each generation and each individual has this same responsibility.  However, many never SEE with their eyes the redemption they expect and die disgruntled.  How tragic.
"I want to expose Satan’s most effective, destructive device...
“The devil is setting you up, trying to ensnare you. But you can’t entertain his lies. He (Satan) says (via my thoughts that) I’m not who I claim to be (and that God is not Who He says He is)...
Today, the devil attacks us in the same way he came against John the Baptist (and against Jesus in the garden, in the wilderness and on the cross)...The devil (may have) sensed impatience in John. Impatience is the inability to wait or bear afflictions calmly...Impatient believers are offended when they see God working miracles all around them but not in their lives. They’re offended at what they believe is God’s slowness to answer them, and over time they feel neglected and imprisoned...When we’re offended by God, there is a danger of spinning out of faith completely. And the longer we hold onto our offense, the harder it becomes to break through our prison bars of unbelief...
All Satan had to do was to trick John into speaking 3 words. These 3 words would quickly undo all the prophecies that had been delivered centuries before. It would undo all the good that God had accomplished in and through John. And it would shipwreck the faith of untold multitudes, including generations to come. What were the 3 words that Satan wanted John to utter? (They are/were,) 'I have regrets!'
The word 'regret' means 'distress over unfulfilled expectations.' To regret is to say, 'My hopes have NOT been met.' In short, it’s a statement that refutes one’s own faith...
Yet James 1:2–4 gives us the cure: 'My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'"
(You see, it is NOT for the mind to understand; rather it is for one's human spirit to discern by the instruction/enlightenment of the Holy Spirit!)

Wommack, Andrew        Anger Management      audio series    http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1044
Godly Anger  Real  MP3  Ungodly Anger's Source  Real  MP3  Anger Towards God, Others, And Self  Real  MP3
Wommack, Andrew        Hardness Of Heart         audio series    http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1003 
The Crisis    The Cause # 1      The Cause # 2      The Cure

COMMENTARY

One of the big consequences in allowing offenses/bitterness/unforgiveness to remain is that
emotional hurts produce spiritual infections/infestations/pus which are problems or potential problems. 
They are often the root cause of many diseases, the failure to progress spiritually, and/or the failure to receive healing.
If one's body if full of puss/cancer/rot/infection it is literally eating away one's health.
It is not so much that we sin, but that we fail to forgive.  The sin of omission rather than commission.
A demon of offense can enter now or later and bring in all his bedfellows/drinking buddies/accomplices such as anger/ revenge/hatred/bitterness.  We or a demon can open the door of our heart to negative emotions and their respective demons.  This requires that we do all necessary homework to repent/rebuke/renounce/bind/ refuse/reject any present and future negative/inappropriate/harmful emotional and/or demonic thoughts/feelings/behaviors.
Afterwards we need to close all doors which have been opened to the enemy Satan.  We can do this. 
Also, we can ask the Holy Spirit to close and lock all doors plus to fill up all the spaces vacated by the enemy. 
If there is a root issue that allowed the offense and other infestations of the heart,
then the Holy Spirit may need to first illuminate/expose it so we can acknowledge and repent.

If you have already gone through a season of being offended and bump into another, consider
1 - Does this feel/seem familiar?
2 - Are the same hurts being repeated?
3 - Are both parties offended/hurt/angry/wounded?
4 - Are both parties self-righteous/haughty/arrogant/partially right?
5 - Do you recognize a pattern of behavior, such as not speaking/communicating/secrecy, retreating/ isolation/protection, retaliation/meanness/spitefulness/punishment, self-absorption/delusion, superiority/ arrogance/self-righteousness, blaming/accusation/finger pointing, and getting others to take sides.
6 - Is it a matter of fact rather than a matter of the heart, where no love exists?
7 - Ah ha.  Yes, it is the "evil spirit of offense", and perhaps many others.
8 - Never fall into the enemy's trap.  Bind that nasty spirit and claim the opposite for the situation, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Enlist the Holy Spirit and His angels to defend and help both parties, that His perfect will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
9 - Recognize that you are enough of a threat to the enemy for him to attack you; that's good news.  Praise God.

Cupid is real.  He is an angel with an arrow aimed at the heart.  However, he is an evil fallen angel.  He comes to pierce our heart with wounds.  Recognize him or at least recognize his arrows.  Remember, we are corpses, dead in Christ,  so when the arrows land, remind oneself, "I am dead.  I cannot feel/accept these wounds.  I refuse/reject them, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Thanks and praise be to Jesus Christ Who bore all wounds and hurts for us.  I worship and thank you Lord.  I apologize for those wounds, sins and diseases which disfigured You so much that you were hardly recognizable.  I apologize for man's abusing/maiming You worse than any other human, due to our collusion with our  invisible enemy Satan.  When dying, both Steven and Christ said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing; hold this sin not against them."  Jesus said to the women watching Him carry His cross (our burdens), "Don't cry for Me; rather weep for yourselves;" but be reminded that every jab/gossip/malice is a wound to His body and every retort/retaliation given from self defense/human nature is also an offense to Him.  Wait to respond to His voice and NOT the other person.

Remember not.  Never allow offenses to hang around long enough to put them into your diary!

COVERING

There are times when we need to cover another's nakedness or even our own nakedness, not to let it all hang out, not to tell all, to all.  Sometimes when we are in an emotional storm we broadcast our or other's sins of the past, often sins that God has already forgiven.  Ouch.  Then we or others get rejected and we blame the accuser or the victim, when it is all the fault of the tattle-tale.  Lord, how stupid and wrong this is.  Please forgive and fix this big mouth of ours.  Reformat our emotions and our hearts.  Give us new methods, understanding, insights and love.  Lord, please reveal to us the right times and people to whom to share any secrets, especially those that are under Your blood.  Thank You Lord.  In Jesus name.  Amen.