Living in the Light

How many times has your life been wrecked because you were offended?  It’s no secret that the spirit of offense and division is the spirit of the world and this present age. People everywhere are offended about SOMETHING.  In yesterday's message, Pastor Nate talked about allowing and yielding to a critical spirit, about setting ourselves above others and grading them.  I believe offense and a critical spirit go hand in hand, and one thing is for sure, when we yield to these devilish spirits, we have, as Pastor Nate said, just capped Heaven's flow.  Children of God carry Heaven's flow.  If I've allowed myself to become critical of or offended with a carrier of Heaven, I've just stopped Heaven's flow.  

One thing I know about offense - it messes you up in every area of your life.  It is all consuming.  You view everything through the lens of this offense, therefore your reality is not reality at all. Suddenly, you have to fight for your rights and nurse your wounds. You feel constant pressure to defend yourself and let everyone know why you are offended, and the worst thing of all, you pull others in with you into this horrible dark place of deception. Offended people look for offended people. The spirit of division knows where it is allowed to operate.  No matter how JUSTIFIED an offense may seem, the outcome of yielding to the offense is the same - bondage, and ultimately destruction. Destruction of relationships, families, and even our God given assignments. 

Kenneth Copeland said, “The spirit of division takes a DIFFERENCE and MAGNIFIES it in HATE in order to separate people. And a house divided against itself cannot stand. When we take the Light of God's Word and expose who is responsible for offenses - the spirit of division - and quit blaming people for it, then we've got him!  He can't stand the Light! 
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If we’ll address the spirit behind it, instead of the people themselves, we will find that the “feelings” of offense will not even take root, the Love of God that's been shed abroad in our hearts will dominate, our relationships will be blessed and we will continue running our race without even a bump in the road. 

Ephesians 6:11: “Put on all of God’s Armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against evil spirits in heavenly places.”

James 4:7:  “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  

CONFESSION:  I walk in love and forgive as I have been freely forgiven by God.  I believe the best of others and with vigilance I guard the unity of the body.  I deal graciously with people and viscously with evil spirits.  I will not grade others as God has not dealt with me according to my sins or shortcomings, but according to His rich mercy and kindness.  I am a conduit of heaven's flow.