WAYS OFFENDED PEOPLE ATTACK YOU
When people are offended by you, they are like weapons in the enemy’s hands. They attack you—and you can lose a lot.
Remember, an offended person has taken the bait of Satan so we should not be surprised when they start acting like the devil.
John Wesley said something that rings true to me: “People who wish to be offended will always find some occasion for taking offense.”
Offense: something that causes displeasure, humiliation, anger, resentment, insult, slight or hurt.
1. They give you the cold shoulder.
What is the cold shoulder? It’s an unfriendly attitude. They won’t make eye contact with you. They give you short answers when they must speak.
This is the beginning of the attack
2. They avoid you.
When people are offended with you, they don’t return your texts or phone calls. They may even walk the other way when they see you coming.
This is a form of punishment.
3. They make social media manoeuvres.
Offended people may post content that low-key attacks you on social media. They may unfriend you or even block you.
This is a passive-aggressive attack.
4. They trash you to others.
Offended people start sharing “what you did” to them with other people. This can cause you to lose friends, opportunities, and promotions.
This is a higher-level attack.
5. They sabotage you.
As they grow more bitter toward you, offended people look for ways to sabotage you intentionally. They may flat-out lie about you to harm your relationships and your reputation.
This is an insidious attack.
6. They curse you.
They think evil thoughts about you and may even pray witchcraft prayers against you. This may cause a battle in your mind.
You don’t have to fall victim to offended people moving in wicked spirits. You can conquer this!
SPIRIT OF OFFENSE – THE BAIT OF SATAN
A trap is something hidden used to capture a prey. The trap is baited with something to lure the animal into the trap. One of Satan’s most common baits is offense. When we pick up the bait, offense, Satan closes his trap.
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility, correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare (trap) of the devil, have been taken captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Freedom from offense is essential because the world is full of offenses:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they come.” Luke 17:1
Offended people can be divided into two categories:
1. Those who have been wronged
2. Those who believe they have been wronged
This is a result of:
۰ Inaccurate information
۰ Or accurate, but distorted information
Judgment is made upon assumption, appearance, hearsay. You will find the greatest resentment and hatred between people who were once very close. These are the greatest hurts and have the potential for the greatest offenses.
Staying Offended:
One way the enemy keeps a person offended is to keep the offense propped up with Pride. This is because Pride keeps you from admitting your true condition. You are blinded to it. You insist that you are not offended, that you have forgiven. Pride keeps you from dealing with the truth. It keeps you from repentance, which sets you free.
If we fail to deal with the offense, it will produce much of the wrong fruit:
- Hurt
- Unforgiveness
- Anger
- Outrage
- Jealousy
- Resentment
- Strife
- Bitterness
- Hatred
- Envy
- Blame
- Deception
This fruit can result in:
- Insults
- Attacks
- Wounding
- Division
- Separation
- Broken Relationships
- Betrayal
- Backsliding
- Loss of Destiny
HOW TO BECOME FREE FROM OFFENSE:
1. Recognize that you are hurt – pride wants to keep you from admitting this.
2. Forgive those who hurt you, or those you perceive hurt you – If you do not forgive, God
turns you over to tormenting demons until you forgive.
“And his master was angry and delivered him to the tormenters until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses”. Matthew 18:34-35
Speak out Loud: Lord I forgive him. I release him from everything he has done. I wipe clean every record of wrong. I ask you to forgive him and to wipe clean every record of wrong.
3. Receive Deliverance from Offense and all underlings.
4. Pray for the person who has hurt you.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”. Matthew 5:44
5 . If possible, contact the person who hurt you. Ask for forgiveness for your part and
wrong attitudes.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE OFFENDED SOMEONE?
You may have done nothing wrong. No matter. It is up to you to attempt reconciliation. It is more important to help our brothers and sisters to be able to get out of the trap of offense and unforgiveness than to be proven “right”.
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift”
Matthew 5:21-24
Remember that this person feels, right or wrong, that you have mistreated them. It may be very hard for them to ask for forgiveness.
“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city. And contentions are like the bars of a castle.” Proverbs 18:19
In these cases, we must take the high road and humble ourselves to approach our brother and apologize. It takes maturity to walk in humility and ask for forgiveness. Taking the first step is harder for the person who is hurting. That’s why Jesus said you must go to them. Standing up for yourself and your “rights” will never bring peace and reconciliation. Are you willing to lay down your self-protection, your pride and your rights in order to be restored to a person who has offended you or you have offended?