OVERCOMING OFFENSES

WORD OF GOD: Luke 17:1 ( NKJV ) Then

He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

THINK RIGHT TO OVERCOME OFFENSES a.) THINKING RIGHT IS THINKING GUIDED

BY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD

DEUTERONOMY 11:18 b.)THINKING RIGHT IS ABOUT TAKING OUR

THOUGHTS TO MAKE THEM OBEDIENT TOCHRIST…( ANY THOUGHT THAT DISOBEYS CHIRST IS A WRONG THOUGHT )

2 CORINTHIANS 10:5  c.) THINKING RIGHT IS THINKING UNDER

THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY SPIRITROMANS 8:6. MIND CONTROLLED BY

THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE.

HOW TO OVERCOME OFFENSES

5.) OVERLOOK ALL “NOT SERIOUS” OFFENSES TO PREVENT FURTHER TROUBLES, HEARTACHES AND WASTE OF TIME. Proverbs 19:11  A man's wisdom

gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. 

   

(NLT)  Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 

6.) SEEK ADVISE FROM SENIOR PASTOR IN FOLLOWING THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR “HUGE” OFFENSES TO SETTLE OFFENSES ( DISPUTES ) Matthew 18:15  If your brother

sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 

Matthew 18:16  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 

Matthew 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 

7.) LOVE ALL OFFENDERS SINCERELY WITH AGAPE LOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  note: Don’t keep record of

wrongs so as to use them later as weapon na “ panumbat “

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

1Peter 4:8  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

(AMP)  Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. [Prov. 10:12.] 

Proverbs 10:12  Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. 

1Corinthians 13:5  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

True love is tested. Offenses are tests of love.

The greater the offense is, the greater the love is.

note: True love is tested.

Offences are tests of love.  The greater the offence is , the

greater the love is. The true measure of love’s

depth is revealed by the offences.

Matthew 5:43  You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 

Matthew 5:44  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

Matthew 5:45  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous

Matthew 5:46  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 

Matthew 5:47  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 

Matthew 5:48  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

God rewards us when we show true love to the offenders

8.) DO SOMETHING GOOD AND NEVER TAKE REVENGE TO THE OFFENDER AS A GESTURE THAT YOU DONT TOLERATE ANY NEGATIVE SPIRIT TO ENTER INTO YOUR HEART AND A TESTIMONY OF TRUE FORGIVENESS

TO FORGIVE IS TO OBEY GOD AND TO NOT FORGIVE IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.

UNFORGIVENESS IS A SIN  

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:19  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 

Romans 12:20  On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 

Romans 12:21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

1Peter 5:5  Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 

1Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

NOTE: PROUD PEOPLE ARE EASILY

OFFENDED.  GOOD PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED TO

REVEAL THEIR PRIDE. BE A BLESSING TO THE OFFENDER

BY GOD’S GRACE AS A STRONG OVERCOMER AND MATURE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST DEVELOPING CHRISTLIKENESS FOR GOD’S GLORY. 

CONCLUSION: Matthew 5:46  If you love those who love you,

what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 

God has rewards for you each time you overcome an offence esp the “huge” offenses

God will lift you up as you humble to forgive the  offenders and overcome their offences.