Are you offended?

The Trap,

Ever been trapping?  Anyone who has ever been trapping knows that it takes one of two things to be successful. It must be hidden in the hopes that the animal will stumble upon it, and it must be baited to lure the animal into the traps deadly jaws.  This is what satan does and he is more deceptive and cunning than any human on this earth.  It is his job to trap you that is his only focus in my opinion.

Offense is one of the most insidious, nastiest, most deceptive kinds of bait there is and we have all encountered it at one time or another in our lives.  Offended people choose to live this way and they produce much fruit.  It is just not the edible kind.  Many signs of being offended are, hurt, anger, jealousy resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred (which is murder) trying to control people and envy.  I would say if you have any of these symptoms then most likely you are walking in offense.  Most people who are offended do not even realize they are trapped.  They are so focused on the wrong that was done to them.  They are in denial.  The most effective way for the enemy to blind us is to cause us to focus on ourselves.  What do we called it when we focus on ourselves?  Would that be PRIDE?  Holy Spirit says in 

James 3.16 for where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Jesus said in Luke 17.1 it is impossible that no offenses shall come, but woe to him through who they do come.

Psalm 55:12 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

    It is those who you care about you that hurt you you the most.

2 Timothy 2: 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 

I have questions …. How does your fruit taste?  If I went to your spouse and asked if you are hurt and offended or walking in unforgiveness, what would they say?

Are you living with a victim mentality?  Do you defend your position on the matter?

Are you prideful?  Pride will keep you from admitting your true condition.  

Out of the mouth the heart speaks.

Parts of what I wrote today came out of chpt one of the Bait of Satan.  Choose to be free today!

I judged God

James 4:12 there's only one lawgiver and judge, the one who's able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor.    (or God) 

In my case who am I to judge God?

A few months ago, I was asked to speak at Leads luncheon.   It's a great opportunity to speak about my profession and faith to contractors, re modelers and swap business cards and stuff.

I spent about 3 days praying and seeking what I was going to say, I  was very excited!  I had a couple of friends invite me to this event not knowing that I was the speaker. I said Absolutely I'll be there.  I was fixing to tell them that I was speaking, and I heard Holy Spirit say, 

“why do you need to tell him that?” 

 I chose to keep my mouth shut. My natural bent was to think that Holy Spirit was telling me to keep my mouth shut because I was going to make it about me.  (This is something I have to constantly remind myself of It is not about me and it is not about them, but it is about Him.   I must be on guard about needing or wanting affirmation from man.

A few days later I got a phone call from the event organizer saying that she had made a mistake and that she had already booked another speaker and was asking me if it was okay if I spoke at a different one?

I said, absolutely that would be okay when I asked her who was speaking?  she said it was Mark and Mark is the one who invited me to the Luncheon.  

   

Now it all made sense because if I had said yes I will be there  and I'm speaking it would have been very awkward and a comfortable for both of us and put the event organizer in and awkward position.

The point I'm trying to drive home here is that I judged God and His motive for saying.

 " why do you need to tell him that?"

 I just assumed I knew why and there's the keyword “why” because the moment I decided why I made an assignment to what God was doing/saying. Instead of just trusting Him.

Instead of just saying okay no problem ………just say “YES” no questions asked.

I am sure If the Lord told me to not go in that room it is full of poisonous snakes ..... I don't think I would have asked why.