God is the Deliverer – Offense, Part 8

I think that offense is Satan’s most subtle snare. When offenses come, especially when we know we are right. So did you know the Lord will offend you on purpose sometimes? I am not unconvinced that the Lord didn’t purposely have that policeman look over at me just at the right moment to misinterpret what had occurred. There were some things in me having to do with pride, authority, even justice, that God wanted to put His finger on. He’ll do that, you know.

In Matthew 15, Jesus offended the Pharisees. You might say He was rather blunt. He called them hypocrites. The disciples came to Jesus and said, “Do you know you offended those people?” The Lord’s response never ceases to amaze me. He said, “Leave them alone. They are the blind leading the blind. They have hardened their hearts. Just leave them alone.”

He doesn’t mind offending any of us some of the time. He doesn’t mind offending me at times. Does it offend you when Jesus speaks to you plainly? If He confronts you and speaks to you about something that you don’t want to feel convicted about, are you okay with that? Maybe, He does that through another person. I can usually receive things directly from the Lord, but I hate it when He does that through others. It’s one thing when I’m going about my day and He begins to shower down on me His conviction. He tells me I am so wonderful, then says, “But, change this.” Be honest. You hate it too when He uses someone else to bring the message to you.

“Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14; BSB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

• Do you ever misinterpret what you see? Are you sure you know the full situation behind the words or actions you observed? Repent.
• Have you been on the receiving end of someone jumping to conclusions about you? Forgive.
• Welcome the correction of the Lord into your life. Pray that you will not be blind to your sin, so He will not have to use others to clean you up.
• Intercede for our nation’s media members. They are often found jumping to conclusions lately, especially about what President Trump says or does. Call by name the ones you know are doing this.
• Stand in the gap for government leaders who publicly brawl with one another. Do not pick up their offense or choose sides! Keep your heart pure, so you maintain your ability to judge rightly and intercede purely.

A prayer you can pray:

Father, I don’t know what it is about human nature that causes us to jump to conclusions. Sometimes it really does seem like we are seeing something unholy, unrighteous or unjust, but things are not as they appear. If it’s not our concern, we need to learn to keep our mouths shut. If it does concern us, we need to remain non-judgemental until we can sit down and hear the other side of the matter. We need greater discernment, as well. I strongly dislike others jumping to conclusions about me and I repent where I have done that to others. Forgive me, Lord. I forgive those who have misjudged my words or actions. I give You full reign to correct me. Let me hear Your gentle rebuke before You have to expose me to others for Your righteousness’ sake. Please check our media in this. They are running rampant and seemingly purposefully causing offense every day, especially against President Trump. Cause our government leaders to stop before they open their mouths in judgement of other government leaders. Let them think of how they would feel about untruthful things said about them. Let them feel the sting of others misinterpreting their actions, then shouting it out on social media! Prompt me to intercede more intensely for Your grace and peace and intervention. Thank you, Jesus, for working with us to defuse all this offense we are living in day to day in America. Amen.

Today’s decree:

May our hearts remain pure, so our intercession is righteous and just!