Worship

“The Jesus Way” by Phil Wickham

Scripture

“For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.” – Mark 6:17-28

The Danger of Bitterness

At the beginning of the year, many prophetic people sensed that a tsunami of the spirit of offense was going to crash in on God’s people this year. Unless we are aware, this subtle, self-justifiable, pride-filled, judgmental, bitter, unforgiving spirit can take one by storm. It comes to destroy relationships, ministries, teams, and even perfect peace. For John the Baptist, it cost him his very life. Its target is death, and its process is entangling, binding, and suffocating. It can take down entire organizations with some willing, unsuspecting few.

I just returned from Northern Europe and saw this spirit in full swing. I discerned a principality over this region of the spirit of offense as we engaged many over the days. The more tired our team got, the more this spirit sought to inflict damage even on our team. This is a real thing and a great opportunity for God’s people to stand in the opposite spirit—the spirit of humility.

To “nurse a grudge (Mark 6:19)” in its original meaning is to be held, entangled, be held ensnared, to hold a grudge against someone, set oneself against. Herodias did not like that John spoke truth to Herod. She was offended she could not be the wife of two brothers. So, she let this offense brew and fester. Eventually, this offense took the man of God out of the game. He lost his very head because of the offense of another. The spirit of offense comes for life and essentially the totality of death. A saint died at the manipulation of this spirit of offense. Do you see how deadly this is if we do not keep our hearts clean of it?

My dear friend and partner in ministry, Jordan, has prayed for nearly two years to become unoffendable. She didn’t want her heart to be a prime place for this spirit to find access. It was her desire to think the best, believe the best about others, and stay humble before the Lord. It is a powerful prayer for us today. There is a myriad of issues that we can position ourselves against, but behind the issue is a person the enemy uses to push offense and draw sides over the issue. I see this among Christians as we hold tight to our theological positioning. I have had those even close to me in ministry try to rally others theologically into their camp, creating dissension and division. They become offended at a belief that traditionally they have held on to and then sought to divide based on their belief rather than a spirit of unity with the bond of peace.

We do not need to be right! We have to lay down that entitlement and prideful position in this hour because it is causing division in relationships!

The spirit of offense combined with control and pride are a deadly combination for any relationship, ministry, church, or organization. When these three operate in unison, it takes people out, just like it did for John. Can we lay down our need to be right and to control every outcome?

“A spirit of offense has but one purpose: to destroy you. Offense is straight from the enemy, and if you allow an open door, it will not be long until you see how it affects … . Guard your heart, guard your mind and keep your spirit devoted to the Father. When offense comes knocking, and it will, please walk out what the Bible declares. Don’t be the type of person who calls everyone without going to the one whom the offense first began with.” -Ryan Johnson, “Prophetic Vision: The Spirit of Offense Wants to Attack You in These 8 Ways”

Learning from John’s Story

In the case of John and Herodias, she ruled over John from her position of power (being Herod’s wife). She had the power to determine his outcome—whether he lived or died—after the offense came. She didn’t want to hear truth, so she determined to eliminate the one person speaking that to her. Just get rid of John, and she could do what she determined she would desire to do, unlawful as it was. I don’t know why the Lord didn’t stop the death of John. Why did that spirit get to win in this instance? Only the Lord knows the things our hearts ponder. But let it be a warning to us. When we nurse a grudge, the outcome to the relationship—unless handled with humility—will be death.

Scripture’s Teaching on Offense

Let the Word of God speak on this matter:

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)

“If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.” – Ecclesiastes 10:4 (ESV)

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” – Isaiah 44:22 (ESV)

“Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” – Ezekiel 18:28 (ESV)

A Call to Prayer

Will you pray with me for our very vulnerable hearts, that we don’t take the bait of Satan in this hour to destroy and divide and cause death to what God is doing to manifest His love and power through His people. No one can put an offense on you—you are the one who chooses to take it, nurse it, and let it do its perfect work of destruction. Will you pray like Jordan, “Make me unoffendable!”

“According to Psalm 8, all believers have been given dominion over all the works of God’s hands. Yet we are still sick, broken, and powerless when it comes to affecting real change in our own lives and in this earth. Why is that? It is my conviction that in many cases, the culprit is offense! Offense is the bitter root that troubles and defiles many. Still, we often fail to stop embracing this life—sucking behavior even though we know better. Offense demonstrates the immature state of the church, and is blocking our entrance into the advanced things of the Spirit, those deep things of God that lead to massive breakthrough.” -Patricia King, “Live Unoffendable”

Church, let’s get robed in our Christ-purchased humility so we can walk unoffendable and execute as kings and priests in the Earth in this hour!

Additional Resources

Here is more suggested reading on this topic:

• “The Bait of Satan” by John Bevere
• “Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian” by Dean Sherman
• “Live Unoffendable” by Patricia King

Subscribe to Arise weekly devotionals!

Needing prayer? Send us your prayer requests so we can intercede on your behalf.