GET RID OF ALL OFFENSE

08/10/2024

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).

There is a divine call to bring healing in the name of Jesus Christ. This can be done through the laying on of hands and declarations of faith. James 5:14-15 encourages, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."

To fully embrace this divine operation in your life, it’s crucial to nurture a close partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Everything God has called you to do is possible through this partnership. The Holy Spirit is the one who administers God's presence, grace, and every heavenly gift to and through you. John 6:13 says, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." Actively participating in the ministry of the Holy Spirit requires an awareness and reverence for His presence at all times. Without this, His influence in your life may be inconsistent, making it difficult to reach others effectively.

Jesus encouraged us to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). To do this, we must be continuously aware of our partnership with the Holy Spirit, every moment of the day.

Not every Christian will experience signs and wonders because certain factors can hinder our partnership with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:21 (AMP) expresses this idea, "I do not ignore or nullify the [gracious gift of the] grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favor], for if righteousness comes through [observing] the Law, then Christ died needlessly. [His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever.]"

Today’s devotional focuses on one such hindrance: offense. In Mark 11:24-25, we are encouraged to respond to offense with forgiveness. The Bible says, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

Unforgiveness can block our prayers. Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me." If you have been praying about something but hold onto a grudge, God is not ignoring you—He simply cannot hear you.

The Holy Spirit will remind you of any offenses you need to forgive. When this happens, forgive immediately.

Offense can also occur when we hurt others. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 5:21-22: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." Jesus emphasizes that harboring anger or resentment towards others is serious. Many people find themselves in a situation where they are holding onto offense against someone close—a spouse, friend, sibling, or coworker.

Jesus instructs us to address these issues promptly. In Matthew 5:23-24, He says, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there 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."

We are called to pursue peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14 reminds us, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." The Holy Spirit’s work in your life may be hindered by unresolved offenses.

As the Holy Spirit brings to mind those with whom you need to make amends, take action now.

Great grace is available to you! Have a blessed day.

Faith-Filled Confession

I am guided by God's wisdom to carry out His will in all my relationships. I declare that all my relationships are healed and free from offense, in Jesus' name. Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 88-89; Romans 10