“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).

A lot of people are not happy today. A lot are not at peace with themselves, others and life generally, not because things are that bad with them or around them, but because of offences. You have never seen a peaceful and joyful man until you see a man living free from offences. Your peace and joy provide an atmosphere for God to work in and through your life (Psalms 16:11, Romans 14:17, Isaiah 12:3).

Once you get peace in, you get God in. But when offences, strife and the likes are allowed in, there is confusion and all manner of evil works (James 3:16). You have to stop the devil! You have got to stop evil in and around your life. You must not give place to the devil any longer (Ephesians 4:27). Most people give a place to the devil in their lives and affairs, not because they committed fornication or adultery, but because of offences. This has got to stop!

Once you realise and understand that the target of offences is not the offender but the offended, you would start dealing with it with scriptural wisdom. Friend, you are the target, not the person who offends you. Most times, the offender is working free, with no issue, while the offended is the one carrying wounds all around. Sometimes, the offender does not even know he’s offended anyone. This is why you must not allow offences to fester in your heart and life.

Like someone rightly said, living with offences is like drinking a poison and expecting the other person (the offender) to die. Offences will kill you. It would short circuit the flow of God’s power and grace in your life. It is not about the offence or the offended, it is about your peace and progress in life and destiny. It is about living healthy and free. It is about providing an atmosphere or environment in your life where God would be able to work unhindered. It is about shutting the enemy out of your life and affairs. It is about glorifying God in your everyday life.

You must be quick to forgive and forget (if possible). In fact, you must learn to forgive in advance. You must have a bank of forgiveness that cannot be depleted or bankrupted by any weight of offence. You must not live with the expectation that people will always be nice to you, that people will always do what would please you. I think we live life with wrong or too high expectation. We always expect the best of people. This is not how to live.

May you receive Grace to live free and full today!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria