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HANDLING OFFENCES

Text Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven,

Offences are bound to come as long as you relate and interact with people. 
Jesus said in Luke  17:1 to His disciples that, it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

 *Offences are like a grenade (Bomb) that you must neither throw nor receive.* Either way, it causes destruction. You must always receive grace not to be an intentional offender nor a 'nurser' of offence. 

From our text, Jesus taught what your response should always be towards offenders. 
You must always forgive everyone that offends you no matter the number of times they offend you in a day. 

Jesus' recommendation for forgiveness of offence in a day is seventy times seven.

Since offence is bound to occur, we shall be looking at how you can handle offences. 

First and foremost, you must always know that  the devil is behind all offences. Satan is the initiator of offences. He was the first offender in heaven. He offended God by desiring and attempting to usurp God's authority. (Isaiah 14: 13-16). 

The devil also sold same offence to Adam and Eve, and they in turn offended God. Consequently, God sent them out of the garden of Eden.

 *When someone offends you and you react to or embrace such offence, you are not different to the one who gave the offence.* 

Jesus gave us a practical example on how you need to always see Satan and not your fellow human being as the offender.
In Mathew 16:21, Jesus was describing how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  Peter took Jesus by the side and began to rebuke him.

Jesus knew that someone was about to offend and distract Him from fulfilling the Father's plan and purpose over his life. As for Jesus, He knew who the true offender was in this case-Satan!

Though, he turned to Peter, but he was rebuking Satan.
*He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:23.* 

A great deliverance has come upon anyone that is able to identify the real  offender (satan) who is always lurking behind the offences from man.

BIBLE READING: Mathew 18:1:10.

 PRAYER FOCUS

1. Father,  help me to always see the true enemy(satan)behind every offences shot against me.

2. Father,  please give me the grace not to give or react to offences.

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