OFFENCE – A TRAP TO POVERTY

Apostle Paul in interpreting the mind of God in Phil 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” said, ‘…Work out your own (not our or their) salvation with fear and trembling’ this is because, salvation must be worked out and that, with carefulness. The same Apostle Paul said ‘lest after I have preached to others I become a cast away’ he said, ‘take heed ,lest him that thinketh he standeth should fall.’ These are statements pregnant with great nuggets for living having seen man and things that may befall man.

One of the evil traps of the enemy to hinder us is OFFENCE. Offence is a trap to poverty and frustration.
“Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matt. 18:7)
The above scripture says, ‘it must need be that offences come;’ offence will come either to you in your office, in church, at home, on the road etc. but it becomes funny that when some one is offended in the church, they leave the church and often, begin to speak against the church; but when they are offended in their offices or market place they do not leave or change office.

Offence has made many to walk out of His presence.
“And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.” (Gen. 4:16)
Many have gone out of His presence in anger. David said, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Ps 51:11)

Many destinies have been and are being destroyed because of offence. Offence brings anger and bitterness of spirit. It stops the power of God from flowing to His people and that was what happened when Jesus preached in his hometown – “And they were offended in him. (Matt 13:57a) you may ask, why were they offended. Some people are offended when others are succeeding,
somebody bought a car, built a house- something turned in you, and you became bitter, you wish the thing is spoilt; or an usher in church made you seat where you didn’t intend to seat, you take offence and throughout the preaching of the man of God you are planning how ‘God will punish the usher’ and as a result you miss the word for your deliverance or miracle. Bitterness and jealousy brings offence. These guys were offended, as a result not much could be done because of their heart, Matt13:54-58,

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief”.

If you want miracle, His blessing in His presence, keep away from offence – it hinders miracles. Why must you be offended at others progress?

In a reply to a simple questions from John the Baptist in Luke 7: 20-21 “When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.”

Jesus replied verse 22 and finally He said verse 23. That is to say, if you are not offended in His presence you are blessed but, if you are offended?
“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Luk 7:23)


Offence hinders blessing; avoid offence and the Lord will lighten your life. Jesus showed His results, you will have results to stop the mouth of your enemies in Jesus name.

As we prepare for HIS PRESENCE, may the Lord work in you and keep you from offence. Phil 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. “


Apostle Lawrence Achudume
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church Int'l
With branches spread across the globe
Can be reached on victory2life@yahoo.com
This message can be reproduced but must be duely credited.