“I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

There is a false doctrine out there of passive tolerance disguised as “love”. Satan will deceive people into spiritual error, placing them in positions of false authority, fleshly authority, and will attempt to quote scripture to justify such a viewpoint.

In a previous message we showed how Satan will attempt to get people to judge one another through accusation. Where the same technique is used here, pointing out your faults, Satan will use his weapon of condemnation relentlessly in an attempt to subdue your will into his servitude to a false gospel.

He will use your friends, family, and specifically leaders in your church to offend you and then blame you for feeling offended. Accusing you of being offended, (because that’s not Christ-like) baiting a natural response of denial, due to lack of knowledge, as to keep you in bondage to his attacks, making it your fault that your upset.

This redirects the real issue of why your upset due to biblical error or a personal offense, back on you for feeling any emotional grief from their actions. In church, this is called spiritual abuse and produces church hurt; it is 100% demonic. Once one is offended and then hurt due to perpetual offenses, (attacks from the enemy) and or the lack of repentance by the perpetrator, the devil attempts to make it seem it’s the victims fault for being subjected to his attacks through unrepentant people. Saying things such as: “Are you offended?” or “Your taking this personal” judging and condemning them for even feeling these emotions.

Know your enemy, Satan is the will conformed unto pride and this is where he operates.

So nothing could be further from the truth. We are not to be conformed to this world by loving our life unto death, but we are never told to be numb. Nor are we to be ignorant of Satan’s devices. So lets consider these instances provided to us of our Lord Jesus who’s way we are to follow after.

When entering the temple and finding unrighteousness Jesus tipped over the money changers tables pouring their money on the ground, flipped over the seats of them that sold doves, allowing no vessel to be carried through, made a whip and then chased them all out of the temple, along with the sheep, and the oxen… Was his outburst out of anger being offended? Because if you believe the lie the devil tries to tell you through those that don’t want their illegitimate authority questioned, then you have to believe he did all of this calmly, methodically, showing not hurt, pain, or sign of offense whatsoever.

Was he angry at the unrighteousness ways God was being represented and taught by the Pharisees or did he rebuke them softly maintaining a quite demeanor? He rebuked them sternly and loudly as indicated in the scriptures by an exclamation mark!

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” – Matthew 23:13-15 KJV

How about when Jesus rebuked Peter? He called Satan out in Peter and said you are an offense to me!

“But 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 KJV

“Thou art an offence to me…”

The real question is did you sin after being provoked into anger? But to consistently accuse one of being offended due to unrighteousness lays the snare to sin out of anger if the victim finally breaks and blows up.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26-27 KJV

Remember men love the night for their deeds are evil. So, It’s okay to get angry for the right reasons, if our Lord got mad and we are to follow him then if you feel your at the point of breaking, talk about this with someone, your pastor or someone whom you believe can give you Holy Spirit lead council, this is not gossip.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ” – Galations 6:2 NKJV

1 Peter 2 says Jesus committed no sin meaning his rebukes and outburst in the temple where not sin. He did not strike anyone, curse anyone, or misrepresent God in anyway. His actions were righteous before the Lord. The devil doesn’t want you to know that though. Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ will destroy the works of the devil and it will offend for Jesus came to bring a sword, to divide, to set one against the other.

However, corrupted leaders, cult leaders alike will attempt to point out that you shouldn’t feel anything except for love or else it isn’t Jesus. These are wolves in sheep’s clothing that have and appearance of Godliness, but deny the power within from such turn away.

“Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him THROUGH whom they do come!” – Luke 17:1 NKJV

This is a warning to them that cause offenses…

For church leaders who offend and misrepresent Christ receiving the grace of God in vain, “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” 2 Corinthians 6:3 KJV

The devil destroys ministries and ministers this way all the time.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” – Matthew 10:22 KJV

Brothers and sisters endure; take solace in knowing your ruffling the right feathers and that the Lord is allowing this to bring you into a deeper understanding of Him. Rejoice for the joy of the Lord is your strength and that’s what the devil want to steal from you, the joy of coming out of the world by getting you to focus upon the waves, the persecution of those still in the world.

If this has ever happened to you then you’ve tested the spirits and now know them by their fruits. Think not that you should receive justification by God, because vengeance is mine saith the Lord, but after you’ve forgiven them, ask him to forgive them as well for they know not what they do. That is agape love.

So the next time you visit friends and family, remember to avoid foolish questions, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law as well as with the In-laws. Use wisdom, getting upset and telling Satan to “get thee behind me” in folks you don’t see too often, isn’t Christ-like.

Be holy as He is holy and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, God Bless.