We have so many offenses that Jesus has had to cover in our lifetime and before we were even born. However, in our human proclivity to sin, we struggle covering the offenses of others. In my purging process (yesssss more stuff is in here), Holy Spirit showed me how I played the role of victim all too well. God said to me, “Do you trust me beloved?” I’m like, “Trust You? Yes I trust You. What does trust have to do with me being a victim of offenses? The enemy is always messing with me – using people!” Jesus! 

Holy Spirit revealed to me that if I trust God and that He is in control of my life, how can I be a victim? If it’s happening to me, God’s hand is on me so He is allowing it for my good. My God! Foster love in your offenses. If someone offends you, show him love. Foster love. Create an atmosphere of love. Is it discernment or suspicion? Love believes the best.

Have you ever made the mistake of repeating the offense? I don’t mean doing it back to them -that too- but I mean “saying it” to someone else. Do you have a circle of friends or coworkers or even your spouse to whom you repeat the offenses done to you and to/with whom you talk about your offenders? I had to holler when I read this scripture. Jesus! 

Proverbs‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

‭‭We have to stop repeating the offenses, giving power to it, and causing dissension, conflict, and separation between and among people. 

“The ripping up of faults is the ripping out of love, and nothing tends more to the separating of friends, and setting them at variance, than the repeating of matters that have been in variance.” -Blue Letter Bible

Pray about offenses and offenders. Pray and ask God to show you your heart. Why am I offended? Why am I playing the victim when I’m clearly the victor through Christ Jesus? Why am I running and telling my best friends and/or spouse about people when it causes dissension? 

Holy Spirit help us. Help us not to be offended and not to repeat the offenses done to us. Continue to purge us and reveal our hearts to us in Jesus’s name. Dr.J.