Bless This Home Conquering Offense

BLESS THIS HOME

CONQUERING OFFENSE

Miracle Place Church

May 19, 2013 – Sunday

May 23, 2013 – Thursday

Correlation between Culture and Communication

Genesis 2:7, 15, 18, 21-24

Definitions:

Correlation – two things so related that one directly complements the other (such as a husband and wife); a phenomenon that accompanies another phenomenon (as in behavior); usually parallel as in form, type, or development and is related in some way.

Culture – customs and institutions of a particular nation, group, or people; accepted patterns, beliefs, and customs of a group that influences the way in which they learn and behave; the process of transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.

Communication – the exchange of ideas, feelings, and information in a way that is satisfactorily received or understood; it is the process of transmitting from one person to another.

Basic Differences between Men and Women:

1. Women are primarily emotional (sensitive) driven.

2. Men primarily logic (insensitive) driven.

3. Women are feeling (introverted) oriented.

4. Men are behavioral (extroverted) oriented.

5. The primary need of women is love (affection/security).

6. The primary need of men is respect (held in high regard).

7. Women are usually detailed (thorough and particular).

8. Men are usually straight to the point (direct and concise).

9. Women are generally responders (loves to be chased).

10. Men are generally hunters (loves to chase).

A. Recognizing Offense – Matthew 18:1-35

1. Offense is the feeling of being insulted or wronged. You may feel you have been unfairly treated or your rights are violated.

2. You may feel resentment, hurt feelings, anger and personal outrage.

3. It brings a feeling of separation in your life.

4. Affects other people and relationships, especially your relationship with God.

5. You will have difficultly as you function and speak from a wounded heart.

6. Offense in the Bible means to trap, snare or become a stumbling block. Do not let offense trap you.

7. Offenses are anything that becomes an obstacle to you or to another.

Remember – If you offend a person, one day you may find that you need them.

8. The devil uses offense to divide and conquer. The devil will take every circumstance and try to make it a stumbling block.

9. Every relationship is vulnerable to attack:

a. Husband and wife,

b. Parent and child,

c. Friend to friend,

d. Acquaintance to acquaintance, and

e. Pastor and congregation.

B. Causes of Offense

1. The Tongue – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21 – “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after similitude of God. James 3:8-9 - “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11

a. The tongue can be used destructively or creatively.

b. Do not spew poison.

c. Do not use a slanderous tongue.

d. Do not speak thoughtless words.

2. An Unforgiving Spirit

a. Keeps a record of wrongs.

b. Has a tendency to hold a grudge. Becomes hysterical.

3. Overly Sensitive

a. Touchy, views every situation as grounds for offense.

b. It is good to be sensitive, but not so sensitive that we become overly suspicious, critical or temperamental.

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:17

4. Insensitivity to Others

a. Rude, crude, pushy, lacking tact and courtesy.

b. Can be manipulative, judgmental or controlling.

c. Must learn to avoid wrong actions, attitudes and words.

DO NOT develop the gift of faultfinding. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:36-38

5. Failure to Yield our Rights

a. We demand our rights at any cost. Our way or no way. There is no compromise.

b. If we go through life expecting everything to go our way, we are bound for offense.

c. Can develop a lying spirit to turn circumstances in the direction they feel they should go, but not necessarily God’s way.

d. The opposite of an unyielded spirit is a meek spirit. If two rams meet on a narrow path, one must humble himself and bow down so that the other may pass by. “Let no one seek his own, but each seek the other’s well being.” I Corinthians 10:24