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When you've been insulted or deeply hurt by someone, human nature is to retaliate. Human nature says, "You hurt my feelings; therefore, I resent you. You're going to pay for this. I'm not going to speak to you. I'm going to build up that wall of protection around me and you're never going to get that close to me again."

And the walls go up.

Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you..." (Matt. 5:44).

Do you know how hard it is to pray for those who have spoken ugly about you? When people have offended you, hurt you, and wounded you and you're supposed to sincerely pray for them—that's a step of faith!

We have to do what David did in Psalm 35:
Malicious and unrighteous witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not. They reward me evil for good to my personal bereavement.
(Ps. 35:11-12 AMP)
These men were trying to destroy David, but notice what he did in return:
But as for me, when they were sick my clothing was sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting, and I prayed with head bowed on my breast.
(Ps. 35:13 AMP)
Praying for someone who has hurt you seems like a joke. Why would you want to do that? Usually, we don't even want to think about that person, much less pray for them. But this is what David said:
I behaved as if grieving for my friend or my brother; I bowed down in sorrow, as one who bewails his mother.
(Ps. 35:14 AMP)
If your mother, father, husband, brother, or sister is sick or in need, what do you do? You try to be the first one there to help them, pray for them, and get them out of the situation that they are in, right? You will even give your very life to help them.

I only have one sister, and anytime she's ever had a need and called me for help, I want you to know I get there as quick as I can to offer help and support.

'As You Have Done Unto Others...'
Well, according to the Word of God, this is what we should do for our enemies as well. We should go to the aid of those who speak evil against us.

Sound crazy? You'd be surprised how much peace and calmness fills your heart and mind when you do this. Just releasing offenses from your heart will completely revive your spirit.

I want you to notice the progression of the spirit of offense. A person begins to have a chip on their shoulder. They begin to build walls of defense up around themselves because they've been hurt.

Eventually, the walls become thicker and thicker. "I'm not going to be hurt like that again," they say. The walls that they are building are to protect them from being vulnerable again.

There are many church members who are offended because the pastor has never asked them to preach or to sing or play their instrument in the church. They walk around harboring an offense in their heart. "Well, I've been coming to this church for years, and they've never asked me to sing. Not one time! And they know the gift and talent that I have."

So, they get offended.

We have to constantly guard our thoughts against anything like that. It always starts as a thought that enters your mind, and you have the ability to refuse that thought or dwell on it until it becomes an offense.

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Prov. 18:19).

I know there have been instances in my own life where people have offended me or I have offended them. I didn't know that I had offended them, but I found that there was a distance in our relationship.

Eventually, I began to wonder, "What have I done to them?" Not knowing what I had done to offend them, I just prayed in the spirit. When that happens you can confront that person and simply ask, "Have I done something to hurt or offend you? If so, I want to ask for your forgiveness."

When you realize the seriousness of having a spirit of offense in your heart, you'll want to quickly get it out. We are required by the Word of God to forebear, to cover that offense and forgive.

Today Is The Day Of Deliverance
The anointing can be coupled together with revelation knowledge to destroy those walls of offense and bring down those barriers. Even if the person you offended is not quick to forgive you, keep praying in the spirit. Don't give up.

I want you to know those walls can come down and relationships can be restored (Phil. 1:9-11).

God is here to deliver us and to set us free. You may have been deeply wounded and hurt, and I would never make light of your situation. There may have been things happen in your life that have caused deep scars on the inside of you. You may have had a father abandon you, or been physically or mentally abused by someone, and you've never been able to forgive that person.

Well, today is the day for your deliverance! You can't do anything to make them apologize or "pay" for what they did to you. But you can forgive them and move on in your life. Don't let their mistake stop you from being successful. It's time to forgive them.

Jesus said, "I am come to set the captives free." I want you to pray a prayer, and if there is something in your heart that you've been holding on to, possibly for many years, then as an act of your will, let it go today!

Determine that today is your day of deliverance. You are going to feel as though a heavy, tremendous burden has been lifted from you. Are you ready? Pray this prayer and get on your way to freedom.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I have seen in Your Word, that I have to let offenses go. Your Word says that I must forgive those who have hurt me because You forgave me. I repent of this and I ask for Your forgiveness. I cannot forgive them in my own strength. I have to have You. Therefore, as an act of my will, I choose to forgive.

As the Heavenly Father has freely forgiven me of my sin, I freely forgive (say his/her name) for the injustice I feel they've done unto me. I forgive them. I release them. I let it go. The debt has been paid in Jesus' Name. According to Your Word, I believe that the original unpayable debt against me has been paid. I'm free! I'm free! I declare that I am free in Jesus' Name! Amen.
You are free. There's nothing holding you back. Now, be the success that God has planned for you to be.

Source: Conquering The Spirit of Offense by Carolyn Savelle
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Ministries International

Author Biography

Carolyn Savelle
Web site: Jerry Savelle Ministries International
 
Carolyn Savelle has an incredible testimony of growing up her entire life under the power and anointing of Jesus. She was reared in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she heard preachers such as Oral Roberts and William Branham. Throughout her life she has witnessed God's miraculous power.
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