There is one type of offense that occurs when people become offended with themselves because they keep falling short in a certain area of their lives. Have you ever become offended with yourself?
Maybe you got mad at yourself and thought, “I’m so tired of always blowing it in this same area!” In fact, you may have confessed First John 1:9 so much, you thought you wore that verse right out of the Bible. But you didn’t!
Peter’s experience after Jesus was crucified is a good example of this type of offense. Peter became offended with himself because he denied Jesus.
He was the one who boasted, “Lord, I’ll never deny You! I’ll love You to the end.” Then Peter denied the Lord three times (John 13:37-38; 18:17, 25-27).
Peter was so mad at himself for blowing it. He was so discouraged, he decided to go back to his old trade of fishing. Some of the other disciples said, “We’re going too” (John 21:3).
The men were unsuccessful until the resurrected Jesus appeared the next morning on the beach and called to them, “Listen, men, cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” When they obeyed Jesus’ instruction, their nets overflowed with fish (vv. 4-6).
Peter had been so offended at himself and so confused by the events of the crucifixion that he decided his life was better before he became a disciple. Many Christians feel that way at one time or another.
When things get difficult in their Christian walk, they look back with longing to the past, thinking what they did before they met the Lord was better than what they are doing now.
Of course, that line of thinking is nothing but a trick of the enemy designed to distract them from what God has called them to do.
Anyway, that’s how Peter was feeling as he cast out to sea in his old fishing boat. So later, as Jesus and the disciples sat eating fish around the fire, Jesus ministered to Peter and delivered him of offense. The happy ending to Peter’s misery is found in John 21:15-19.
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus delivered Peter from the offense he had committed when he denied Jesus three times. In fact, Jesus told him, “Peter, you are going to love Me so much, you’re even going to be a martyr.”
Never again do we see Peter operate out of offense in his ministry. Furthermore, he did not miss the ministry God had called him to fulfill. You don’t need to miss what God has for you either.
Just let the Lord minister His forgiveness and love to you. He wants to set you free from the guilt and condemnation that come when you are offended with yourself.
by Kate McVeigh
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Kate McVeigh has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad for over 35 years! Kate teaches people how to rise above challenging circumstances and win in life through a personal relationship with a loving God!
Kate’s testimony is truly inspiring. She struggled in school as a teen being painfully shy and vowed never to speak in front of people. However, after receiving the Lord at age 16, she was healed of a learning disability and immediately began speaking in front of crowds big and small, boldly sharing that God can take your hurt and turn it into healing. Your mess can become a message of Victory, and your test can be turned into a powerful testimony helping others to receive God’s goodness and love!
After high school, Kate graduated from Rhema Bible College and began her full-time traveling ministry more than 35 years ago. Speaking hundreds of times each year in churches, conferences, TV appearances, and through her daily radio broadcast, The Voice of Faith. Kate has authored many books, and some of her best-selling books such as The Blessing of Favor, Get Over It, and others have been translated into more than ten different languages.
As your Faith Coach, Kate will help teach you how to win in life by applying and standing on the powerful promises found in God’s Word.