Position is God-given

A carnal person judges worth by comparison, but as believers, we must begin to look at things from God’s perspective. First Samuel 16:7 tells us exactly how God views things. It says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Resolving Offense

In order to resolve an offense, according to Matthew 18:15-17, you must go to the person who has hurt or offended you and work it out. Notice what it says, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained

The Wrong Perception

Some people think they can simply receive deliverance from offense through prayer. But they fail to realize that after receiving prayer, they have both a choice and a responsibility to act on the Word of God. According to Mark 4:15, once you have received prayer, the devil will come immediately to steal the Word of

Living in Constant Conflict

Some people live in constant conflict. They move from emotional crisis to emotional crisis and from conflict with one person to another throughout their lives. They are in constant conflict with themselves and continually try to pull others into the conflict. They say they desire peace, but because of the years of continual strife and

Yielding to Offense

“The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

Complaining Will Get You Nowhere

A passage in the book of Matthew provides us with an excellent example of people who assumed they will receive something other than what they were told. It says, The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed

Controlling How You React

Although you cannot control how people act, you can control how you react. When offensive situations arise, they can become your opportunity to shine! You can literally make the decision that regardless of the way others act, you will not allow them to offend you. Furthermore, you can be surrounded by an atmosphere of strife

The Desire for Greater Recognition

Many churches find themselves in a constant struggle with people seeking a position, or other forms of recognition, out of a wrong motive. Some church members actually feel that because they have been at the church from the beginning, they deserve more than a newcomer. What privileges do they feel they deserve? Some want a

Offenses Will Come

Jesus made a statement regarding the poor in Matthew 26 that we can parallel with an attitude of offense. When the disciples questioned the woman for pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, they said, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor” (v. 8-9). Do

Comparison Involves Pride

Paul warned us not to compare ourselves with one another because comparison involves pride. Then, in speaking to his spiritual son, Timothy, Paul says, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty [high-minded], nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us all things richly