The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense

by John Bevere

I refuse to run from the difficulties in the church in which You have placed me, but I will work with my spiritual brothers and sisters to face the troubles and to work through them. I refuse to be offended and flee. Father, I will not flee from my church in offense. The only way I will ever leave is to “go out with joy, and be led out with peace” (Isa. 55:12). Father, according to Your Word, You have set me in the body just as You please. I am in the place where You want me, and I will not allow the devil to uproot me through the trap of offence. I will not be moved by the adversities I may face. Like the trees of the forest who endure the harshness of the elements surrounding them unmoved, I will not be moved by adversity, but I will allow my adversities to cause my roots to go deeper in God and my life to produce the fruit of godliness. Father, allow me to become a mature tree in whom You delight rather than one that is uprooted for its lack of fruit (Luke 13:6–9). My delight is in the law of my Lord. I will meditate upon Your Word day and night (Ps. 1:1–2). My life is filled with Your great peace because I delight in Your Word, and nothing will offend me (Ps. 119:165).