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

by John Bevere

the agape love of God, which has been poured out in my heart, will radiate in this darkened world of offense (Rom. 5:5). I will not allow my love for God to grow cold in my life. I will live my life in these last days through the power and fire of God’s love aflame within my heart. God’s love in my life will not be conditioned upon the performance or response of others. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I will love those who mistreat or reject me. Holy Spirit, fill my spirit daily so that I never grow weary of doing good. I refuse to lose heart, because I want to reap the joys of Your Spirit’s blessing in my life (Gal. 6:8–9).

I will overcome the offense of others by developing greater faith in the love of God. I will sow the love of God so that I may reap the love of God. Through God’s power I tear down any walls I have constructed to safeguard and protect my heart from wounds. I pull down every stronghold that seeks to exalt itself against God’s Spirit at work, and I bring every ...

I will not allow my foolish expectations of others to disappoint me and cause me offense. I will not construct carnal walls to safeguard my heart from hurt. I will live with an open heart and will not become imprisoned by my own walls of conditional expectations. I refuse to fall into the trap of protecting my own rights to avoid being taken advantage of by another believer. I wi...

hate me, and pray for those who persecute me (Matt. 5:44). Through the help of the Holy Spirit, I will not become self-seeking and self-contained in a dead sea of cold love. Like the Sea of Galilee, I will freely receive and give out the water of love and acceptance, nurturing those who enter my heart. I will not filter my life through past hurts, rejections, or experiences. I will n...

I will not allow my love to become cold, but I will follow the steps of Christ by ever seeking to remain free of deceit, refusing to hurt others who may hurt me, and committing myself to God that I may be judged righteously and be found without sin (1 Pet. 2:21–23). I will guard my heart against the voices of the wolves of false prophets who speak only what I want to hear, not what I need to hear. I will never deny the power of godliness at work in ...