What represents an offence unto you?

"By Bisi Oladipupo"

An offence means a violation or breach of law.  For the perspective of this article anything that is trying to stop, or hinder you from doing the right thing. In this case, anything that represents a hindrance to obeying the Lord or fulfilling His call upon your life is an
 offence.
 
Unfortunately, sometimes these may be friends and even family members. Sometimes an offence can be too much TV, wasting time
walking around shopping centres, anything that is taking your attention away to do the things that really matter.

We can all look around and see pulls and hindrances. So what do we do?
 
Our Lord Jesus Christ had a close disciple who for a moment represented an offence unto Him. 
 
Matthew 16; 21 - 23

 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his  disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders  and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him,  saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto  thee.

 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,  Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of  God, but  those that be of men.


Thank God, after this rebuke, Peter dropped his  idea and lined up with the counsel of  God.
 
So how do we handle  offences?
 
Matthew 5: 29 -  30

 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.


From the above verses, one principle can be derived. We need to cut off whatever represents an offence in our lives. That's
a principle! Look at verse 29: An eye is precious, but nothing should be too precious to us to take the place of the Lord in our lives! I am sure we understand that a physical eye is figurative!

 If its too much TV watching, stop or reduce how  much TV you are watching. Whether you cut it off entirely for a while, or reduce
it all depends on what you are lead to do.


If old friends are pulling on you, you might have to give them space for a while. There might be a time, when you are matured
enough to handle and and influence them, but while you are in the formative years, you might be better off giving them some arms length for now.

 If you are in a wrong relationship, you might  need to cut it off to help you live a successful Christian walk. Sometimes these
relationships are put back together in the future when the necessary adjustments and changes have been made, while sometimes those relationships are gone for ever. It might also mean moving house, whatever it takes!

 To live fully for the Lord is worth everything and everything!. Don't let any type of offence hinder you. Cut it off and let it  go!. Nothing is worth hindering you having a close walk with the Lord or  fulfilling your destiny in Him. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. What is
worth you not giving the Lord your all? Nothing, absolutely  nothing!


Bisi  Oladipupo