0:00:00.000,0:00:05.920 How to Overcome Offence 0:00:07.240,0:00:11.440 Grace and peace to you all [br]in Jesus’ mighty name. 0:00:11.440,0:00:19.200 Welcome, everyone, to another edition of ‘Faith Is Natural’ here on God's Heart TV. 0:00:19.200,0:00:27.360 Now, today, I want to share with you all a message with an important lesson 0:00:27.360,0:00:35.720 about how to overcome offence [br]in our relationships. 0:00:35.720,0:00:41.520 Because I have seen on so many occasions 0:00:41.520,0:00:49.480 just how easily relationships can be damaged because of words. 0:00:49.480,0:00:58.680 Many relationships today end prematurely because of words. 0:00:58.680,0:01:03.880 You see marriages fall into divorce. 0:01:03.880,0:01:06.720 You see families become fractured. 0:01:06.720,0:01:18.480 You see friendships hit the point of separation because of words. 0:01:18.480,0:01:26.280 In the same vein, I have seen how many times little issues that could have been 0:01:26.280,0:01:36.720 resolved quickly become worsened and lengthened because of words. 0:01:36.720,0:01:48.080 Insensitive words, careless words, bitter words, provoking words, poisonous words. 0:01:48.080,0:01:54.000 But people of God, I put it to you today 0:01:54.000,0:02:05.640 that it is not the poison of words [br]but the pollution of hearts 0:02:05.640,0:02:12.840 that really builds offence [br]and breaks relationships, 0:02:12.840,0:02:17.760 sometimes even beyond repair. 0:02:17.760,0:02:20.960 The pollution of hearts. 0:02:20.960,0:02:30.160 You see, words can be spoken in a moment of indiscretion, insensitivity, 0:02:30.160,0:02:33.800 provocation, pain or anger. 0:02:33.800,0:02:45.160 But those words can be harboured in the heart for days, weeks, months, even years - 0:02:45.160,0:02:52.480 long after the emotions of that moment have faded, 0:02:52.480,0:03:03.200 long after the circumstances that surrounded that exchange have changed. 0:03:03.200,0:03:06.440 Now, let me be very clear with you, [br]people of God. 0:03:06.440,0:03:12.880 I’m not in any way excusing or condoning the use of poisonous words. 0:03:12.880,0:03:14.280 No! Not at all. 0:03:14.280,0:03:20.880 In fact, our Lord Jesus Christ said [br]in Matthew 12:36-37, 0:03:20.880,0:03:28.320 ‘We will give an account for every [br]idle word that is spoken.’ 0:03:28.320,0:03:36.000 As Christians, we must offer that prayer that David offered in Psalm 141:3, 0:03:36.000,0:03:42.200 ‘Oh Lord, set a watch over my lips; [br]set a guard over the door of my mouth’, 0:03:42.200,0:03:44.400 so that we avoid tongue trouble. 0:03:44.400,0:03:51.760 So I'm not in any way excusing the use of poisonous words. No! 0:03:51.760,0:03:57.600 But in today's message, [br]I want to focus on our reaction 0:03:57.600,0:04:03.120 when we are on the receiving end. 0:04:03.120,0:04:11.280 You see, the issue is not the [br]hearing of such words. 0:04:11.280,0:04:19.680 The issue is the harbouring of such words in our hearts. 0:04:19.680,0:04:27.960 It is the harbouring of poison that truly brings the contamination. 0:04:27.960,0:04:29.800 Now, I want to be practical. 0:04:29.800,0:04:33.000 Let's give a practical example of this. 0:04:33.000,0:04:38.080 Just imagine you eat, drink or take something into your system 0:04:38.080,0:04:44.080 and it's something strange and your body recognises it as something toxic, 0:04:44.080,0:04:47.600 something poisonous. [br]What is your first reaction? 0:04:47.600,0:04:49.200 You spit it out. 0:04:49.200,0:04:52.760 You get rid of it as quickly as possible. 0:04:52.760,0:04:56.640 God has designed our body[br]in a way that we reject 0:04:56.640,0:05:03.560 and eject that thing which [br]we recognise as dangerous. 0:05:03.560,0:05:07.160 In the same way, people of God, 0:05:07.160,0:05:18.320 harbouring poisonous words[br]in your heart is dangerous. 0:05:18.320,0:05:31.040 Because what you hold onto[br]can easily take hold of you. 0:05:31.040,0:05:33.160 Think about that. 0:05:33.160,0:05:36.200 Let me say it again. 0:05:36.200,0:05:46.240 What your heart holds onto[br]may soon take hold of you. 0:05:46.240,0:05:50.720 So, the question is this. 0:05:50.720,0:06:02.800 Why then is it so common today for us to harbour something that is so hazardous? 0:06:02.800,0:06:05.400 It's a question. 0:06:05.400,0:06:10.240 And this ushers me to the main point[br]I want to emphasise 0:06:10.240,0:06:13.360 in today’s message, people of God. 0:06:13.360,0:06:23.080 I believe one of the major contributing factors to this offence in our hearts 0:06:23.080,0:06:31.080 is because we register the words of man [br]in our hearts 0:06:31.080,0:06:36.520 as if they were the Words of God. 0:06:36.520,0:06:38.280 What do I mean? 0:06:38.280,0:06:50.520 We assign the same degree of value, importance, significance to human words, 0:06:50.520,0:06:54.360 as if they were the Word of God. 0:06:54.360,0:07:06.440 Now, Jesus Christ says in Luke 6:45[br]that our heart is the treasury. 0:07:06.440,0:07:19.440 Many today have sadly reduced or cheapened this treasury 0:07:19.440,0:07:22.320 to the position of a dustbin 0:07:22.320,0:07:28.480 where we permit all kinds of rubbish, [br]all kinds of garbage 0:07:28.480,0:07:36.520 to fester wounds and to foster lies [br]in our hearts. 0:07:36.520,0:07:45.200 Many of us today are so quick, too quick to cheaply give our hearts away 0:07:45.200,0:07:51.720 to words that spring from [br]an untrustworthy source. 0:07:51.720,0:07:54.760 A common example, people of God. 0:07:54.760,0:07:56.880 Maybe you've had an argument with someone. 0:07:56.880,0:08:01.280 And in the course of that argument, negative words have been used. 0:08:01.280,0:08:08.840 And that night when you go to bed, [br]you begin to turn those negative words 0:08:08.840,0:08:13.400 over and over again in your heart. 0:08:13.400,0:08:21.000 You begin to rewind in your mind the moments when such words were spoken. 0:08:21.000,0:08:29.000 In fact, many of us even continue imaginary dialogue with our offender. 0:08:29.000,0:08:32.160 What is happening? 0:08:32.160,0:08:39.880 We relegate the value of the heart 0:08:39.880,0:08:46.640 because we elevate the words of man. 0:08:46.640,0:08:51.400 What happens because of this, [br]people of God? 0:08:51.400,0:09:05.240 Offence easily takes root and [br]words become wounds. 0:09:05.240,0:09:11.520 And if care is not taken, damaged hearts lead to damaged homes, 0:09:11.520,0:09:16.440 damaged relationships, [br]damaged opportunities. 0:09:16.440,0:09:28.280 Because we have treated the words of man as if they were the Words of God. 0:09:28.280,0:09:33.520 People of God, to overcome offence, 0:09:33.520,0:09:42.400 you must recognise that your heart [br]is too precious 0:09:42.400,0:09:49.160 to harbour words that do not [br]define your destiny. 0:09:49.160,0:09:58.360 You must recognise that your heart is simply too precious 0:09:58.360,0:10:05.520 to harbour words that do not [br]define your destiny. 0:10:05.520,0:10:12.680 People of God, let me tell you this vital, important and life-changing truth! 0:10:12.680,0:10:19.840 The only words worthy of your hearts are the Words of the Living God! 0:10:19.840,0:10:25.920 The only words that are trustworthy enough, dependable enough, 0:10:25.920,0:10:31.000 reliable enough, consistent enough, [br]pure enough 0:10:31.000,0:10:36.440 to turn over and over again in our hearts 0:10:36.440,0:10:40.680 is the Living Word of God, [br]the Word of the Holy Spirit. 0:10:40.680,0:10:52.680 Therefore, people of God, we must stop the registration of illegitimate declarations! 0:10:52.680,0:10:54.000 What do I mean? 0:10:54.000,0:11:00.720 Even in this natural world, we recognise that registration is for something official. 0:11:00.720,0:11:04.440 It is for something that has been [br]proven genuine. 0:11:04.440,0:11:08.800 So, we must register when it's time to vote. 0:11:08.800,0:11:11.160 We must register to attend university. 0:11:11.160,0:11:15.000 We must register when we get married. 0:11:15.000,0:11:21.520 The government bodies may receive many applications but they filter them 0:11:21.520,0:11:28.520 and register once they are confirmed, [br]once they are proven. 0:11:28.520,0:11:32.160 I hope you see where I'm going, [br]people of God. 0:11:32.160,0:11:40.640 Our mind can process many things without our heart absorbing them, 0:11:40.640,0:11:43.640 without our heart registering them. 0:11:43.640,0:11:48.720 Registration is for things that are proven true. 0:11:48.720,0:11:51.000 Registration is not for falsehood. 0:11:51.000,0:11:56.520 Registration is not for fantasy. No! 0:11:56.520,0:12:04.040 Stop registering in your heart 0:12:04.040,0:12:10.920 unofficial declarations over your life. 0:12:10.920,0:12:18.240 Don't give your heart to such words, people of God. 0:12:18.240,0:12:23.560 The only declarations that are [br]worthy of your attention 0:12:23.560,0:12:30.360 are those sanctioned by Scripture, in tune with Scripture, in line with Scripture - 0:12:30.360,0:12:36.640 things that are pure, just, noble, excellent, upright, admirable, praiseworthy - 0:12:36.640,0:12:39.800 as Philippians 4:8 says. 0:12:39.800,0:12:42.760 That's the only thing worthy. 0:12:42.760,0:12:48.440 Worthless words are not worthy [br]of your heart. 0:12:48.440,0:12:53.040 They do not define your worth. No! 0:12:53.040,0:12:56.240 The only One who is worthy... 0:12:56.240,0:12:59.200 Worthy is the Lamb who sits on the throne! 0:12:59.200,0:13:09.000 The only One who is worthy is the only One who has the power to define your worth, 0:13:09.000,0:13:11.600 people of God. 0:13:11.600,0:13:23.520 In a world where there are so many conflicting views and voices, 0:13:23.520,0:13:35.040 the only opinion that really matters, [br]that really counts is God’s opinion. 0:13:35.040,0:13:43.600 So, if someone has spoken[br]negative words over your life, 0:13:43.600,0:13:47.320 people of God, don't take them to heart. 0:13:47.320,0:13:55.040 Don't give place to the devil, [br]as Ephesians 4:27 says. 0:13:55.040,0:14:00.560 Examine them in the pure light of [br]God's Word. 0:14:00.560,0:14:04.440 You can come to the conclusion that - 0:14:04.440,0:14:11.880 I refuse to be defiled by that which does not define me. 0:14:11.880,0:14:16.200 I refuse to idolise words that are idle. 0:14:16.200,0:14:23.280 I refuse to be misled by the [br]devil’s misinformation! 0:14:23.280,0:14:26.720 Yes, they may hurt me but they [br]do not hold me. 0:14:26.720,0:14:30.320 They may wrong me but they [br]do not own me. No! 0:14:30.320,0:14:34.480 I may feel bad but my feelings are not the captain of my heart. 0:14:34.480,0:14:37.920 My emotions are not the rudder of my soul. 0:14:37.920,0:14:40.600 I am not a slave to my senses. 0:14:40.600,0:14:45.160 Yes, I may react in the flesh [br]but I am not ruled by the flesh. 0:14:45.160,0:14:47.680 Thank You, Jesus! 0:14:47.680,0:14:57.480 People of God, when the Word of God [br]is in our hearts, 0:14:57.480,0:15:05.160 when we take hold of that Word, [br]it becomes our stronghold, 0:15:05.160,0:15:07.800 our anchor in the storms, 0:15:07.800,0:15:16.200 our shelter from the deceptions of darkness and the fluctuations of our feelings. 0:15:16.200,0:15:18.840 So let me put it to you today. 0:15:18.840,0:15:25.640 Ask yourself this question. 0:15:25.640,0:15:33.920 Are there any negative words that have been spoken over your life 0:15:33.920,0:15:42.360 that you are harbouring in your heart [br]at this moment? 0:15:42.360,0:15:45.120 Take note of something. 0:15:45.120,0:15:52.840 For a ship to harbour, [br]there must be an anchor. 0:15:52.840,0:16:01.800 What you harbour reflects [br]where you anchor. 0:16:01.800,0:16:04.480 So let this message today encourage you! 0:16:04.480,0:16:14.480 Let this message encourage you to anchor your life, your hope, your heart 0:16:14.480,0:16:21.520 on the unchanging authority of [br]the living Word of God, 0:16:21.520,0:16:30.400 not the powerless and changing [br]words of man. 0:16:30.400,0:16:37.880 May God bless His Word in the midst [br]of our hearts, in Jesus’ name. 0:16:37.880,0:16:40.480 Right now, let us pray together. 0:16:42.400,0:16:46.000 A Time of Prayer 0:16:47.720,0:16:55.640 Every lie of the devil registered [br]in your heart - 0:16:55.640,0:17:00.320 I say, be cancelled! 0:17:00.320,0:17:05.240 Be cancelled, in the mighty name [br]of Jesus Christ! 0:17:05.240,0:17:11.640 Every negative pronouncement [br]over your life - be nullified! 0:17:11.640,0:17:15.320 Be nullified, in the name of Jesus Christ! 0:17:15.320,0:17:22.800 Whatever poison has polluted your heart - [br]I declare purification right now! 0:17:22.800,0:17:26.360 Be purified! 0:17:26.360,0:17:32.760 Be cleansed by the precious [br]Blood of Jesus Christ! 0:17:32.760,0:17:37.040 Be purified from that poison of bitterness! 0:17:37.040,0:17:41.920 Be purified from that poison of resentment! 0:17:41.920,0:17:51.840 Be purified from that poison of offence, [br]in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 0:17:51.840,0:18:02.400 Remember, harbouring offence is actually a reflection of insecurity 0:18:02.400,0:18:07.400 about our identity in Christ. 0:18:07.400,0:18:17.960 When words become wounds, it is an indicator of just how far we have fallen 0:18:17.960,0:18:22.480 from the understanding of God's paramount position. 0:18:22.480,0:18:30.680 Right now, whatever is attacking that assurance of who you are in Christ - 0:18:30.680,0:18:34.200 I say, be removed! 0:18:34.200,0:18:41.920 Be removed, in the mighty name [br]of Jesus Christ! 0:18:41.920,0:18:50.600 Refuse right now to be a dumping ground for the devil's lies. 0:18:50.600,0:18:57.240 Refuse to be a dumping ground for the devil's propaganda. 0:18:57.240,0:19:01.080 By faith in the name of Jesus Christ, [br]walk in the light! 0:19:01.080,0:19:02.640 Talk in the light. 0:19:02.640,0:19:04.160 Move in the light. 0:19:04.160,0:19:07.280 Walk in freedom. Walk in truth. 0:19:07.280,0:19:13.800 Walk in the light of the living Word of God and overcome the senses, 0:19:13.800,0:19:18.160 in Jesus’ mighty name. 0:19:18.160,0:19:22.480 Amen. 0:19:22.480,0:19:24.160 Thank You, Jesus.