1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,920 How to Overcome Offence 2 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,440 Grace and peace to you all in Jesus’ mighty name. 3 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:19,200 Welcome, everyone, to another edition of ‘Faith Is Natural’ here on God's Heart TV. 4 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:27,360 Now, today, I want to share with you all a message with an important lesson 5 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:35,720 about how to overcome offence in our relationships. 6 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:41,520 Because I have seen on so many occasions 7 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:49,480 just how easily relationships can be damaged because of words. 8 00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:58,680 Many relationships today end prematurely because of words. 9 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:03,880 You see marriages fall into divorce. 10 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,720 You see families become fractured. 11 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:18,480 You see friendships hit the point of separation because of words. 12 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:26,280 In the same vein, I have seen how many times little issues that could have been 13 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:36,720 resolved quickly become worsened and lengthened because of words. 14 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:48,080 Insensitive words, careless words, bitter words, provoking words, poisonous words. 15 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:54,000 But people of God, I put it to you today 16 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:05,640 that it is not the poison of words but the pollution of hearts 17 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:12,840 that really builds offence and breaks relationships, 18 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:17,760 sometimes even beyond repair. 19 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:20,960 The pollution of hearts. 20 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:30,160 You see, words can be spoken in a moment of indiscretion, insensitivity, 21 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:33,800 provocation, pain or anger. 22 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:45,160 But those words can be harboured in the heart for days, weeks, months, even years - 23 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:52,480 long after the emotions of that moment have faded, 24 00:02:52,480 --> 00:03:03,200 long after the circumstances that surrounded that exchange have changed. 25 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,440 Now, let me be very clear with you, people of God. 26 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:12,880 I’m not in any way excusing or condoning the use of poisonous words. 27 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:14,280 No! Not at all. 28 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:20,880 In fact, our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 12:36-37, 29 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:28,320 ‘We will give an account for every idle word that is spoken.’ 30 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:36,000 As Christians, we must offer that prayer that David offered in Psalm 141:3, 31 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:42,200 ‘Oh Lord, set a watch over my lips; set a guard over the door of my mouth’, 32 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,400 so that we avoid tongue trouble. 33 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:51,760 So I'm not in any way excusing the use of poisonous words. No! 34 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:57,600 But in today's message, I want to focus on our reaction 35 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:03,120 when we are on the receiving end. 36 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:11,280 You see, the issue is not the hearing of such words. 37 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:19,680 The issue is the harbouring of such words in our hearts. 38 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:27,960 It is the harbouring of poison that truly brings the contamination. 39 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:29,800 Now, I want to be practical. 40 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,000 Let's give a practical example of this. 41 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:38,080 Just imagine you eat, drink or take something into your system 42 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:44,080 and it's something strange and your body recognises it as something toxic, 43 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,600 something poisonous. What is your first reaction? 44 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,200 You spit it out. 45 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,760 You get rid of it as quickly as possible. 46 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,640 God has designed our body in a way that we reject 47 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:03,560 and eject that thing which we recognise as dangerous. 48 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:07,160 In the same way, people of God, 49 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:18,320 harbouring poisonous words in your heart is dangerous. 50 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:31,040 Because what you hold onto can easily take hold of you. 51 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,160 Think about that. 52 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,200 Let me say it again. 53 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:46,240 What your heart holds onto may soon take hold of you. 54 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,720 So, the question is this. 55 00:05:50,720 --> 00:06:02,800 Why then is it so common today for us to harbour something that is so hazardous? 56 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,400 It's a question. 57 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:10,240 And this ushers me to the main point I want to emphasise 58 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:13,360 in today’s message, people of God. 59 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:23,080 I believe one of the major contributing factors to this offence in our hearts 60 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:31,080 is because we register the words of man in our hearts 61 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:36,520 as if they were the Words of God. 62 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,280 What do I mean? 63 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:50,520 We assign the same degree of value, importance, significance to human words, 64 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:54,360 as if they were the Word of God. 65 00:06:54,360 --> 00:07:06,440 Now, Jesus Christ says in Luke 6:45 that our heart is the treasury. 66 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:19,440 Many today have sadly reduced or cheapened this treasury 67 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,320 to the position of a dustbin 68 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:28,480 where we permit all kinds of rubbish, all kinds of garbage 69 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:36,520 to fester wounds and to foster lies in our hearts. 70 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:45,200 Many of us today are so quick, too quick to cheaply give our hearts away 71 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:51,720 to words that spring from an untrustworthy source. 72 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,760 A common example, people of God. 73 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,880 Maybe you've had an argument with someone. 74 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:01,280 And in the course of that argument, negative words have been used. 75 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:08,840 And that night when you go to bed, you begin to turn those negative words 76 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:13,400 over and over again in your heart. 77 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:21,000 You begin to rewind in your mind the moments when such words were spoken. 78 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:29,000 In fact, many of us even continue imaginary dialogue with our offender. 79 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,160 What is happening? 80 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:39,880 We relegate the value of the heart 81 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:46,640 because we elevate the words of man. 82 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:51,400 What happens because of this, people of God? 83 00:08:51,400 --> 00:09:05,240 Offence easily takes root and words become wounds. 84 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:11,520 And if care is not taken, damaged hearts lead to damaged homes, 85 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:16,440 damaged relationships, damaged opportunities. 86 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:28,280 Because we have treated the words of man as if they were the Words of God. 87 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:33,520 People of God, to overcome offence, 88 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:42,400 you must recognise that your heart is too precious 89 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:49,160 to harbour words that do not define your destiny. 90 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:58,360 You must recognise that your heart is simply too precious 91 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:05,520 to harbour words that do not define your destiny. 92 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:12,680 People of God, let me tell you this vital, important and life-changing truth! 93 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:19,840 The only words worthy of your hearts are the Words of the Living God! 94 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:25,920 The only words that are trustworthy enough, dependable enough, 95 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:31,000 reliable enough, consistent enough, pure enough 96 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:36,440 to turn over and over again in our hearts 97 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:40,680 is the Living Word of God, the Word of the Holy Spirit. 98 00:10:40,680 --> 00:10:52,680 Therefore, people of God, we must stop the registration of illegitimate declarations! 99 00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:54,000 What do I mean? 100 00:10:54,000 --> 00:11:00,720 Even in this natural world, we recognise that registration is for something official. 101 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:04,440 It is for something that has been proven genuine. 102 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:08,800 So, we must register when it's time to vote. 103 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,160 We must register to attend university. 104 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:15,000 We must register when we get married. 105 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:21,520 The government bodies may receive many applications but they filter them 106 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:28,520 and register once they are confirmed, once they are proven. 107 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,160 I hope you see where I'm going, people of God. 108 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:40,640 Our mind can process many things without our heart absorbing them, 109 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,640 without our heart registering them. 110 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:48,720 Registration is for things that are proven true. 111 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:51,000 Registration is not for falsehood. 112 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:56,520 Registration is not for fantasy. No! 113 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:04,040 Stop registering in your heart 114 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:10,920 unofficial declarations over your life. 115 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:18,240 Don't give your heart to such words, people of God. 116 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:23,560 The only declarations that are worthy of your attention 117 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:30,360 are those sanctioned by Scripture, in tune with Scripture, in line with Scripture - 118 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:36,640 things that are pure, just, noble, excellent, upright, admirable, praiseworthy - 119 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,800 as Philippians 4:8 says. 120 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,760 That's the only thing worthy. 121 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:48,440 Worthless words are not worthy of your heart. 122 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:53,040 They do not define your worth. No! 123 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:56,240 The only One who is worthy... 124 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:59,200 Worthy is the Lamb who sits on the throne! 125 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:09,000 The only One who is worthy is the only One who has the power to define your worth, 126 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,600 people of God. 127 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:23,520 In a world where there are so many conflicting views and voices, 128 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:35,040 the only opinion that really matters, that really counts is God’s opinion. 129 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:43,600 So, if someone has spoken negative words over your life, 130 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,320 people of God, don't take them to heart. 131 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:55,040 Don't give place to the devil, as Ephesians 4:27 says. 132 00:13:55,040 --> 00:14:00,560 Examine them in the pure light of God's Word. 133 00:14:00,560 --> 00:14:04,440 You can come to the conclusion that - 134 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:11,880 I refuse to be defiled by that which does not define me. 135 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:16,200 I refuse to idolise words that are idle. 136 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:23,280 I refuse to be misled by the devil’s misinformation! 137 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:26,720 Yes, they may hurt me but they do not hold me. 138 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:30,320 They may wrong me but they do not own me. No! 139 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:34,480 I may feel bad but my feelings are not the captain of my heart. 140 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,920 My emotions are not the rudder of my soul. 141 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:40,600 I am not a slave to my senses. 142 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:45,160 Yes, I may react in the flesh but I am not ruled by the flesh. 143 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,680 Thank You, Jesus! 144 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:57,480 People of God, when the Word of God is in our hearts, 145 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:05,160 when we take hold of that Word, it becomes our stronghold, 146 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,800 our anchor in the storms, 147 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:16,200 our shelter from the deceptions of darkness and the fluctuations of our feelings. 148 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,840 So let me put it to you today. 149 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:25,640 Ask yourself this question. 150 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:33,920 Are there any negative words that have been spoken over your life 151 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:42,360 that you are harbouring in your heart at this moment? 152 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,120 Take note of something. 153 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:52,840 For a ship to harbour, there must be an anchor. 154 00:15:52,840 --> 00:16:01,800 What you harbour reflects where you anchor. 155 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,480 So let this message today encourage you! 156 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:14,480 Let this message encourage you to anchor your life, your hope, your heart 157 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:21,520 on the unchanging authority of the living Word of God, 158 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:30,400 not the powerless and changing words of man. 159 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:37,880 May God bless His Word in the midst of our hearts, in Jesus’ name. 160 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:40,480 Right now, let us pray together. 161 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:46,000 A Time of Prayer 162 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:55,640 Every lie of the devil registered in your heart - 163 00:16:55,640 --> 00:17:00,320 I say, be cancelled! 164 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:05,240 Be cancelled, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 165 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:11,640 Every negative pronouncement over your life - be nullified! 166 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,320 Be nullified, in the name of Jesus Christ! 167 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:22,800 Whatever poison has polluted your heart - I declare purification right now! 168 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:26,360 Be purified! 169 00:17:26,360 --> 00:17:32,760 Be cleansed by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ! 170 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:37,040 Be purified from that poison of bitterness! 171 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:41,920 Be purified from that poison of resentment! 172 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:51,840 Be purified from that poison of offence, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 173 00:17:51,840 --> 00:18:02,400 Remember, harbouring offence is actually a reflection of insecurity 174 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:07,400 about our identity in Christ. 175 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:17,960 When words become wounds, it is an indicator of just how far we have fallen 176 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:22,480 from the understanding of God's paramount position. 177 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:30,680 Right now, whatever is attacking that assurance of who you are in Christ - 178 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:34,200 I say, be removed! 179 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:41,920 Be removed, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 180 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:50,600 Refuse right now to be a dumping ground for the devil's lies. 181 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:57,240 Refuse to be a dumping ground for the devil's propaganda. 182 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:01,080 By faith in the name of Jesus Christ, walk in the light! 183 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:02,640 Talk in the light. 184 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,160 Move in the light. 185 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,280 Walk in freedom. Walk in truth. 186 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:13,800 Walk in the light of the living Word of God and overcome the senses, 187 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:18,160 in Jesus’ mighty name. 188 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:22,480 Amen. 189 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:24,160 Thank You, Jesus.