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