Offense: The Fence to Your Spiritual Growth

By Menkato V Awomi

In our journey with God, we often talk about growth growing in faith, in maturity, and in understanding His will. Yet many believers find themselves stuck, unable to move forward spiritually. Why?

One major reason is offense

Offense is not just an emotion it is a spiritual trap. It quietly builds a fence around your heart, restricting your growth and blinding your vision. As Scripture reminds us, It is impossible that no offenses should come (Luke 17:1). Offenses are inevitable but being trapped by them is not.

The Subtle Trap of Offense

Offense is one of the enemy’s most effective tools. It doesn’t always come through obvious attacks. Instead, it often comes through relationships, misunderstandings, and unmet expectations.

It wounds deeply because most offenses don’t come from strangers, they come from people close to us.

As written in Psalm 55, the pain is not from an enemy, but from a friend, someone we worshiped with, trusted, and walked alongside. 

This is what makes offense dangerous. It doesn’t just hurt it lingers, and if not dealt with, it grows into bitterness.

Two Types of Offended People

There are generally two kinds of people who fall into offense:

Those Who Are Truly Hurt

These individuals have genuinely been wronged often by fellow believers or leaders. Their pain is real. But instead of healing, they hold onto the hurt, allowing it to shape their perspective and relationships.

Those Who Assume They Were Wronged

These individuals believe they have been treated unfairly, but their conclusions are often based on incomplete or inaccurate understanding. Their judgment is shaped by assumptions rather than truth.

In both cases, the outcome is the same: a heart trapped in offense.

The Bait of the Enemy

The Bible describes offense as a trap of the devil. Like a fisherman uses bait, the enemy uses situations arguments, disagreements, misunderstandings to hook us.

Once offended, people often don’t realize they are trapped. They become prisoners of bitterness, resentment, and pride. 

And here’s the danger:

A trapped believer cannot grow.

Why Offense Blocks Spiritual Growth

God has a calling for every believer. But offense clouds your spiritual vision.

You cannot discern clearly

You cannot walk in obedience fully

You cannot love genuinely

Offense makes you spiritually handicapped.

Jesus warned in Matthew 24 that in the last days, many will be offended, and as a result, the love of many will grow cold. 

This love refers to Agape love, the unconditional love of God. When offense takes root, this divine love is replaced with conditional love:

I will love you if you treat me right.

But God calls us higher.

Agape Love: The Antidote to Offense

Agape love is not based on feelings, it is a decision.

It says:

I will love, even if I am hurt

I will forgive, even if it’s undeserved

I will choose Christ over my emotions

When you choose to love like this, you disarm offense.

Galatians reminds us that what we sow, we will reap. If we sow love, we will reap life even if not immediately. 

Knowledge Without Obedience Is Dangerous

We live in a generation full of teachings, sermons, conferences, and revelations. Yet many remain unchanged.

Why? Because knowledge without obedience leads nowhere.

As Scripture says, people are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If offense and unforgiveness remain in your heart, no amount of teaching can produce transformation.

Joseph: A Life Without Offense

Joseph had every reason to be offended.

Betrayed by his brothers

Sold into slavery

Falsely accused

Imprisoned unjustly

Yet he chose not to be offended.

In prison, in pain, and in confusion, Joseph held onto God instead of bitterness. And when he finally stood before his brothers, he said:

You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Joseph’s refusal to hold offense became the pathway to his destiny.

David: Tested Through Offense

David was anointed king but before the throne came the test.

King Saul pursued him, tried to kill him, and treated him unjustly. Yet David had multiple chances to take revenge and he didn’t.

Why? Because David refused to let offense rule his heart.

God was not just preparing David for a throne. He was testing his heart.

Offense in the Church Today

Many believers today walk away from churches not because God led them out, but because offense pushed them out.

They don’t like leadership decisions

They feel misunderstood

They get hurt and leave

But often, these are not divine leadings they are baits of offense.

The Bible says God places each member in the body as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:18). 

If God has placed you somewhere, the enemy will try to move you through offense.

How to Guard Your Heart Against Offense

Stay Rooted in the Word

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing shall offend them. 

Choose Obedience Over Emotion

Spiritual growth is not about how much you know it’s about how much you obey.

Walk in Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not optional it is essential for freedom.

Wait for God’s Direction

If God is leading you out of a place, it will come with peace and joy, not bitterness or confusion. 

Thought

Offense is a fence.

It traps you, limits you, and keeps you from becoming who God has called you to be.

You will be offended, it’s unavoidable.

But staying offended is a choice.

Choose love.

Choose forgiveness.

Choose freedom.

Because your spiritual growth and your destiny depends on it.

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