140 – Iris – “My husband constantly says and does things that offend me deeply.”
“No email available, but this message was about dealing with painful offenses that were coming from her husband in an unequally yoked marriage.”
Snakebit: Overcoming Offense Through the Grace of God
Have you ever felt the sting of offense, the poison of another's words or actions coursing through your being? It's a painful experience, one that can leave us feeling hurt, angry, and even spiritually paralyzed. But there is a way to trade that poison for grace, to find healing and life through the power of the cross.
Think of offense like a snakebite. The venom disrupts our system, causing us to shake, sweat, and feel anxious. Our natural reaction is to strike back, to retaliate. But Jesus offers a different way. He promises that we will "trample on snakes and scorpions" (Luke 10:19), not by our own strength, but by His.
Peter said “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). So how do we access this power? “God gives grace (power) to the humble (James 4:6). One practical step is to pour out our hearts to God. Just as we would seek medical attention for a snakebite, we must run to the Lord with our offenses. Cry out to Him, express your pain and frustration, getting the poison out of your system. (1 Peter 5:7)
This process of surrendering our hurt to God is a form of dying to self. It's acknowledging our own weakness and choosing to rely on His strength. The more alive our self-life is, the more easily we are offended. But as we die to self, we become less susceptible to the poison of offense. God uses these offenses to bring about death to our old nature and resurrection life in Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:11)
As we learn to depend on God's grace, we develop a spiritual immunity to the venom of offense. It may still sting, but it no longer has the power to paralyze us. We can face the snakes and scorpions of life, knowing that through Christ, we have been given all authority over the enemy. Trade your poison for grace today, and experience the life-giving power of the cross.
