The Hidden Battle of Offense and How It Opens Doors to Spiritual Attacks
In our daily lives, we encounter situations that can offend us, whether it’s a colleague’s insensitive comment, a family member’s criticism, or even disagreements within our spiritual community. But what if these offenses are more than just emotional reactions? What if they’re actually doorways to something more dangerous?
This message explores a profound spiritual truth: offense is more than an emotion; it’s a dangerous spiritual doorway that, when left unchecked, can invite demonic influence into our lives.
Understanding the Hour of Your Life
Before diving into the dangers of offense, we must first understand the importance of discerning the season we’re in. Jesus exemplified this awareness when He recognized that “His hour had come to leave this world and return to His Father” (John 13:1).
Each of us has different “hours” or seasons in our lives. Some are in seasons of preparation, others in seasons of growth, and still others in seasons of transition. The key is learning to discern which season you’re in and embracing it rather than fighting against it.
“You must grow in your ability to discern the hour of your life.”
Many of us struggle with impatience, wanting to rush into the next season before we’re ready. But Jesus Himself had “lost years” where Scripture doesn’t record His activities, because it wasn’t yet His time for public ministry. When we fail to discern our current season, we risk missing the growth and preparation needed for what’s ahead.
The Reality of Spiritual Influence
One of the most overlooked aspects of spiritual life is the reality of demonic influence. The Bible clearly depicts this reality in John 13:2, mentioning that “the devil had already prompted Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray Jesus.”
This is a sobering reminder that:
- Demonic influence is real
- Even those close to spiritual leadership (like Judas among the disciples) can be affected
- Offense often creates the initial opening for this influence
Unfortunately, many churches avoid discussing the reality of demonic activity, which ironically can lead more people toward atheism. When we acknowledge only the physical world while ignoring spiritual realities, we present an incomplete picture of existence.
Offense: The Door-Opener to Demonic Influence
What was it that made Judas susceptible to demonic influence? The Scripture reveals it was offense, specifically offense about money and ministry resources.
Judas became offended when Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. His complaint was superficially spiritual: “This money could have been used for the poor!” But Jesus exposed Judas’s true heart: “We both know you don’t really care about the poor.”
This pattern continues today. People often criticize churches for how they allocate resources:
- “Why do they need such a nice building?”
- “Why spend money on production equipment?”
- “Why not give all that money to the poor instead?”
These criticisms sound spiritual but often mask deeper issues. Jesus pointed out that if someone truly cared about the poor, their actions and bank statements would show it, not just their criticism of others.
The dangerous progression is clear:
- Offense creates a crack in our spiritual armor
- This crack allows demonic influence to enter
- Once entered, it can forcibly take over, as happened with Judas
“When you crack the door, the devil kicks it open.”
The Spiritual vs. Physical Reality
Understanding offense requires recognizing a fundamental truth: we are primarily spiritual beings having a temporary physical experience. The physical world we see is not all there is.
When Jesus spoke of leaving “this world,” it indicated the existence of multiple worlds or realms. This perspective transforms how we view our earthly experiences, including offenses. What seems important in the physical realm often pales in comparison to spiritual realities.
Many critics of spiritual priorities are revealing their own spiritual deadness—they can only perceive physical needs while missing eternal ones. Feeding someone physically helps for a few hours until they’re hungry again, but addressing spiritual needs has eternal impact.
The Foot-Washing Example: The Ultimate Antidote to Offense
In John 13, Jesus gave us the ultimate demonstration of how to overcome offense through His act of washing the disciples’ feet. This wasn’t just about physical cleanliness, it carried profound spiritual significance:
- It demonstrated humility: Jesus, their Lord and Teacher, took the position of the lowest servant.
- It symbolized spiritual cleansing: Jesus said, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash except for the feet to be entirely clean.”
- It showed unconditional love: Jesus washed ALL the disciples’ feet, including Judas who would betray Him and Peter who would deny Him.
This powerful example teaches us that the antidote to offense is servanthood and humility. When Jesus knelt to wash feet, He was saying, “I’m not offended by your dirt, your sin, or your failures.”
The Towel Around the Waist: A Powerful Symbol
When Jesus removed His outer garment and wrapped a towel around His waist, He was making a profound statement that His Jewish disciples would have recognized. This act mirrored what the High Priest would do on the Day of Atonement before making sacrifice for the people’s sins.
Jesus was symbolically showing that He was about to make the ultimate sacrifice. As He moved from disciple to disciple, the towel became increasingly soiled, a powerful picture of how He would take on all our sin.
The message is clear: if Jesus isn’t offended by our sin and failures, how can we remain offended by others?
Practical Application: Becoming Unoffendable
So how do we practically apply these spiritual truths? Here are four key steps:
1. Take Communion When Offended
Establish a practice of taking communion whenever you feel offended. This sacred act reminds us of the price Jesus paid and helps reset our perspective. Keep communion elements available and use them when offense strikes.
2. Choose to Wash Feet Instead of Pointing Fingers
When conflicts arise, ask yourself: “Am I here to accuse or to wash feet?” Jesus’ example shows that in His presence, everyone gets washed, not accused.
In moments of tension and conflict, consider how you might serve the person who offended you rather than pointing out their faults.
3. Recognize That Offense Changes Love
One of the most damaging effects of offense is how it changes our capacity to love. After experiencing trauma, betrayal, or abandonment, many people say things like:
- “I’ll never get married again”
- “I’ll never go to church again”
- “I’ll never trust again”
Yet Jesus was betrayed, denied, and abandoned, and it never changed His love. Don’t let your traumatic experiences change how you love.
4. Allow Jesus to Wash Your Feet First
Perhaps the most crucial step in becoming unoffendable is allowing Jesus to wash your feet first. Many believers are quick to serve others but struggle to receive grace themselves.
Some continually try to earn God’s favor through service, giving, or spiritual disciplines, thinking, “If I just do enough, I’ll finally deserve grace.” But this misses the point entirely: Grace cannot be earned.
“You’re never going to deserve grace. You have to learn how to sit in that seat and let Him wash your feet.”
Jesus wants to wash away your shame, your past failures, your addictions, and your fears. The only question is whether you’ll let Him.
Breaking the Generational Pattern of Offense
Modern science is now catching up to biblical truth through the study of epigenetics—the idea that trauma and behaviors can be passed down through generations. Just as the Bible speaks of generational patterns, science now confirms that the trauma of our ancestors can affect us today.
The key to breaking these patterns isn’t just willpower; it’s allowing Christ’s love to touch every damaged area of your life:
“It’s not that I’m better than my ancestors; it’s just that I let more of Christ’s love into more places than my ancestors did.”
When we struggle with recurring sin or destructive patterns, the answer isn’t usually more effort but more love, specifically, allowing Christ’s love to heal areas we’ve kept closed off.
Conclusion: From Accusation to Washing
The ultimate test of whether Jesus is truly present in our lives and communities is simple: does everyone get accused, or does everyone get washed?
In environments where Christ’s love reigns, people experience cleansing, healing, and restoration, not condemnation and accusation. This is the heart of the gospel message.
As we conclude, remember that offense is not just an emotion to manage; it’s a spiritual doorway that must be guarded. Through communion, foot-washing, and receiving Christ’s love, we can develop truly unoffendable hearts that reflect His character.
The question isn’t just whether you’ve been forgiven, but how much of Christ’s love you’ve allowed to transform you. Where have you not yet let His love touch? What areas are you still hiding?
He stands ready with a towel around His waist, waiting to wash every part of your life. Will you let Him?
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For more on offense, check out Pastor Mike’s bible reading plan “The Unoffendable Heart” on the Youversion App.