Offence Distorts Spiritual Vision

One of the most dangerous effects of offence is not what it does to our emotions, but what it does to our vision. An offended heart rarely sees clearly. It begins to interpret words, actions, and even God’s dealings through the lens of pain rather than truth.

Lord Jesus warned of this principle when He said:

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22–23).

When offence enters the heart, it clouds the inner eye. The problem is no longer the situation it is the perspective.

From Discernment to Suspicion

Discernment is a gift of the Spirit; suspicion is a product of offence. When hurt is unresolved, the heart begins to assign wrong motives where none exist. Neutral actions feel personal. Silence feels hostile. Correction feels like rejection.

Apostle Paul cautions believers:

“For we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

One of the enemy’s most effective devices is to use offence to replace discernment with suspicion slowly turning fellowship into distance and unity into isolation.

The Offended Prophet

John the Baptist is a sobering example. He boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), yet later, when he was imprisoned, he sent word asking:

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3).

What changed? John’s circumstances. His unmet expectations created room for offence, and offence clouded his revelation. The same man who once saw clearly now questioned deeply.

Lord Jesus did not rebuke John harshly but He corrected his vision by pointing him back to what God was doing, not what John was experiencing (Matthew 11:4–6).

Offence Can Make God Seem Unfaithful

One of the subtle lies offence whispers is this: “If God really cared, this wouldn’t have happened.” Over time, offence can reshape theology, turning trust into disappointment and faith into silent resentment.

The psalmist wrestled honestly with this tension:

“As for me, my feet had almost stumbled… for I was envious of the boastful” (Psalm 73:2–3).

Yet clarity returned only when he entered God’s presence. Vision is restored not by replaying hurt, but by realigning with truth.

At the cross, offence loses its power. When Lord Jesus was suspended between heaven and earth, He prayed, saying:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Forgiveness is not denial of pain it is refusal to let pain define perception. The cross reminds us that God can be at work even when things feel unjust, delayed, or misunderstood.

Apostle Paul declares:

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Offence magnifies the moment; faith sees the outcome.

A Question for You

As we continue this journey, let us ask an honest question:

Has offence altered the way I see God, people, or myself?

Bible Reading Genesis 19-21

Listen to today’s Daily Manna Audio

Offence Distorts Spiritual Vision

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