Offence Opens Doors to Spiritual Bondage

Offence never intends to remain small. What begins as a moment of hurt, if left unresolved, can quietly become a spiritual doorway. Scripture warns us that internal wounds can invite external oppression when they are allowed to linger.

Apostle Paul gives a direct instruction:

“Nor give place to the devil”
(Ephesians 4:27).

The word place implies territory ground willingly or unknowingly surrendered. One of the most common grounds believers yield is unforgiven offence.

From Wound to Stronghold

A wound is an injury; a stronghold is a fortified position. When offence is not healed, it hardens into a pattern of thinking resentment, bitterness, withdrawal, anger, or mistrust.

Apostle Paul explains:

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

Strongholds are built from repeated thoughts. Offence supplies those thoughts with emotional fuel, making them difficult to dismantle without intentional surrender to God.

Warning About Unforgiveness

Lord Jesus gave one of His most sobering teachings in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35). The servant, forgiven an enormous debt, refused to forgive a smaller one. The result was severe:

“He delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due” (Matthew 18:34).

This passage reveals a spiritual reality: unforgiveness exposes believers to torment not because God desires it, but because offence removes spiritual protection.

Jesus later concluded:

“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you… does not forgive” (v.35).

Bondage Affects Peace, Not Position

It is important to understand that offence does not remove salvation but it does rob peace, joy, clarity, and authority. A believer may still love God, yet live weighed down by anxiety, heaviness, or constant inner unrest.

Prophet Isaiah writes:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).

Offence shifts the mind from God to the wound, from trust to defence. The heart becomes guarded not by wisdom, but by fear.

Joseph had every reason to remain offended—betrayed by brothers, falsely accused, forgotten in prison. Yet Scripture records no bitterness in his heart.

When confronted with his brothers, he declared:

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph’s refusal to harbour offence preserved his freedom and positioned him for elevation.

A Call to Action

Today, examine not just what hurt you but what you have held onto. Freedom is not found in rehearsing pain, but in releasing it to God.

David prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10).

Bible Reading : Genesis 22-24

Listen to today’s Daily Manna Audio

Offence Opens Doors to Spiritual Bondage

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