Offended

I. The Deceptive Trap

 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! Luke 17:1

Offense: skandalon

Offense is a tool of the Devil to bring people into captivity.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will,” (II Tim 2:24-26 NKJV).

4. Those who are in quarrels or opposition fall into a trap and are held prisoner to do the devil’s will.

They're unaware of their captivity

Pride  

Keeps you from admitting your true condition.

Keeps you from dealing with truth.

Keeps You from Repentance

    II Timothy 2:34-26

Causes you to view yourself as a victim

II. The Cure

“Buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18).

A pure heart is like pure gold

Hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin! (Hebrews 3:13)

Refining gold

Grinding it into powder and mixing it with a substance called flux.

Mixture heated in Furnace

Impurities rise to the top while the gold remains on the bottom

Impurities scraped away  

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10 NKJV).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…, (1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV)

God refines Us.

Sin Hides where there is no heat of trials

III. See Your True Condition

Jesus said our ability to see correctly is another key to being freed from deception.

“Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:18).

When we blame others and defend our own position, we are blind.

GRACE BAPTIST PODCAST