Key verses: 1 Samuel 25: 2-11, 23-35

Key thought

Offenses are inevitable, how we handle is what matters most. Failure to handle offense can kill, delay, deform the execution of our visions and dreams

• Offense in our context is the act of being displeased, angered or annoyed by a person or situation
• Matthew 18:7 KJV Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
• David is a visionary,  he was anointed to become king of Israel yet he was about to put into jeopardy his God-given vision to be come king because of his failure to handle offense

1. Offense can be contagious if not dealt with properly
   • Offense and bitterness can be transferred across and between generations
   • Mishandling offense can lead to mob mentality which is disastrous.
2. Offenses that have not been well handled cause collateral damage
   • David was about kill the entire family of Nabal for the sins of their master, one who was a foolish drunkard
   • We must use restraint, and not rush through our decisions
3. Failure to handle offenses can lead to sin
   • Offense can manifest in different forms, at the basic level it is anger but it can degenerate into complex feelings and reactions that are definitely sin
   • Bitterness and resentment are some of  the results of offense that has not been handled well

The wisdom of Abigail- how to handle offense

1. Remember your God given purpose or Vision
   • God is faithful to every promise he has made despite the offensive situations we find ourselves in
   • In the face of offense, we must not be indifferent to our calling as children of God and specific visions and purposes we carry.
   • Our response to offense can start a chain effect on not just ourselves also impact others and our future
2. Look more within than outside
   • Offense may be personal but don't personalize it
   • Better handling of offenses is dependent on our internal state.
   • Our response to offense mostly center on self interests than God’s greater purposes in that situation
3. Be open to the wisdom of Godly counsel 
   • David received counsel from an unlikely source, a woman 
   • We should not allow the pain of offense to blind us from seeing reality 
   • We need people who will tell us the truth that is grounded in the word of God
4. Forgiveness is one sure way of dealing with offense
   • We must forgive and then also walk in forgiveness
   • Sometimes, healing from offense may be a process in which God must be at the center
   • It Is a biblical command to forgive those who have offended us, let God handle the rest.

Conclusion

Love covers a multitude of offenses

Proverbs 12:16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Altar call

• Pray for healing for anyone still hurting because of offenses
• Pray for those whose lives have taken a wrong turn because they did not handle offense well, pray for the mercy of God
• Pray for those that have hurt others, pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit
• But woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
• Pray that we will not fall prey to transferred offense- Pray for this nation