Psalm 119:165 Amplified says, “Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.” The word offense originally meant a trapstick, a bent sapling, or a moveable stick with bait used to catch animals. An offense is the temptation to sin.

We don’t have to take the bait! We will have countless opportunities to become offended, but if our heart is filled with love for God’s word, the trap is set in vain ~ it will be instantly discerned and rejected.

The moment our peace is missing in any situation, we need to check our heart for an offense. What does an offense look like? Our spirit immediately backs up, but our flesh rises in defense. Fleshly reactions reveal hidden unresolved issues. According to Proverbs 4:23 they just spring up unexpectedly. The intensity of an offense is neutralized the moment we forgive the offense, in the face of the temptation to sin.