Mooreover / Blog

Kami and I are currently going through a ministry program called Cleansing Streams. We’ve only gone to a couple meetings, but we’ve already learned alot. One of the lessons that I’ve learned is entirely appropriate for today…

The lesson came from a book from John Bevere entitled “The Bait of Satan.” I haven’t gotten very far, but it’s already got me in a corner.

One of [Satan's] most deceptive and insidious kinds of bait is something every Christian has encountered - offense. Actually, offense itself is not deadly - if it stays in the trap. But if we pick it up and consume it and feed on it in our hearts, then we have become offended. Offended people produce much fruit, such as hurt, anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are insults, attacks, wounding, division, seperation, broken relationships, betrayal, and backsliding.

What better weapon to use against Christians than offense? If you want someone to put on their flesh and feel righteous about it, offend them. All too often we’re blind to the transformation that occurs - too obsessed with righting the wrong against us to realize that our response isn’t righteous at all.

This transition might be a little rough - but hang with me. Growing up, my mom was the fodder for many jokes. Not because she deserved it (ok - she deserved it sometimes), but because she took it so well. There were the obligatory “blonde” jokes, the “directionally challenged” jokes, and the “so naive it’s cute” jokes. It was all in good fun, but like Chinese water torture - even the best-humored secret agent would have cracked (secret agent = reference to another mommy joke). Not Mom.

So maybe innocent barbs from loved ones isn’t the best example. But growing up in a small town, and having lived through a church split or two, I witnessed attacks on my mother that were far more malicious than our silly jokes. I think it’s fair to say that the only thing worse than a woman scorned is an offended religious woman - and churches are usually their lair. So being a worship leader, my mom was under attack often. Still, I don’t remember ever seeing my mom stew. I’m sure that there was a part of her spirit that mourned, but her flesh didn’t rise up in bitterness.

Which leads me to believe this my mom: she understood the trap of offense. It’s not that I don’t believe that she ever got her hand caught, but I do believe that she understood that freedom was a better alternative, so when offense came at her, she gave it to God, and returned the attack with love.

Today is my mom’s birthday. Happy birthday Mom, and thanks for being not only a good sport, but also a wonderful example to your children.