How to Combat the Spirit of Offense in the Church

On today’s episode of Daily Faith, Pastor Mark Ivey discusses spiritual challenges confronting the Church amidst today’s global unrest. He warns of an insidious spirit of offense prevalent in society and infiltrating the Church. As followers of Christ, we’re urged to combat this spirit with love and forgiveness, ultimately to keep unity in the body. Scripture reminds us to resolve any harbored offense before presenting offerings to God; unresolved, these offerings lose their significance. Forgiveness and grace must be freely extended.

Pastor Ivey emphasizes that minor offenses can snowball into betrayal and hatred if not quickly addressed. Like a fast-spreading disease, offenses can infect our hearts and minds, potentially leading to deeply rooted-resentment and division in the Church.

Living like Christ in the Church means showing compassion for the lost and passion for believers.

While end-times prophecy predicts such turmoil, as disciples, our duty is to follow Christ’s example of peace and forgiveness. Unity is our goal. Despite the adversary’s attempts to foster discord, we should extend grace to each other, welcoming the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Visit www.christalive.com to learn more about Christ Alive Church in Newtown, SC.

The central mission of our ministry in Eastern Europe is to rescue children from falling victim to human trafficking and being sold into slavery. Many of these children are forgotten and abandoned by society. Poverty often compels families in such regions to relinquish their loved ones to orphanages, denying them the warmth and compassion of familial love. Upon aging out of the system, these children are thrust onto the streets, often being forced back into the desolate environments they initially escaped from, making them susceptible to the deceitful narratives of human traffickers.

We have established a village of homes in Moldova and a house in Odessa, Ukraine, providing a safe, nurturing environment for these children to experience love and unity. Here, they learn about Jesus’s love daily, understanding how it dispels all offense, fear, and doubt. As their understanding of the Lord deepens, their capacity for compassion expands, fostering a desire to see everyone healed and made whole.

With summer approaching, they’re preparing to share the gospel of Jesus through various outreach programs. They are committed to touching the hearts and lives of these downtrodden children, striving to bring them into God’s Kingdom, one child at a time.

For more information on supporting The Orphans Hands ministry, please visit www.theorphanshands.org.