DAY 17 Outline – OFFENCE RETENTION, AN OMNIOUS SIGN – 21-Days, 2026 FIRST-FRUIT Prayers and Fasting

WATCHMAN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENT 21 Days FIRST FRUIT FASTING FELLOWSHIP 2026 (Premium Edition) (Day 17)

• Theme: REAPING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DIVINE REMEMBERANCE
• Texts: Gen. 8:22; Hos. 10:12; Jn. 4:35-38; Gal.6:7
• Topic: OFFENCE RETENTION, AN OMNIOUS SIGN
• Subtexts: Pro.4:20-23; Matt.18:7

We wish to remind all that the 21days exercise is meant to purify participants as one  that  is  wadding  through  a clean  flowing  river.  This  should  be  borne  in  mind as we go through this teaching. The challenges of our time create an atmosphere conducive for birthing and assimilation  of  offences.  The  power  of  darkness  knowing  that  their  time  is very short (Matt. 8:29; Rom. 13:12) are busy pushing their emissaries to cast spells of irritability  and  anger,  violence,  hatred,  strife,  and  all  manner  of  emotional  toxins upon people and places thus heating up the polity (Matt.24:10; 2Tim.3:1-3). The economic distress, financial downturn and associated hunger exacerbate the toxic  emotional  situation  (Ps.11:3).  The  suspension  of  sermons  on  holiness  that build  character  and  value  and  addiction  to  messages  on  financial  breakthrough has not been helpful to the church; as covetousness has engulfed assemblies and all manner of vices including offence making and offence taking. (1Tim.6:8- 10) The child of God is expected to be wise and to act knowledgeably (Pro.1:5; 22:3; Matt.10:16; 18:8). We shall describe ‗offences‘ and discuss the management.

• OFFENCES DESCRIBED

Simply speaking, offences are acts that violate laws, rules, or customs. To appreciate the effect of the condition, we shall go to the Greek word translated ―offences‖ – skandalŏn which means trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin). Skandalŏn is used  metaphorically for  anything that arouses prejudice;  or becomes a hindrance to others; or causes them to fall by the way. It includes  teaching  of  things  contrary  to  sound  doctrine  (Rom.16:17).  It  does  not take root where love is functional (1Jn.2:10). Offences always take root when our pride or sense of self is challenged. The unrefined may burst into some frenzy of violence at such an instance, while the  more  disciplined  may  initially  stay  calm  but  transit  to  a state  of  pouting  and dejection: planning how to retaliate (2Sam.13:19-22). They are thoughts embedded in the mind and often viewed as spiritual realities. They are silent killers, destroying physical, emotional and spiritual lives. Physically, they breed debilitating chronic diseases like  hypertension,  heart     failure, ulcers, cancers, arthritis, immunological diseases. Mental health can terribly be affected as peace and joy depart setting a stage for depression, etc. Spiritually, offences can gender bitterness, hatred and all manner of pollution, thus defiling the victims and their sympathizers (Heb12:14-15). In addition, the offended heart cannot delight in spiritual things (cp. Ps.42:5; 43:5).

• OFFENCE MANAGEMENT, DISCUSSED (Matt.18:15-19)

This silent destroyer which has liquidated many relationships leaving behind broken homes, devastated spouses, singly-parented children; divisions and balkanization of churches; fractured erstwhile promising businesses or death from disease or suicide, must not be neglected (Pro.17:22). For when discovered early and nipped in the bud, often leads to a better relationship between the offence-taker and offence-maker. The  Lord  who set  up  the  human  organization  knows  about the  challenges  that arise in human relationship and so gave His counsel to His people as follows:

1. Always acknowledge the Lord in all circumstances (Pro.3:5,6; Ps.119:19).
2. Adopt humility so as to do anything necessary for peace (Matt.5:9; Phil.2:3). iii. Be apt to listen and slow to speak in anger (Jas.1:19).
3. Speak the truth in love as soft answer drives away wrath (Eph.4:15; Pro.15:1).
4. Focus on reconciliation rather than winning: (be ready to admit your faults and not defend yourself).
5. Forgive as Christ did (Lk.23:34; Mk.11:25,32; Matt.18:21-35; 6:14-15). vii. Be addicted to eating the word of God (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:165)

Couples  must  guard  against  offences  by  being  open,  truthful,  and  wise  in  their relationship (Pro. 22:3; 27:12). They must hold the principle of ―agree to disagree‖. They must avoid digging holes to find ‗crickets in the relationships (Eccl. 7:21-22) and partner‘s trigger zones. The believer must learn to give benefit of doubt and avoid offences that originate from presumption (cons. Jos. 22:10-34). While we wait on the Lord with His word, a prayer for instantaneous sanctification can do the miracle of perpetual offence-rejection (Isa. 6:1-7) Keeping offences is dangerous in the now and in eternity. Let us rise to pray.