So, God accepts us through Christ. Then I have a question: if all humans, the way we are made (come from God) we all have a desire to get to know our Creator. How come many people tend to rather choose against Him? Why is that other force so strong, that many perish, instead of becoming His children, too? Our own 'free' will? Lack of knowledge?
We begin in Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.
What is Offense? Itself is not deadly – if it stays in the tray. But if we pick it up and consume it and feed on it in our hearts, then we have become an offense. Offense people produce much fruit, such as anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are insults, attacks, wounding, divisions, separation, wounding division, and broken relationships betrayal, and backsliding. Often those who offended do not even realize they are trapped.
They are oblivious to their condition because they are so focused on the wrong that was done to them. They are in denial.
The most effective way for the enemy to blind us is to cause us to focus on ourselves.
Luke 17:1"It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
Matt 18:6-7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Matt 18:5-6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Luke 17:1 It is impossible but that offense will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Psalms 55:12-14 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in the company.
2 Tim 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The Greek word for “offend” in Luke 17: 1 comes from the word skandalon. This word originally referred to the part of the trap to which the bait was attached. If It stays in the tray Hence the word signifies laying a trap in someone’s way. The New Testament often describes an entrapment used by the enemy.
The offense is a tool of the devil to bring people into captivity. Paul instructed young Timothy:
Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to
the prince of the power of the air
, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, There are so several weapons Satan uses, to trap the mind
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
See Genesis 3: 13
1 Timothy 5:15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
Lucifer wise and prudent as wise as a serpent, wise as any beasts deceived Eve, But also deceived man as well.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, roams as a roaring lion, walk around and about, seeking whom he may devour:
Note: Lucifer is called Satan, the word Satan just means an “adversary of man.” Lucifer can be a skillful hunter as in,
1 Peter 5:8; just not a roaring lion, but a skillful hunter, as one as preying hunter on the mind of the weak, doesn’t need to be a roaring lion.
Revelation 2:24
the depths of Satan
2 Corinthians 11:14 for Lucifer, Satan your adversary, can transform himself as a man, or into an angel of light.
Lucifer is wise and prudent
To give Him an Open Door
For Sin lies at the door
Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(2 Corinthians 2:11)
A trap, if it stays in the tray of his devices. Much hindered from coming to you Time and time again--but Satan hindered us. A messenger of Satan to buffet my burning of the mind, the fiery darts again I say a messenger, an angel of light or thorn in the flesh, are offense people
the mind can be vexed
See 2 Cor 2:11; 1 Thess 2:18; Rom 15:22; 2 Cor 11:14.