🎥 Video 5A: Hurt, Sin, and the Choice to Take Offense

Hi, I am Haley Steiner, a CLI presenter.

This course is taught by Professor Brian DeCook.

In this lesson, we begin looking at the trap of offense.

This is an important topic, and we need to handle it carefully.

Being hurt is real.

Being sinned against is real.

Being betrayed, dismissed, insulted, misrepresented, ignored, or treated unjustly can cause deep pain.

The Bible does not ask us to pretend harm did not happen.

Jesus never calls evil good.

So when we talk about the choice to take offense, we are not blaming the person who was harmed.

We are not saying, “You should not feel pain.”

We are not saying, “Just get over it.”

We are asking a different question.

After hurt happens, what will rule my heart?

Will the injury become a doorway to bitterness, revenge, self-justification, and accusation?

Or will I bring the hurt into the presence of Christ?

The trap of offense begins when hurt becomes a ruling posture.

It says, “Because I was wronged, I am now justified in whatever I feel, say, repeat, withhold, or do.”

It says, “I will keep rehearsing the injury until it defines the other person, defines me, and defines the relationship.”

It says, “My pain gives me the right to punish.”

That is where the Wildfire spreads.

Ephesians 4 teaches us not to let anger become a foothold for the devil. Anger may alert us that something matters. But anger can also become a place where the enemy gains influence if we nurse it, feed it, and let it rule us.

The Peacefire gives us another path.

We can say, “Lord, this hurt is real. You see it. You know what happened. Help me not become ruled by bitterness, revenge, or pride.”

Psalm 62 invites God’s people to pour out their hearts before Him.

That means we can lament.

We can grieve.

We can name injustice.

We can seek wise help.

We can set boundaries when needed.

But we do these things before God, not as people trapped by offense.

Jesus knows what it is to be falsely accused, rejected, betrayed, and wounded. He is not distant from our pain.

He meets us there.

Before moving on, think of one hurt you have carried. Ask honestly: Have I brought this hurt to Christ, or have I allowed it to become a ruling offense in me?

Do not rush the answer.

Bring the pain into the Peacefire.


Last modified: Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:42 PM