Offense!  A Comfortable Rut

By Angela M. Smith

© S&M Publishing, 2005

Why do you suppose that once the start of a significant period defines a grand theory, the philosopher pounds their feet into their opinion and refuse to move?  I take into account that when a person becomes unbroken with a way of life, a procedure, or a way of thinking, it can be a paramount burden to change.  Change is a process that causes some to lose their minds when they try to transition into something unknown, or into something that defies their belief.

They are comfortable with what they know and how they think; and if “change” goes against what they accept as true, they will remain true to what they have faith in.  Tradition is not always a phenomenon of times past; it is a very present element. And although tradition is good for what it is good for, there will come a time when it is detrimental and ineffective for what is to come (Smith, 2005).

In regards to the “spirit of offense”, I deem it is a personality that must become invalid in proportion to the willpower of the individual.  It is a temperament of power, a divine influence of control to impart fear as if what you do and/or believe is not what I do and/or believe; and my way is superior or more sovereign than your ways.  Offense is a living substance, creating heady energy in the north gate; the entrance to the seat of jealousy (Ezekiel 8:3-4 (1998) New King James Version [NKJV]. 

From my view, Satan functions in tradition (the hand me down from age to age…nothing different).  He is the prince of offense (wrongdoings…sin) with a plan of old and fatigued tactics, which has not “changed”, has no power, and should not have an emotional impact on the household of Christ.   

Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified version [AMP]) compels us to walk and live consistently, and alert, and controlled by the Holy Spirit so that we do not give great privilege to the begging’s of the flesh (offense…wrongdoings).  Yet, for the reason that it feels good, the burden to change our actions and responses is weighty; and to severely discipline the ways we have united with is too intense.  These cravings are oh so good to the body, and at the same time they are in habitual opposition to the Christ in you. 

Allow me to interject from a scholarly point of view:  In describing the theories of the unconscious mind, to me they seem to be evenly balanced in method.  One method is based upon psychic entities called monads (mental in nature with some physical particles), and the core of the theory is the activity of the monads and the degree of consciousness.  The other method is based upon the threshold of consciousness in that for an idea to rise to consciousness it must be compatible to ideas that are already into consciousness (Schultz & Schultz, 2004, p 393).  I submit that if an idea is already into consciousness, where was it at before it arrived to the idea above (consciousness, mind, and the flesh)?  It had to have first been in the idea below (unconsciousness, unseen, and the spirit). 

In essence, the spirit of offense is (a burdened way of life, a comfortable rut) present in the conscious (the idea above) because it first existed in the unconscious (the idea below).  And Christ Himself stated publicly “to make the tree good or bad and its fruit will be accordingly; for the tree is recognized and judged by what it produces.  How can you speak good things when you are indeed wicked, for out of the overflow of your heart (your spirit…your unconsciousness) the mouth speaks; the good and evil man from their good and evil inner treasures do likewise and bring forth good and evil things (Matthew 12:35 AMP).  

I also liken it to a tree planted by a river of water whose roots grow way deep into the earth; if we only observe the tree, its leaves, its fruit and its base, we will only see the results of the seed.  Then again, when you get to the core of the tree, where the substance is maintained, you can understand quite a bit more of the trees development and the foundation for its strength.  Examining the domino effect of the spirit of offense is not to focus on what is evident (what is spoken, acted on or responded to), but focus on what is not seen (Smith, 2005).       

Food for thought:  The sounds of waves breaking on a beach has nothing to do with the amount of individual rain drops collected, it has all to do with the power of the wind.  The weaker the wind is, the lesser the waves roar; the more forceful the winds, then the sound of waves breaking are present (Smith, 2005).

Reference List:

Holy Bible (1987), The Lockman Foundation, Amplified (AMP), retrieved on September 24, 2005 from http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:16-26;&version=45;

Holy Bible (1998), Woman Thou Art Loosed Edition, New King James Version.  Thomas Nelson, Inc

Schultz, D.P. & Schultz, S.E. (2004), A History of Modern Psychology, (8th Ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth;

Smith, Angela (2005).  The History and Systems of Psychology, Walden University