Apostle John Eckhardt is urging believers to recognize and reject one of Satan’s most effective spiritual traps: offense.
Teaching from the best-selling book The Bait of Satan by John Bevere, Eckhardt shared how this powerful work exposed the hidden dangers of harboring bitterness and unforgiveness.
“The central message of The Bait of Satan is that offense is one of the primary weapons Satan uses to divide, isolate, and ultimately destroy believers,” Eckhardt said.
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During his livestream message, Eckhardt emphasized that offense is more than a mere emotional reaction—it’s a spiritual snare. “When we take the bait of offense, we step into a trap that can harden our hearts, hinder our prayers, rob us of joy, and block spiritual growth,” he said.
Referencing Luke 17:1 and Proverbs 18:19, Eckhardt underscored that offense is not only inevitable, but dangerous: “It is impossible that no offenses shall come… a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.”
He explained the Greek word for offense, scandalon, means “the bait stick of a trap,” revealing just how calculated Satan’s strategy is. “Offense leads to resentment, bitterness, and ultimately bondage,” he warned.
Eckhardt also pointed to Matthew 24:10 as a sobering prophetic indicator of the times: “Many will be offended, betray one another, and hate one another.”
But there is a path to freedom, he said—through forgiveness and maturity. “Unforgiveness imprisons us, not the one who wronged us,” Eckhardt declared. “Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a decision.”
He reminded believers that bitterness not only damages relationships but can open the door to physical affliction. “Bitterness leads to sickness and infirmity,” he said, highlighting God’s identity as Jehovah Rapha, the healer, who revealed Himself at the bitter waters of Mara.
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Ultimately, maturity is the key to escaping the cycle of offense. “Mature believers are unoffendable,” Eckhardt said. “They prioritize unity and humility. God uses offense to purify motives and produce Christlike character.”
He challenged the audience to examine their hearts and take authority over bitterness. “I will not take the bait of Satan,” Eckhardt urged believers to declare. “I choose to forgive, release and bless. I am free from offense, and I walk in love.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
