November 24th, 2025
by Kyle Maycock
by Kyle Maycock
Winning The War of "One Another" - Offenses
# 5-Day Devotional: Winning the War of One Another
## Day 1: Expecting Offenses with Grace
**Reading:** Matthew 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 16:5-13
**Devotional:**
David's encounter with Shimei teaches us a profound truth: offenses are inevitable, but our response is optional. When cursed and pelted with stones, David chose restraint over reaction, recognizing God's sovereignty even in painful moments. Like David, we must expect that living among imperfect people will bring wounds. The question isn't *if* we'll be offended, but *how* we'll respond. Will we react emotionally or respond spiritually? Today, consider that person who hurt you. Ask yourself: Is this offense worth my peace? Is the devil baiting me into a fight I don't need? Choose restraint. Choose to trust that God sees your misery and will restore His covenant blessing instead of allowing bitterness to take root.
## Day 2: Don't Be the Offender
**Reading:** Matthew 18:6-7; Romans 12:18
**Devotional:**
Jesus warns sternly against causing others to stumble in their faith. His words are sobering: it would be better to have a millstone around your neck than to intentionally harm a believer. The best way to avoid war is not to start one. As Christ-followers, we're called to watch our tone, guard our actions, and lead with love rather than reaction. "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people." This means being intentional about how we handle people—choosing words that build up rather than tear down, extending grace before judgment. Today, examine your recent interactions. Have you been quick to speak and slow to listen? Have your words caused someone to stumble? Endeavor never to be the offender. Make friends, not enemies. This is the Christian way.
## Day 3: Go and Engage
**Reading:** Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:25-27
**Devotional:**
The enemy's greatest playground is offended silence—when you're hurt and they don't even know, when conflicts fester in the darkness of assumption. Jesus gives us clear instruction: "Go." Not wait. Not send subliminals. Not gather a mob. Go directly to the person who offended you. Most conflicts don't grow because of what happened; they grow because of what was never said. The goal isn't winning the argument; it's winning your brother or sister back. Don't assume people's motives. Don't wait months to engage. Don't talk to ten people about what one person did. Have the courage to have an honest conversation between just the two of you. When we engage biblically, we close the door on the devil's schemes and open the door to restoration and peace.
## Day 4: Invite Help, Not Hostility
**Reading:** Matthew 18:16-20; Proverbs 11:14
**Devotional:**
Some conflicts won't fix themselves alone. When one-on-one conversation doesn't resolve the issue, Jesus instructs us to invite wise, mature witnesses—not to gang up on someone, but to bring objective perspective. Mediation isn't weakness; it's wisdom. Sometimes we're too emotionally invested to see clearly, and we need another vantage point. The church isn't merely a social club; it's a spiritual body with spiritual authority for those who submit. In this process, we must involve God. Jesus promises, "Where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." He wants to be present when we're solving our problems. His grace, wisdom, and Word are designed to help us get along. Today, if you're stuck in a conflict, consider: who are the wise, mature believers who could help mediate? Don't let pride keep you from seeking godly counsel.
## Day 5: Forgive and Set Boundaries
**Reading:** John 2:23-25; Colossians 3:12-15
**Devotional:**
After you've done all you can—gone alone, brought witnesses, involved spiritual authority—there may come a time to walk away. Jesus loved everyone, but He didn't give everyone equal access to Him. He "would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people." Forgiveness is immediate, but boundaries are strategic. You can release someone without giving them the keys to hurt you again. Forgiveness is for yesterday; boundaries are for tomorrow. The key to dealing with offenses is making a commitment to forgive—to release the debt, to let go of the burden. This doesn't mean reconciliation is always possible, but it means you refuse to carry bitterness. Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray Him, showing us what it means to live unoffended. Today, choose freedom. Release those who've hurt you into God's hands. Guard your heart wisely, but walk in the lightness that comes from forgiveness.
## Day 1: Expecting Offenses with Grace
**Reading:** Matthew 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 16:5-13
**Devotional:**
David's encounter with Shimei teaches us a profound truth: offenses are inevitable, but our response is optional. When cursed and pelted with stones, David chose restraint over reaction, recognizing God's sovereignty even in painful moments. Like David, we must expect that living among imperfect people will bring wounds. The question isn't *if* we'll be offended, but *how* we'll respond. Will we react emotionally or respond spiritually? Today, consider that person who hurt you. Ask yourself: Is this offense worth my peace? Is the devil baiting me into a fight I don't need? Choose restraint. Choose to trust that God sees your misery and will restore His covenant blessing instead of allowing bitterness to take root.
## Day 2: Don't Be the Offender
**Reading:** Matthew 18:6-7; Romans 12:18
**Devotional:**
Jesus warns sternly against causing others to stumble in their faith. His words are sobering: it would be better to have a millstone around your neck than to intentionally harm a believer. The best way to avoid war is not to start one. As Christ-followers, we're called to watch our tone, guard our actions, and lead with love rather than reaction. "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people." This means being intentional about how we handle people—choosing words that build up rather than tear down, extending grace before judgment. Today, examine your recent interactions. Have you been quick to speak and slow to listen? Have your words caused someone to stumble? Endeavor never to be the offender. Make friends, not enemies. This is the Christian way.
## Day 3: Go and Engage
**Reading:** Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:25-27
**Devotional:**
The enemy's greatest playground is offended silence—when you're hurt and they don't even know, when conflicts fester in the darkness of assumption. Jesus gives us clear instruction: "Go." Not wait. Not send subliminals. Not gather a mob. Go directly to the person who offended you. Most conflicts don't grow because of what happened; they grow because of what was never said. The goal isn't winning the argument; it's winning your brother or sister back. Don't assume people's motives. Don't wait months to engage. Don't talk to ten people about what one person did. Have the courage to have an honest conversation between just the two of you. When we engage biblically, we close the door on the devil's schemes and open the door to restoration and peace.
## Day 4: Invite Help, Not Hostility
**Reading:** Matthew 18:16-20; Proverbs 11:14
**Devotional:**
Some conflicts won't fix themselves alone. When one-on-one conversation doesn't resolve the issue, Jesus instructs us to invite wise, mature witnesses—not to gang up on someone, but to bring objective perspective. Mediation isn't weakness; it's wisdom. Sometimes we're too emotionally invested to see clearly, and we need another vantage point. The church isn't merely a social club; it's a spiritual body with spiritual authority for those who submit. In this process, we must involve God. Jesus promises, "Where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." He wants to be present when we're solving our problems. His grace, wisdom, and Word are designed to help us get along. Today, if you're stuck in a conflict, consider: who are the wise, mature believers who could help mediate? Don't let pride keep you from seeking godly counsel.
## Day 5: Forgive and Set Boundaries
**Reading:** John 2:23-25; Colossians 3:12-15
**Devotional:**
After you've done all you can—gone alone, brought witnesses, involved spiritual authority—there may come a time to walk away. Jesus loved everyone, but He didn't give everyone equal access to Him. He "would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people." Forgiveness is immediate, but boundaries are strategic. You can release someone without giving them the keys to hurt you again. Forgiveness is for yesterday; boundaries are for tomorrow. The key to dealing with offenses is making a commitment to forgive—to release the debt, to let go of the burden. This doesn't mean reconciliation is always possible, but it means you refuse to carry bitterness. Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray Him, showing us what it means to live unoffended. Today, choose freedom. Release those who've hurt you into God's hands. Guard your heart wisely, but walk in the lightness that comes from forgiveness.
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