A peacemaker will go in love and confront, bringing truth, so that healing and restoration can come. A peacemaker does not put on a facade and call you a friend, then talk against you behind your back.
How many times have we been around someone that has offended us, and we put on a fake smile and act like everything is OK, when on the inside we are seething?
When I began studying the spirit of offense, I had to go to my husband and ask him to forgive me because of the offense in my heart that I had harbored for several years. A peacemaker desires sincerity, truth, and love.
I have never been a confronter. Sometimes it's easier to just cover up things. Sometimes you want to put on a false face and a fake smile, and therefore your relationship is not deep and rich like it should be. But, I decided, I refuse to hide offenses. I refuse to allow a root of bitterness to spring up on the inside of me.
Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.The Living Bible says:
Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it.
(Heb. 12:14-15 AMP)
Try to stay out of all quarrels and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.In the story with my husband, for over three years I was walking around thinking I was anointed, and thinking I was in the will of God, but I was defiled the whole time.
Bitterness is a root. And if the roots are nourished, watered, fed and protected, then they increase in strength and they increase in depth. If roots are not dealt with quickly, they are hard to pull up.
The strength of the offense will continue to grow. The Bible says the person who does not pursue peace by releasing offense will eventually be defiled. Defiled means soiled, filthy and polluted.
I want all offenses dealt with immediately in my life so I can progress in my walk with God. I don't want anything holding me back.
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Publications