Thy Kingdom Come WK-5

Offense, Forgiveness, and the Protection of the Church

1. The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:13–15 NASB95

13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. *[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] 14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Today, I want us to take an in depth look into two parts of this passage of Scripture.

“But deliver us from the evil one…”

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…”

Foundational observation:

Jesus ends the Lord’s Prayer with deliverance from the evil one— then immediately teaches on forgiveness and offense.

2. Original Manuscript Layout

Why the Ending Matters

The earliest Greek manuscripts (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus) conclude Matthew 6:13 with:

“…but deliver us from the evil one.”

In these early manuscripts there is:

No doxology

No pause

No amen

Now, we are not concluding that the Bibles that contain these are false, or adding to Scripture, but rather that these early copies reflect a driving that motive these writers remembered when Jesus led this conversation on prayer. They focus us on the heart of the matter. From the end of Matthew 6:13, Jesus flows directly into verses 14–15.

Matthew 6:14–15 NASB95

14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Meaning that Jesus Himself defines “the evil one” by what He addresses next.

Early Church Understanding

The early church consistently treated forgiveness as the interpretive key to the prayer. They did not separate:

Deliverance

Forgiveness

Community unity

“If we have not forgiven others, then our prayer is no prayer at all.”

John Chrysostom

And even more sharply:

“The man who remembers injuries cannot pray.”

For the early church, unforgiveness didn’t just weaken ones prayers — it invalidated prayer.

John Wyclif, early reformer and first translator of the English Bible, insisted Scripture must interpret itself:

“Prayer is not learned in books, but in obedience to the Word of God.”

John Wyclif

Meaning that Christ’s teaching is continuous and what follows explains what precedes. Matthew 6:14–15 is not just commentary; it is Jesus defining what deliver us from evil means. Or more precisely, the heart of the Lord’s prayer.

3. The Revelation

Jesus Is Teaching Us to Pray Toward Breaking Off Offense.  Out of six petitions,

Hollowed by your name

Your kingdom come

Your will be done

Give us this day our daily bread

Lead us not into temptation

Deliver us from evil

Jesus only explains one. He didn’t explain daily bread; He didn’t explain temptation or deliverance from the evil one. He explained forgiveness.

“Nothing is more offensive to God than prayer offered while the heart is cherishing resentment… Unforgiveness is a state of mind that renders prayer powerless.”

Charles Finney

I want you to hear me loud and clear: Forgiveness is more than just spiritual maturity — it is spiritual warfare.

4. This Is an US Prayer

Every petition uses ἡμᾶς (hēmas) — us:

Give us

Forgive us

As we forgive

Lead us

Deliver us

“We do not say ‘My Father,’ but ‘Our Father,’ because the prayer of Christ is not for one alone, but for all… He who prays in discord with the brethren cannot speak with God as Father.”

Cyprian of Carthage

“The presence of God cannot dwell where the spirit of discord rules.”

A.W. Tozer  

Private offense will eventually become a corporate vulnerability for the church. We may have correct theology, but if we lack love, our worship is an insult to God. Jesus in Matthew 15 reveals this when He quotes the Prophet Isaiah:

Matthew 15:7–9 NASB95

7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ”

5. The Church Has Always Faced Offense

Acts, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians are perfect case studies for us. The New Testament does not hide conflict.

The early church faced offense over:

1. Jew vs. Gentile Identity

Acts 10:1–48; Acts 11:1–18; Acts 15:7–11

Offense over who truly belonged

Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit without Jewish conversion

2. Circumcision — Grace vs. Law

Acts 15:1–2, 5–11; Acts 15:24–29

Some insisted circumcision was required for salvation

Apostolic correction clarified salvation by grace alone

3. Cultural Favoritism & Neglect

Acts 6:1–7

Hellenistic widows overlooked in daily distribution

Cultural tension between Hebraic and Greek-speaking believers

4. Personality Loyalty & Factionalism

1 Corinthians 1:10–13; 3:3–7

“I follow Paul… Apollos… Cephas”

Loyalty to leaders over loyalty to Christ

5. Abuse of Communion

1 Corinthians 11:17–22, 27–30

Wealthy believers humiliating the poor

Communion becoming a source of division rather than unity

6. Moral Discipline in the Church

1 Corinthians 5:1–7; 2 Corinthians 2:5–11

Sexual immorality tolerated

Tension between discipline and restoration

7. Christian Freedom & Conscience Issues

1 Corinthians 8:1–13; 10:23–24

Eating meat sacrificed to idols

Knowledge versus love

Freedom causing others to stumble

8. Worship Expression, Order, and Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4–7; 14:26–33, 40

Disorderly worship gatherings

Conflict between spiritual expression and corporate edification

9. Apostolic Authority Challenged

2 Corinthians 10:1–12; 12:11–13

Paul’s leadership questioned

Accusations of weakness and inconsistency

10. Leadership Disagreement (Paul & John Mark)

Acts 13:13; 15:36–41; 2 Timothy 4:11

John Mark’s earlier failure

Sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas

Eventual restoration and usefulness

“Where there are divisions and anger, God does not dwell.”

Ignatius of Antioch

6. How These Offenses Were Handled

Scripture Offense Resolve

Acts 6: “Our widows are being overlooked” Appointment of the seven

Acts 15:1 “Unless you’re circumcised…” Apostolic council

1 Cor 1:12 “I follow Paul…” Christ-centered correction

1 Cor 5:1–5 Moral failure tolerate Church discipline for restoration

1 Cor 8:9 Freedom causing offense Love limits liberty

1 Cor 11:20–22 Class division at communion Harsh rebuke - Table re-centered

1 Cor 14:26 Chaotic worship Order for Church services ordained

Acts 15:39 Sharp leadership disagreement Personal reconciliation 2 Tim 4:11

7. Satan as the Ruler of Offense

Scripture consistently links Satan’s influence to:

Anger

Unforgiveness

Division

Relational fracture

His Name Is “The Accuser of the Brethren”

The Biblical Name Tells the Strategy the New Testament names Satan explicitly:

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:10 NASB95

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

The Greek word for accuse is katēgoros - it means:

Prosecutor

One who brings charges

One who builds a case

Job 1:11 “…he will surely curse you…”

Job 2:5 “…he will curse you…”

Zec 3:1 “… and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him”

Luke 22:31 “…Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat”

1 Pet 5:8 “…your adversary, the devil…”

Satan does not rule primarily through temptation — he rules through accusation. And accusation always produces offense. We must understand – the accuser of the brethren can also mean putting accusations in your mind toward others that build resentment, anger and bitterness.

Jesus Confirms the Pattern

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 NASB95

44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

- Lies fracture trust.

- Accusation poisons relationships.

- Offense becomes the environment Satan thrives in.

Paul Makes It Explicit

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 NASB95

10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Paul is referencing his letter in 1 Corinthians 5 where he tells the church of Corinth to deal with the immoral actions of the church - where even one man was having sexual relationship with his mother. In that letter he tells the church, remove this man from fellowship with the church. Not out of anger - but verse 5 says:

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 5

for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus

Now, Paul circles back to this moment in his Second Letter by saying: 2 Corinthians 2:6-7

2 Corinthians 2:6 NASB95

6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,

That is the removal of this man from the church fellowship. But look again at the deeper why.

2 Corinthians 2:7 NASB95

7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

What does he say? You should forgive him - or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. How many people in your life have been overwhelmed by excessive sorrow because of wrongs we have refused to forgive.

2 Corinthians 2:8 NASB95

8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

What’s the danger for those who will not forgive? It’s not only the excessive sorrow on the behalf of the offender - but look again: 2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB95

11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Withholding forgiveness gives a foothold to Satan in your life.

Anger as the Doorway

Ephesians 4:26–27 NASB95

26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.

The word opportunity is translated topos = territory, foothold, place of rule. Unresolved anger becomes jurisdiction.

“When prayer is hindered by anger, the devil stands close at hand.”

Tertullian

“Prayer cannot exist in an atmosphere of strife. The soil of prayer is love, and where love is wounded, prayer withers.”

 EM Bounds

8. The Lord’s Prayer — Offense Is Central

Five major movements:

Our Father — Freedom in the father relationship hinges on obedience.

Your Kingdom — Recognition of His Authority means submission to His ethics.

Give us this day — This is grace. The conduit of grace is spiritual alignment.

Forgive us, We forgive — Internal unity declared.

Lead us not / deliver us — My rights laid down – I seek protection where I am weak.

“There can be no peace with God for those who will not be at peace with one another.”

Augustine of Hippo

How to Release Forgiveness (Kingdom Process)

Forgiveness is not emotional relief—it is the removal of Satan’s access.

Seven Steps To Releasing Forgiveness

1. Name the Offense Before God

Identify what happened, who hurt you, and how it affected you. You cannot release what you refuse to name.

Psalm 62:8 NASB95

8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

2. Separate the Person from the Power

People wound, but Satan exploits wounds. Forgiveness disarms the enemy without excusing the offense.

Ephesians 6:12 NASB95

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

3. Choose Forgiveness as Obedience

Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. Healing follows obedience.

Colossians 3:13 NASB95

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

4. Verbally Release the Debt

Forgiveness must be spoken.Unspoken forgiveness leaves authority undeclared.

Proverbs 18:21 NASB95

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

5. Renounce Retaliation and Rehearsal

Stop replaying, retelling, and reliving the offense. You cannot forgive and rehearse simultaneously.

Romans 12:19 NASB95

19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

6. Bless Where You Were Wounded

Blessing seals forgiveness and closes the door offense tries to reopen.

Matthew 5:44 NASB95

44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:28 NASB95

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:14 NASB95

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

7. Invite Healing

Forgiveness removes poison; healing restores strength.

Psalm 147:3 NASB95

3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.