God's Altar and You

When the Enemy Doesn’t Attack You Directly

Not every spiritual attack looks like warfare.

Some look like offense.

Some look like betrayal.

Some look like disappointment.

Some look — well… justified.

One of the enemy’s most effective and subtle strategies in Scripture is called skandalon— a Greek word meaning: a trap, snare, stumbling block, something that causes offense or leads someone into sin. It was originally referred to the trigger stick of a trap—the thing that causes the trap to snap shut.

“Scandal” and “scandalous” in English come directly from skandalon. This is a trap so effective it has sidelined prophets, leaders, churches, and entire generations.

If you understand skandalon, you can avoid becoming spiritually immobilized while thinking you are “standing your ground.”

What Does Skandalon Mean?

The Greek word σκάνδαλον (skandalon) literally means:

• A trap stick
• The trigger of a trap
• Something placed to cause someone to stumble
• An offense that ensnares

In ancient traps, the scandalon was the baited stick. When an animal touched it, the trap snapped shut.

So skandalon is not the trap itself—it is what attracts you into the trap. The bait. I remember as a child growing up in a rural district in Jamaica, as children it was a joy to set traps to catch mangoose and birds. They would never see it coming as they ‘followed the bait’ that lead them straight into the trap. That’s the same thing the devil is doing to mankind.

“Woe to the world because of offenses (skandalon).”— Matthew 18:7

Jesus did not say offenses might come.

He said they WILL come.

Offense Is the Bait, Not the Outcome

This is where many believers misunderstand spiritual warfare.

The enemy is not primarily trying to make you angry— he is trying to make you stuck.

Offense becomes dangerous when it:

• Hardens the heart
• Distorts perception
• Justifies withdrawal
• Interrupts love
• Stops spiritual growth

John Bevere explains this clearly in ‘The Bait of Satan’:

offense is Satan’s bait, and many believers take it without realizing the cost.

How Skandalon Works Spiritually

The progression is usually subtle:

1. An offense occurs
2. The offense feels justified
3. The heart begins to close
4. Perspective narrows
5. Love grows cold
6. Spiritual movement slows or stops

Jesus warned about this exact pattern:

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” — Matthew 24:10 (KJV)

Offense doesn’t remain isolated—it multiplies.

Biblical Examples of Skandalon

1. Peter Becomes a Scandalon To Jesus

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense (skandalon) to Me.” — Matthew 16:23

Peter was not evil—but he spoke from human reasoning instead of divine purpose.

Even well-meaning people can become skandalon when they:

• Resist God’s process
• Prioritize comfort over obedience
• React emotionally instead of spiritually

Jesus addressed the source, not the person.

2. Jesus Himself Became a Skandalon

“Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” — Matthew 11:6

Jesus was a skandalon because:

• He didn’t meet expectations
• He disrupted religious systems
• He confronted hearts

Many rejected Him not because He was false—but because He was inconvenient.

Truth often offends before it frees.

3. Israel’s Repeated Offense in the Wilderness

“They hardened their hearts…” — Hebrews 3:8

Israel’s offense was not just against Moses—it was against God’s ways.

Offense caused them to:

• Complain instead of trust
• Resist leadership
• Miss timing
• Die short of promise

Offense delayed destiny.

4. The Pharisees and the Trap of Righteous Offense

“They were offended at Him.” — Matthew 13:57

Religious offense is one of the most dangerous forms of skandalon because it feels spiritually justified.

Yet it blinds the heart.

Why Scandalon Is So Effective Against Believers

The enemy uses offense because:

• It feels reasonable
• It appeals to justice
• It doesn’t look sinful
• It masquerades as discernment
• It shuts down love quietly

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” — Matthew 24:12

Cold love is not loud—it is withdrawn.

How Skandalon Stops Spiritual Authority

Offense limits authority because authority flows through love, humility, and obedience.

“If you forgive others… your Father will forgive you.” — Matthew 6:14

Unresolved offense:

• Weakens prayer
• Blocks discernment
• Interrupts unity
• Silences witness

This is why Satan targets believers using offense more than open sin.

How to Avoid the Trap of  Skandalon

1. Recognize Offense Quickly

Delay gives roots time to grow.

2. Separate the Person From the Process

God often uses imperfect people.

3. Guard Your Heart, Not Your Narrative

Being right is not the same as being free.

4. Choose Humility Over Vindication

Jesus laid down His rights.

5. Keep Love Central

Love keeps vision clear.

“Above all things have fervent love for one another.” — 1 Peter 4:8

Healing From Past Offense

If you’ve been caught in skandalon before, there is no condemnation.

Healing begins when:

• You acknowledge the offense
• You release the judgment
• You invite God to soften your heart

God restores movement when hearts reopen.

Final Encouragement

Skandalon is not about weakness—it’s about awareness.

The enemy knows that if he can get you offended,

he can get you distracted.

If he gets you distracted,

he can slow your destiny.

But the trap loses power once it is seen.

Choose freedom over being right.

Choose love over offense.

Choose movement over stagnation.

“Blessed is the one who is not offended.” — Matthew 11:6

Self-Examination Guide: Identifying and Breaking the Trap of Skandalon

Purpose: This guide is designed to help you discern if offense is hindering your spiritual growth, relationships, and destiny. Use it prayerfully, honestly, and without self-condemnation.

Step 1: Examine Your Heart for Offense

Reflect on your responses over the past week or month:

1. Do you feel easily irritated or hurt by what people say or do?
2. Are there situations where you feel justified in being angry or resentful?
3. Do you find yourself replaying conflicts in your mind, even when the person hasn’t addressed them?
4. Are there people whose behavior you consistently expect to disappoint you?
5. Do you notice your love growing cold toward someone who has wronged you, even subtly?

Scripture Reflection:

“Woe to the world because of offenses, for offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” — Matthew 18:7

Insight: Offense itself is inevitable; the danger is letting it root in your heart.

Step 2: Identify the Source

• Is the offense coming from words, actions, or assumptions about others?
• Are you offended because someone hurt you intentionally or because you felt misunderstood or disrespected?
• Are you holding offense against someone who may have acted out of ignorance, weakness, or fear?

Scripture Reflection:

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1

Insight: Identifying the source helps you respond to the offense wisely rather than react unconsciously.

Step 3: Check for Recurrent Patterns

Ask yourself:

• Is there a specific type of person or situation that consistently triggers offense?
• Do you notice offense keeping you from obedience, prayer, or ministry?
• Has offense caused you to withdraw from God, His people, or your purpose?

Scripture Reflection:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition…” — Colossians 2:8

Insight: Recurrent offense is often a spiritual trap, designed to distract and slow your destiny.

Step 4: Examine Your Reactions

• Do you react immediately with anger, withdrawal, or judgment?
• Do you replay the offense in your mind to justify your response?
• Do you hold grudges or allow the offense to affect your prayers, decisions, or relationships?

Scripture Reflection:

“Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath…” — Ephesians 4:26

Insight: Emotional reaction is natural, but unresolved offense leads to spiritual stagnation.

Step 5: Determine the Root

• Is this offense tied to pride, unmet expectations, fear, or past trauma?
• Are you seeking justice or control instead of forgiveness and release?
• Does the offense feel like it challenges your identity, authority, or worth?

Scripture Reflection:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:17,21

Insight: Root causes often reveal the real target of the trap: your heart, not just the situation.

Step 6: Respond Biblically

1. Acknowledge the offense before God.— Confess any pride, anger, or judgment it stirred in you.
2. Release judgment.
   • Forgive even if reconciliation isn’t possible. In fact, even if the person who offended you has passed. This forgiveness is about you, not them.
   • Forgiveness is freedom, not approval.
3. Replace lies with truth.
   • Identify false beliefs the offense reinforced:
     • “I am not valued” → “God knows my worth”
     • “I must retaliate” → “God is my justice”
4. Pray for the person who offended you.
   • “Lord, bless them. Heal their heart. Protect their soul.”
5. Guard your heart moving forward.
   • Set healthy boundaries.
   • Practice discernment, not defensiveness.

Scripture Reflection:

“Above all things, have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

Step 7: Evaluate Freedom

Ask yourself:

• Do you feel peace instead of lingering tension?
• Can you pray for the person without anger?
• Can you move forward in obedience without carrying the weight of the offense?

Scripture Reflection:

“Blessed is the one who does not stumble because of Me.” — Matthew 11:6

Insight: Freedom is the goal. Not the avoidance of offense, but the ability to walk in love and purpose despite it.

Optional: Daily Check-In

• Morning: Ask God to guard your heart against offense today.
• Evening: Reflect—did offense gain ground? Pray for release if it did.

This guide can also be adapted as a journal template, where readers answer each step with honesty, Scripture, and prayer.

May God bless you as you seek to release yourself of any offence done to you or that you may have done to others.