The Bait of Satan: The Deadly Trap of Offense

Dr. Chris Stroble / Published August 13, 2025

Anyone who has trapped animals knows a trap needs one of two things to be successful. It must be hidden, in the hope that an animal will stumble upon it, and it must be baited to lure the animal into the trap’s deadly jaws.

John Bevere in The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense, writes that Satan, the enemy of our soul, along with his cohorts, does the same—uses bait-- to lure Christians away from the will of God. He is not as blatant as many believe. He is subtle and delights in deception. He is shrewd in his operations . . .cunning and crafty. One of his most deceptive and insidious kinds of bait is something every Christian has encountered—offense. 

Offense

Offense itself is not deadly—if it stays in the trap. But if we pick it up and consume it and feed on it in our hearts, then we have become offended. Offended people produce much fruit, such as hurt, anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are insults, attacks, wounding, division, separation, broken relationships, betrayal, and backsliding.

He writes that often those who are offended do not even realize they are trapped. They are oblivious to their condition because they are so focused on the wrong that was done to them. They are in denial. The most effective way for the enemy to blind us is to cause us to focus on ourselves.

In The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense, Bevere exposes this deadly trap and reveals how to escape its grip and stay free from it. Freedom from offense is essential for every Christian because Jesus said, “It is impossible to live this life and not have the opportunity to be offended (Luke 17:1).

Bitterness Under the Surface

I bought this book years ago. I purchased it from the Christian bookstore because I was dealing with some difficult emotions. Recently I noticed I was holding some bitterness under the surface, so I picked it back up. Re-reading it, I was reminded of the healing power of reading a book. I see why it has sold over 1.7M copies worldwide. 

I was comforted by Bevere’s explication of the story of Joseph and how his dream becoming a nightmare was part of God’s process for Joseph. This realization helped me understand the reason behind why let go of bitterness. Behind the problem and pain, God had a purpose. It was, as PJ Morton reminds us, All in His Plan.

Refusing to Let Go of The Offense

In the final few chapters of The Bait of Satan, Bevere discusses the consequences of refusing to let go of offense and how to get free from it. He makes a few points:

Forgiveness: You Don’t Give—You Don’t Get

  • Holding on to an offense leads to unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is like holding a debt against someone. You have heard it said, “He’ll pay for this.”
  • Forgiveness is like the cancellation of a debt. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors".

Satan’s Trap: Revenge

  • When we refuse to forgive, we seek revenge for how we were mistreated.
  • We desire, seek, plan, and carry out our revenge. Revenge is the trap.
  • This is not the way of righteousness (being right in the eyes of God). It is unrighteous for us as children of God to avenge ourselves--- “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” 

Escaping The Trap

  • It takes effort to stay free from offense. Paul compares it to exercising. If we exercise our bodies, we are less prone to injury.
  • Sometimes others offend us, and it is not hard to forgive. We have exercised our hearts so they are in a condition to handle the offense; therefore, no injury or permanent damage results.
  • Some offenses will be more challenging than those for which we’ve been trained. This extra strain may cause a wound or injury after which we will have to exercise spiritually to be free from and healed again. But the result will be worth the effort.

Objective: Reconciliation

  • Reconciliation is the objective: "Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” ---Romans 14:19
  • There is a way to approach a person we have offended. We are to maintain an attitude of pursuing peace through humility at the expense of our pride.
  • We should not go to a brother who has offended us until we have decided to forgive him from our hearts—no matter how he responds to us.
  • We need to get rid of any feelings of animosity toward him before approaching him.

The Bottom Line

  • “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” –Roman 12:18.
  • “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
  • This does not say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” A peacekeeper avoids confrontation at all costs to maintain peace, even at the risk of compromising truth. But the peace he maintains is not true peace. It is a touchy, superficial peace that will not last.
  • A peacemaker will go in love and confront, bringing truth so that the resulting reconciliation will endure.

Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense

Again, anyone who has trapped animals knows a trap needs one of two things to be successful. It must be hidden, in the hope that an animal will stumble upon it, and it must be baited to lure the animal into the trap’s deadly jaws. Satan, the enemy of our soul, along with his cohorts, does the same—uses bait-- to lure Christians away from the will of God. One of his most deceptive and insidious kinds of bait is something every Christian has encountered—offense.

To live free from the deadly trap of offense, we must forgive (forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors). We must avoid the revenge trap (vengeance is mine saith the Lord), and we should seek reconciliation (blessed are the peacemakers; if it is possible, live peaceably with all men).

I needed this reminder recently. Perhaps you do too. If you are holding on to offense, resentment, anger, bitterness----all bait-- John Bevere’s book, The Bait of Satan, will show you how to escape the enemy's trap and live freely. 

Here is a YouTube video of John Bevere explaining trapped in offense: 

Trapped in Offense: Lesson 2 of The Bait of Satan (Joseph's brothers offended and his dream turns into a nightmare).

Always in your corner, 

Dr. Chris