bible study on being offended

We may be offended when someone has been inconsiderate or thoughtless or has used us for their own purposes. Is there anyone who hasnt been hurt at one time or another by the words of others? The apostles also weigh in on the subject. Our words "scandal" and "scandalize" come directly from these Greek words. O Sin in the hearts of people produces a resentful, irritated, upset response whenever they hear what they don't want to hear. In our relationships with others, James cautions us to communicate carefully. trespass, apostatize, quarrel:offend, rebel, revolt, transgress (-ion, -or). Flee from sexual immorality. Are You Easily Offended? I could choose to accept it with goodwill toward these sisters and lean on my Savior who has called me his friend, or I could get tough hard as nails like an unyielding strong city whose gates have been shut and whose pride has locked out the offending parties. Interestingly, the five English forms of "offense" given above are translated from a total of twenty-four different words in both testaments. All rights reserved. In this instance, Jesus calls us to rejoice and anticipate a reward in Heaven! Were more realistic about life among ordinary sinners who, like us, love poorly and wiser about what to take seriously, and what to completely ignore. Luke 6:22-23 ESV Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Notice, if we come to see that His law expresses both His will and His character, then we will understand that there is a higher and eternal purpose for life. The Bible has a lot to say about being offended, offending others, and the grudges that sometimes result. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended (John 16:1, King James Version). From our vantage point, it isnt too hard to see that when Jesus challenges their view of reality, hes always right. And how does the Bible say you should react to it? We can learn to respond as redemptively as possible, as opposed to reacting selfishly and self-righteously. And I believe so strongly that the enemy of our souls would love for us to stay offended and divided. At other times we may be offended and carry a resentment against another for the rest of our lives. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord's battles. We begin to believe that the log in our eye is a bigger issue than the speck in anyone elses eye (Matthew 5:3842). So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. The greatest heroes in The Bible faced long periods of wrestling with God with significant offense to overcome. Skandalon was the trigger of a trap on which bait is placed. The ways to become offended are myriad. Rather than slow down and give our rational minds a chance to inform our wildly thumping hearts, we let our feelings inform our response. 1. Pray against future offense attacks Books On Overcoming Offense: It can be tempting to store the incident in our mind and allow resentment to grow. He offends Pharisees and scribes. This can prevent offending others as well as help believers overlook unintentional insults. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. The Hebrew word translated "love" in verse 165 is ahab. Why will you still be struck down? Yes. Jesus calls us to be foot washers, not doormats. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. God's response to our love is plainly stated in His Word. These accounts also show real, human response to offense and we can learn from them. We will strive to discover ways of using His advice in our lives. All Rights Reserved. We can see their blind spots and pride and how that pride makes them easily offended. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He shows us how to prioritize what is important in relation to His Kingdom. This principle applies to just about any sin a person can commit. Pastor John traces a key distinction between godly and ungodly praise. for your sins and your ancestors' sins," says the Lord. But Paul repeats the sentiment in Romans 12:14, 17, and 1921, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Repay no one evil for evil. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath. [I]f your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.. What NOT to Say When Someone Is Suffering, Learning From Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, 6 Biblical Ways to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable, Life and Death Are in the Power of the Tongue. Weve died to ourselves, our life is now lived with and for God. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. Even when we dont gain our brother by going to him, we dont have to live in our offended state; we can lay that down at the cross. Likewise, our words and actions may arouse these feelings in others. How did He respond? God asks Adam why he disobeyed. Christs teachings are more than a religionthey are the true Way to life. Read full chapter Matthew 23 Matthew 25 King James Version (KJV) In this verse from the book of wisdom, we are reminded that offense and quarreling are closely related and neither are a wise use of our time or energy. Or we become offended when we are blamed for something we did not do, or on the other hand, when we do not receive credit for what we did do. A good relationship with God does not insure that offenses will always be easy to deal with. Being offended is a choice made by us. Are You Too Easily Offended? | Today's Christian Woman We write easy-to-read, accessible answers to commonly asked questions, and provide sound resources for those looking to deepen their understanding of the Word. 17. I really didnt want her to worry about it. Psalm 119:165 in the KJV reads, "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them." If we allow it to go this far without repentance, offense can have eternal consequences. Jesus reminded them that even to be in the Kingdom, one has to have a humble attitude of a servant. We arent shocked that the Pharisees or the hometown crowd are resentful and outraged by his superior understanding and his mighty deeds. But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. Unlike love, pride is "touchy and fretful." With this understanding, the psalmist wrote: Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119:165, KJV). Blessing those who curse us and doing good to those who hate us is a tall order (an idiom meaning something that is difficult to do)! Answer Trying to not take offense is like trying to not think about elephants. U Pay attention to yourselves! I let her know that my plate was full with doctors appointments and kids activities. Recalcitrant. "Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you" (Ecclesiastes 7:21). John the Baptist, Jesus cousin, dies an ignoble death in prison. Take the time to pray through the situations in which you are feeling hurt. Proverbs 9:7-9 ESV Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. It is wise to think through our words and responses rather than react based on the emotion in the moment or speak in a careless way. Conviction, according to the Bible, is a good thing. Why? Praise the Lord! Yes. "Because they burned incense on the mountains and offended me on the hills, I will punish them in full measure." NET. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. We can have the good sense to be slow to anger. We might wish that everyone liked us and spoke highly of us all the time, but that is unrealistic. When we have grown to this point, we will see our offenders through the eyes, as it were, of the One who so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. Lesson 57: Why Jesus Hates Legalism (Luke 11:37-54) My sense of where I fit in with others was challenged in a painful way. Skandalon is used by Jesus three times in Matthew 18:7: "Woe to the world because of offenses! In 1 Peter 2, Jesus is called the cornerstone for those who believe but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for those do not believe. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.. Bible verses about Offending People. And why did he murder him? There is more than insecurity and fragility underneath our proclivity to take up an offense, although those problems are constantly feeding it. Jesus himself offended people to the point that they crucified him. Write them down and ask God to show you if its hurt or offense. Looking around, it can seem like life has been unfair, unnecessarily difficult, and as if everything has conspired against you. Abigail Dodds is a wife, mother of five, and graduate of. (Galatians 2:20) We may grieve our loss, but we dont cry for ourselves, but for those who hurt us who dont know how to love. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. But what about when there is no intentional or discernible sin? Offended people can become unassailable. The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hes here to help us sort through both. As Christians, we are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). 3. J a. Jesus states his mission is to proclaim liberty to captives, (Luke 4:18). 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? (John 6:52-66). No one can go through life without having to face personal criticism of some type in some way. What Does The Bible Say About Being Offended? And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the Law? Forgive the other person/persons 4. My wife and I just returned from an awesome eight-night holiday in one of our favorite spots in the world the little village of Iseltwald, nestled on the Lake of Brienz, ten kilometers from Interlaken, Switzerland. There is a better way to do things." Notice verse 39: "But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." He is asked to leave. I tried to navigate the moment, relieving the tension by telling her not to worry about it. But let Him vindicate you, waiting for His miracle, His work as you press forward in faith, trusting. Offended people can become unassailable. When were hurt by someone elses words or actions, its tempting to try to protect ourselves with anger or self-righteousness that masquerades as having been offended. But that wasnt what His Father wanted. How To Dismantle A Spirit Of Offense As followers of Jesus, we experience the full range of disappointments and emotions common to all image bearers of God. In the past few months, we have become more isolated than we ever have been. The book of Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom. - Proverbs 18:19 psha, paw-shah'; a primitive root (identical with through the idea of expansion); to break away (from just authority), i.e. The book of Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 says, "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. Proverbs 27:5-6 This you know, my beloved brethren. We do them because we admire, respect and desire to honor Him (I John 4:19). It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Life and relationships have been hard the last several months. James 3:2-12 KJV - For in many things we offend all. If - Bible Gateway Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Surely, it's not a sight you would love to see. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Here, the word "offended" is the same word translated "fall away" in John 16:1. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 9. If we focus on trying not to take offense, we will keep thinking about the offense. And for those who are united to his Son through faith, their offenses against him have been extinguished at the cross. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. In Jesus name I break any curse, any legal grounds, anything working in my life, which may be from my parents and ancestors which causes me to get offended and to offend others. John 16: What's the antidote to being offended by Jesus? Joy from what? How Does the Bible Say We Should Respond to Bitterness? It helps to acknowledge that taking offense is a powerful drug. God asks Adam why he disobeyed. This is addressed in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes. Recalcitrant. Thus, the enticement to go another way holds no attraction. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. But he will not wait forever. When love dominates a person's life, becoming offended either through hurt feelings or a strong temptation to sin is remote. 2 For in many things we offend all. Frequently used in the Old Testament, it is found in a wide range of contexts. This is addressed in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes. Hurt requires healing. The Scriptures show us many instances of Jesus causing offense. But may we remember today, God is the God of the hurt heart and the offended heart. He does not stipulate whether one is the direct cause through persuasion or flaunted worldliness, or indirectly through one's manner of life. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. Hurt happens to us. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. We can become gloriously unoffendable. We are all on edge, and rightly so many of our lives have been upended. They had been thinking of the same request because in their vanity they thought they deserved special consideration too. We become irritated when our vanity is hurt. Their outraged rhetoric seems to know no bounds. They hadfour children and 14 grandchildren. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Helpful Free Wi-Fi on your flight faithfully delivers feedback emails including constructive criticism about your last sermon and preaching attire, your redneck sounding accent, and your lack of late-night accessibility? Jesus came to die for the sins of humankind, so He had to go through it all (see Matthew 26:51-54). Here are six foundational truths every parent must instill in their children when it comes to valuing others. ), and his glory is to overlook a transgression. The smart thing to do is reign in our anger, and overlook someones offensive comments. But may we remember today, God is the God of the hurt heart and the offended heart. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. But when I prayed about them, the Holy Spirit stirred my soul with a question , Nicki, are you hurt, or are you offended?. He works to build our patience and generosity of spirit. God doesnt accept or receive Cains sacrifice. D We all need to realize this. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. Joy in overlooking offenses? And we rarely take the time to sort through them, which leads us to feel all kinds of issues in our relationships. We can follow the instructions of our Lord and go to that person directly in the hopes of gaining our brother (Matthew 18:15). You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field. Jesus said that those who attempt to make peace instead of retaliating in anger would be blessed: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Each of these translations clearly catches the essence of why so many are so easily moved from mere irritation to resentment and bitter anger, which in turn leads to retaliation. We cant control others, so what can we do if they dont recognize their offense? P God will always be most glorified in us when we are most satisfied, joyful, at peace, and free in him. That is not our human nature. We must learn to handle slander, reviling and offenses as a Christian should, without anger or the desire for revenge. Nicole is a wife and mother of four children. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). The Holy Spirit also leads us into a greater experience of our sonship (Romans 8:1517), which gives us even greater joy in seeing our Father at work in all things for our good even in the most off-putting, irritating, and offensive scenarios (Romans 8:28). If you require more immediate assistance please visit our Contact Us page. .it will cause you to break your focus. How to Overlook an Offense He kills Abel. Matthew 24:10-13. If a man loves a woman, he is devoted to her. Obviously, the context in Matthew 18:7 is moral. Proverbs 19:11 instructs: The discretion (intelligence, wisdom, prudence) of a man makes him slow to anger (ever hear of counting to ten? Love does not do any of those things. What the Bible says about Offenses, Dealing with And he said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. But Jesus said that if that were the way to go, He could call down thousands of powerful angels to strike His adversaries! Wrestle with offense, placing it at the feet of God. All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. God doesn't accept or receive Cain's sacrifice. I remember the flush of embarrassment that came to my face as I realized that my friend was letting me know I hadnt been invited to be a part of the group of women she was meeting with regularly and not by accident. Wow! The one who is offended by Jesus is at risk of falling away from Jesus. Offense can lead to bitterness and hatred. 4. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, I repent, you must forgive him. The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith! For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12). You don't get invited to a party that everyone else you know is going to. And finally, I had a frustrating conversation with someone I work with professionally, and it was creating tension between us. She is a freelance writer based in a quiet coastal town in South Africa where she worships at a local Bible-believing church. . For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox. For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. The Bible reveals the elusive way of peace. - James 1:19-20 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV). Proverbs 18:19 says, A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city. What horrible strength there is in taking up an offense! Taking the time to sort through this has helped me know how to move forward, one step at a time. Lets find out more. When we turn hurt feelings into offendedness, we go from vulnerable to impenetrable. (Hebrews 11:6). Because this world is unknowingly following Satan, the present ruler of this world, those who live differently by following the teachings of Christ will sometimes be looked down on, even despised. Cain is angry with God for not taking his sacrifice. God humbles us and gives us His love through the Spirit, giving us the power to override the desires of the flesh to exalt itself. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. First, remember that when others are offensive in a truly sinful way, their offense is against God first and foremost. Proverbs 18:19 ESV A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. Hypocrisy may very well tempt others to sin more than outright atheism! Consider this example from the Bible. Everything another person says that we disagree with is a devilish opportunity for taking up an offense. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. In other verses he adds delight, understanding and wisdom. 11:4-6). . Hurt happens to us. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. But all these things they will do to you for My names sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me (John 15:20-21). But how did he kill the root Someone may need our forgiveness. Are you so foolish? The one who is offended by Jesus is at risk of falling away from Jesus. The Bible teaches not to bear grudges and ignore insults against us in Proverbs 12:16 and Leviticus 19:18. Jesus' concern is the sin of being the temptation or enticement that causes others to sin. The psalmist writes in verse 49, "Remember the word to your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope." 10. The best defense against offense is a healthy and growing relationship with God. But certainly it can be unpleasant to hear that someone has spoken critically of us. According to the Oxford dictionary, to be offended is to be resentful or annoyed, usually as a result of a perceived insult.
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