What Does the Bible Say About Offense?
Offense is a common experience for many Christians. It’s a feeling of hurt, anger, or resentment that can arise when we perceive that someone has wronged us or not treated us as we think we deserve. But what does the Bible say about offense? Is it a sin to be offended? Should we try to avoid it altogether? In this article, we’ll explore the biblical perspective on offense and provide practical guidance on how to handle it.
What is Offense?
Before we dive into the biblical perspective on offense, let’s define what it is. Offense is a feeling of hurt, anger, or resentment that arises when we perceive that someone has wronged us or not treated us as we think we deserve. It’s a natural human response to perceived injustice or mistreatment. However, the Bible teaches us that offense is not always a justified response to a situation.
The Bible’s View on Offense
The Bible has a lot to say about offense, and its perspective is often counterintuitive to our natural human response. Here are some key biblical teachings on offense:
- Offense is a choice (Matthew 11:28-30): Jesus teaches us that we have a choice when it comes to offense. We can choose to be offended or we can choose to forgive and move on.
- Offense is not always justified (Matthew 5:23-24): The Bible teaches us that we should not take offense when someone wrongs us unless we are willing to first examine our own hearts and make sure we are not the ones who are wrong.
- Offense can lead to sin (1 Corinthians 10:32): When we are offended, we can easily fall into sin. We may become bitter, resentful, or even violent towards the person who has wronged us.
- Forgiveness is the key to overcoming offense (Matthew 6:14-15): Forgiveness is the key to overcoming offense. When we forgive, we release the person who has wronged us from our anger and resentment, and we release ourselves from the burden of carrying that offense.
Types of Offense
There are different types of offense, and the Bible addresses each one differently. Here are some examples:
- Perceived offense (Matthew 13:53-58): This type of offense arises when we perceive that someone has wronged us, but may not have actually done so.
- Real offense (Matthew 18:21-22): This type of offense arises when someone has actually wronged us and we feel hurt, angry, or resentful as a result.
- Unintentional offense (Matthew 18:21-22): This type of offense arises when someone has unintentionally wronged us and we feel hurt, angry, or resentful as a result.
How to Handle Offense
So, how do we handle offense in a biblical way? Here are some practical tips:
- Take a step back and examine your heart (Matthew 5:23-24): Before reacting to the situation, take a step back and examine your own heart. Are you the one who is wrong?
- Forgive (Matthew 6:14-15): Forgiveness is the key to overcoming offense. When we forgive, we release the person who has wronged us from our anger and resentment, and we release ourselves from the burden of carrying that offense.
- Communicate (Matthew 18:15-17): Communication is key to resolving conflicts and overcoming offense. When we communicate openly and honestly with the person who has wronged us, we can often resolve the issue and move forward.
- Pray (Philippians 4:6-7): Prayer is a powerful tool for overcoming offense. When we pray, we can ask God to help us to forgive and to give us the strength to overcome our anger and resentment.
Conclusion
Offense is a common experience for many Christians, but it’s not always a justified response to a situation. The Bible teaches us that offense is a choice, and that forgiveness is the key to overcoming it. By taking a step back and examining our own hearts, communicating openly and honestly with others, and praying, we can learn to handle offense in a biblical way.
