You’re offended:
But by what?
What is the source of our offenses, or our “offended-ness”?
Today in our modern culture, it’s a very popular concept too declare that we are offended by such and such of belief, a tradition, a value system, a political idea, or religious precept.
The truth be told, our nature (or our natural mindset, our world view) dominates our understanding of this world and predicts how offended we will be by what we encounter in it.
“Most Offences” come from mainly one of two sources:
- God: (unbelievers typically are offended by God, and the things pertaining to his kingdom.)
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- The Kingdom of Light, the Holiness of His Presence, Heaven,
- Satan: (believers or followers of God, should predictably be offended by the kingdom of darkness and the things that promote and sustain and empower it.)
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- The Kingdom of Darkness, the Presence of Evil, Hell,
One Kingdom POV (point of view) will be irksome, the other will be pleasant. One will be attractive, the other offensive. One will capture your imagination, the other will repel you.
When you’re running after the kingdom of darkness, you’re literally running away from the kingdom of light.
19 And this is the condemnation, that:
Light is come into the world, and
- men loved darkness rather than light,
- because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,
- neither cometh to the light,
- lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,
that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God.
People often get offended by what they don’t understand, and/or what they have been falsely taught. Thus, they are prejudiced by their own false understanding.
Introduction
Many people become offended by teachings in the Bible, especially when they do not fully understand God’s law, His justice, His love, His kingdom, and the work of the Holy Spirit. This presentation explores how misunderstanding or lack of knowledge leads to offense, using coordinated KJV scriptures for each theme.
1. People Get Offended by What They Don’t Understand
Main Point: Offense often arises from misunderstanding or lack of spiritual insight.
- Matthew 13:21
“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”
Key Thought: Shallow understanding leads to offense when difficulties come1. - Matthew 15:12
“Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”
Key Thought: Even religious leaders are offended by truths they do not grasp1. - 1 Peter 2:8
“And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
Key Thought: Christ and His word are a stumbling block to those who do not believe2.
2. God’s Law: Misunderstood and a Cause for Offense
Main Point: God’s law reveals sin and our need for grace, but misunderstanding it can provoke offense.
- James 2:10
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Key Thought: The law’s standard is perfection; failing in one point is failing in all3. - Romans 3:20
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Key Thought: The law exposes sin, not self-righteousness4. - Romans 6:15
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”
Key Thought: Grace does not abolish the moral standard of God’s law4.
3. God’s Justice: Perfect, Yet Often Offends Human Sensibilities
Main Point: God’s justice is perfect, but it may seem harsh or unfair to those who do not understand His holiness.
- Deuteronomy 32:4
“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
Key Thought: God defines justice; He cannot be unjust5. - Psalm 89:14
“Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”
Key Thought: God’s justice is inseparable from His mercy5. - Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Key Thought: True justice reflects God’s care for the vulnerable5.
4. God’s Love: Unconditional, Yet Misunderstood
Main Point: God’s love is profound and sacrificial, but many are offended by its inclusiveness or by the call to repentance.
- John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Key Thought: God’s love is for all, but not all receive it6. - Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Key Thought: God’s love reaches us at our worst, not our best6. - 1 John 4:8
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Key Thought: To know God is to know love; misunderstanding this leads to offense6.
5. God’s Kingdom: Offense at the Upside-Down Nature
Main Point: The values of God’s kingdom often contradict worldly values, causing offense.
- Matthew 11:6
“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
Key Thought: Jesus’ message offends those who expect a different kind of kingdom1. - Matthew 21:42-44
“The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner… Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
Key Thought: Christ’s kingdom is built on what the world rejects2.
6. The Work of the Holy Spirit: Offense Through Conviction and Transformation
Main Point: The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and leads to truth, which can be offensive to those unwilling to change.
- John 16:8
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
Key Thought: The Spirit’s conviction is uncomfortable but necessary. - Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Key Thought: The Spirit produces godly character, which may contrast with worldly desires4.
Conclusion
Offense arises when people encounter truths in God’s Word that challenge their understanding, values, or way of life. The solution is not to avoid these truths but to seek understanding through humility, study, and openness to the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (Matthew 11:6)1.
Summary Table
|
Theme |
Key Scripture (KJV) |
Main Point |
| Offense & Understanding | Offense from lack of understanding | |
| God’s Law | Law exposes sin; misunderstanding offends | |
| God’s Justice | God’s justice is perfect, not always understood | |
| God’s Love | God’s love is unconditional, yet misunderstood | |
| God’s Kingdom | Kingdom values offend worldly expectations | |
| Holy Spirit | Spirit’s conviction can offend |
Key Thought: Seek understanding, not offense, when faced with challenging truths in Scripture.