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Offend, Offense Introduction:
Words are powerful vehicles by which we express thoughts and ideas.
Genesis 1 shows us the power of God’s word as He spoke and it was so.
But words can also be misunderstood and cause confusion. I)
Examples A)
Nehemiah 13.24 the problem they were
having in communicating. Again words
have meanings and must be properly understood and used. B)
Some times words are misunderstood because their meaning has changed over time. 1.
Gay has changed from happy to homosexual
a. Philippians 1.27 conversation means to communicate by oral
means. In the time of King
James it meant, manner of life or
conduct.
b. Romans 8.11 quicken means to make alive
c. 1 Corinthians 16.13 quit means to act; hence Paul is telling them to
act like men or to act their age. 2.
The word “blog” did not exist a few years ago 3.
Words can become archaic
a. Romans 11.2 in KJV “wot” means to know.
b. Luke 17.9 trow which rhymes with throw means to think. 4.
In this lesson we want to look at the different uses of the word offend
(offense). II)
Definition a)
Offence or offend 1.
In the Old Testament it is frequently the translation of 'asham, "to be
guilty," "to transgress", Jeremiah
2.3 2.
In New Testament –
a. Skandalon is primarily "a trap-stick," "a bentstick on
which the bait is
fastened which the animal strikes against and so springs the trap,"
hence, it came to denote a "snare," or anything which one
strikes
against injuriously ) Romans 16.17
b. To put a stumbling block before another, James
1.13 B)
Modern usage 1.
To irritate, annoy, or anger Ex. It
offends me to hear people take the Lord’s name in vain. 2.
To affect disagreeably I was
offended by the volume of that music as I could not get to sleep. 3.
To violate or transgress. Genesis
20.8 III)
Bible Usages and Lessons A)
Relating to Jesus 1.
Matthew 15.10-14
a. The disciples were obviously a little concerned.
Were they concerned
that Jesus was causing them to sin? Obviously
not.
b. They were concerned because Jesus was condemning their
traditions that were contradicting God’s Law.
The Pharisees did not like
it but Jesus spoke the truth.
c. People may not like or be
upset by the preaching of the Gospel but
that should not prevent us from preaching the Gospel.
i) Do not misunderstand me, we should not go out of our way
to “offend” people when preaching the truth.
We are to
speak as grace seasoned with salt, Colossians
4.6
ii) But some people will be “offended” no matter how kindly
and lovingly you speak the truth. 2.
Mark 6.3
a. His own family had a problem with the teachings of Jesus.
b. See this later on in John 7.1-5
even His brothers did not believe Him
to be the Messiah. 3.
John 6.60-64
a. Goes back to earlier in this chapter when Jesus tells them they
must partake of His flesh and blood; meaning His teachings.
b. This was a stumbling block before them.
c. See this in 1Corinthians 1.23a. They
had a real problem accepting
a crucified Savior and a spiritual kingdom.
i) Today Jesus is a stumbling block to those that do not accept Him
as the Son of God.
ii) To those that think His teaching is to restrictive
d. Those not offended are those that receive His sayings, Luke
7.23 B)
Relating to causing another to sin 1.
Matthew 18.5-9
a. It is a
serious sin against God to cause another to sin.
This can be by causing another to doubt the Bible.
b. This can be caused by trying to entice another to sin, Matthew
5.28 2.
Romans 14.21
a. We should not entice a person to do something they “think” to be
wrong, for it is a violation of one’s personal conviction, Romans 14.23
b. The solution is to reason with this person and teach them where
they are wrong. For instance; going to a movie theater, not wearing a
burka, having a birthday party. 3.
1 Corinthians 8.13
a. Earlier Paul writes that we, those properly taught and mature,
know there is no such thing as an idol, v.
4
b. But do not use your liberty as a stumbling block to those that have
a problem with eating meat sacrificed to an idol, vv. 9-10
c. Knowledge without love and consideration is a dangerous thing, vv.
11-12. Conclusion:
Many that say they are offended are not being enticed to sin.
They simply don’t like what you are doing or saying.
Some may be “offended” because they reject the truth.
In which case the problem is with them and not you.
Finally, if we do cause another to stumble, sin, then we will be held
accountable. |