Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe unto that man by whom the offense comes! Matthew 18:7
Yeshua (Jesus) Said here that in "the world" offenses will come. The problem every Believer faces is in knowing how to deal with offenses when they do come, for they will surely come, because Yeshua said they will!
THE CAUSES OF OFFENSE
The word in Greek for "offense" is skandalon; where we get the English word "scandal". It can have the meaning of "bait set in a trap" which when taken, causes one to be caught.
Offenses can come for many reasons. They can be assumed, imagined or actual. They can be caused by lusts, hatred, wrath, doubt, envy, strife, anger, jealousy, prejudice, vindictiveness, contentions, ill-willed debates, real or imagined abuse, covenant-breaking, selfishness, cruelty, meanness, hard-heartedness, rivalry, deliberately ignoring others, cruelty, accusations, betrayal, gossip, slander, maligning, backbiting, bringing a stumbling block, unfaithfulness, treachery or any perceived disagreement or "slight".[1] It can also include "one-upsmanship" and boasting.
Scripture says:
...debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of G-d... Romans 1:29
It classes those that do offenses with ones who actually hate G-d![2]
SPECIFIC PROPHECY GIVEN BY YESHUA TO JEWISH BELIEVERS
These things have I Spoken to you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does G-d service. John 16:1,2
Yet for all offenses G-d Makes a Way of escape.
...but G-d is Faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation, also make a Way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13b
There is the temptation to be offended. Do not allow self to respond to it or receive it.[3]
HIGH ALERT! OFFENSES AHEAD!
As we have seen above, offenses will come so what should we do and how do we deal with them when we are once made aware of they appear? Here is what the Apostle Paul said to do:
Brethren, if any man be taken is a fault, ye which are Spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness: considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Galatians 6:1
Offenses can be a dangerous thing. Great care must be taken to keep oneself from offending while teaching. The Spiritual man that has Matured and been excersized in Understanding and keeping himself apart from offenders and offenses must also teach others about this. This is especially important in the Assemblies where offenses can rise up very quickly. Marriages, friendships and every area of life are included in this.
The spirit of meekness coupled with Correct Teaching in this area will alleviate and eliminate this and break the Cycle of offenses for good. Be careful to not offend more those that may be already offended. This is not always easy and may take a bit of practice.
All of us, in one way or another, have been touched by offenses. We must consider these things past. Look at them in a new way now. Teaching Correct Principles in this area once we have recognized and ceased from these things is of tremendous benefit to all.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF OFFENSES
Yeshua said to not be offended in these things. Know that offenses will come, and do not be enticed to either receive or return offense.
...forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:13
Offenses are carried from one person to another, even from one family to another, or even one race to another. The list is almost limitless![4] They can be generationally passed on. Taking offense can rob you of your Blessings. Refusing to take offense, breaking the cycle of offense, will bring Blessings to you.
If you have been offended in the past or if anyone has sinned against you, you are to completely forgive that person their offense. If you forgive fully, you will also be forgiven your offenses.
If we do not forgive everyone their offenses against US neither will the Father forgive OUR offenses.
FALSE "OFFENSE"
The Word of G-d is said to sometimes "offend" those in error and the foolish. Scripture says:
The words of the wise are as goads. Ecclesiastes 12:11
False offenses can be imagined as a result false teaching. If one has been exposed to the false Love Gospel or the false Feelings Gospel for instance, even "well-meaning persons" may imagine offenses and proceed to accuse others where there are none, because they are going by a false teaching, false interpretations and their emotions. They may indeed be "sincere", but in this case unfortunately, they are sincerely wrong. These type persons will attempt to make others "feel guilty" when no violation of G-ds' Moral Law (I John 3:4) has actually ever occurred!
These ones elevate "fleshly compassion" or "caring" for instance, instead of directing persons toward The Way into G-ds' Kingdom. G-ds' Kingdom to them is everyone simply "feeling good" (which they sometimes call "the love of Jesus") or "getting along on an emotional level". They have totally missed The Way of True Divine Love however.
THIS DIFFERS FROM THE ANGRY MAN
Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:24,25
BEING ENERGIZED BY OFFENSES
People in "the world" can be energized by offenses and attempt to cause others to also be energized by them. The world contains all manner of offenses. His Kingdom does not contain even one. Those that have been offended in the past and have not obeyed the Scripture to forgive everyone everything they have ever done against them may not want to do that. Offenses energize and even motivate their flesh, cause sympathy from others, and give them "status" as someone who has been "given a raw deal". They may even blame G-d. They just do not want to give up being offended. Offenses appear to "give real new meaning to their lives" and they become "important". They can seek to cause others to "take the bait" of their unforgiven offense which they have suffered in "the world" and dwell on offenses instead of what Scripture clearly says to do.
The real issue is to preach complete forgiveness to these ones who store up offenses, Announce to them the Reality of G-ds' Kingdom wherein all offenses and the curse will be removed if they "forgive and forget".
Others may participate in "trading offenses" but wait until a certain "offense point of no return" has been reached so they can freely "give themselves permission" to excersize unforgiveness. They then feel "self-justified" in being cruel or "punishing" those that have "reached the offense limit" against them. The Cycle can never broken by this, but is reinforced unstead.
IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO REMOVE OFFENSES FROM YOUR LIFE? WHAT DID THE APOSTLE PAUL SAY?
And herein do I excersize myself, to have always a Conscience void of offense toward G-d, and [toward] men. Acts 24:16
The Conscience is what comes under attack by offenses. Our enemy the devil "goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" and offenders and offended ones are ones he seeks. Through them he can operate. Those that give or receive the offense become subject to the forces of darkness and do his bidding. Be not deceived! Offenses can pop up in the most unexpected places from the most unexpected people! Do something good instead. "Repay evil with good."
Remember: expect offenses; but do not be tempted and entangled any more to rise to the bait and take them to yourself, and don't give them either. Stand Fast and break the cycle of offenses and remove yourself from the curse that goes with it, and by so doing, be Blessed Exceedingly!
THE EVENTUAL JUDGMENT OF OFFENDERS
The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity. Matthew 13:41
And Blessed is he that shall not be offended in Me. Luke 7:23
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FOOTNOTES
[1
Other sorts of "marriages" can be just "relationships". Sometimes in a relationship there is an "idyllic" period of time where all is as "a honeymoon". This is called the period of Falling in Love or "being in love". They may have been assured these "feelings" would "last forever" and there will never be anything that stops it. If they should become offended by something they may terminate the relationship rather than applying the Doctrine we have learned. Because "the flesh" is automatically outraged by offenses, whatever "pushes their buttons" or "gets their goat" will cause them many times to develop "Give-Up-Itis" and find it easier to "give up and run away". Such ones will never find the "perfect and ideal relationship" they are seeking because Yeshua said offenses will come, and they cannot cope. They are still going by "the flesh", and have simply never Spiritually learned what the New Testament clearly says about how to effectively deal with offenses using all the Resources at the Believers' Command.
The Apostle James said:
This should give us some clue as to what we all up against!
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? James 3:11
Here the Apostle James reveals there is a much better Way. With "the flesh", this is impossible.
What starts as a simple offense can bring bitterness, retaliation, revenge, which can lead to senseless killing or war. There are ones that remain in a continual mindset of high sensitivity to being offended. Insecure people imagine offenses. Certain types of people can exalt others publically, but practice "verbal assassination" privately.
Will you be an assistant or an assassin? Or will you associated with assistants or assassins? Or have you been around those that practice "Give-Up-Itis" as another technique in dealing with offenses? Learn to know how your associates, family and friends deal with oiffenses, for those with whom you associate you could soon be like!
Behaviour "of the world" should not be found as a lifestyle among any of His Elect. We are Commanded to "come out from among them and be ye separate". We are not to be any longer "of the world" but of His Kingdom where those who have a lifestyle of offending others are not to be found.
Because of Masochism some can also subconsciously seek offense and to to offend others and bring on even more offenses; be aware of that also. These types of offensive behaviour do not represent His Kingdom in any way.
These types of habitual offenders and unrepentant types will usually not remain within a True Assembly for long after their behaviour is identified.
[2
Watch and see how they deal with real offenses when they arise, for:
[3
Nearly all of the main "comedians" and "comediennes" today as well as "media personalities" and "actors and actresses" are experts or "top dog" at offensive "put-downs" and may draw large salaries for their routines.
[4
Raw offensiveness is then passed on to the whole congregation as they say "a big amen" as they sit spellbound and take the "ministers'" bait and become incensed and offended. The cycle is passed on without anyone hardly noticing!
We should all consider this:
This verse teaches us to avoid self-serving persons who have little or no real regard for others. Their actions can be seen to be based upon selfishness and self-interest.
Do not be persuaded that their ways are any kind of good. Learn to recognize the offensive and the offender by their lack of forgiveness. Do not take the bait, stop the Cycle and the curse; take time to teach them these things and become Greatly Blessed!
Here is a page we wrote in 1999 on Offenses.
Arndt and Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Chicago, Illinois. Cambridge at the University Press. 1952.
Huch, Pastor Larry. Take No Offense. 6 Tape Audio Series.
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