Quick…think of something you can do that won’t  “offend” somebody!  Having trouble?  No matter what you do, it seems like there is someone who takes “offense” to your actions -or do they? Perhaps our culture’s tendency to “look out for #1” has caused us to stretch the meaning of the word “offend.”

The dictionary describes the word “offend” as this: “to violate or cause to sin.”  In other words, an “offense” either causes you legitimate harm or causes you to react in a sinful way.

So let’s test this definition with a few common situations:

  1. “John told me that he thinks I need help with my temper.  I’m offended.”
  2. “Sally spoke to everyone in the room except me.  I’m offended.”
  3. “I didn’t like the song the choir sang today.  I’m offended.”

Do any of these situations harm someone or cause them to sin?  Certainly not.  In these cases, “offense” has been confused with “preference.”

But what about situations that deal with moral issues?  Try these situations:

  1. “I can’t believe Ed said a curse word when he hit his thumb with the hammer.  I’m offended.”
  2. “Did you know Jenny ate at a restaurant that serves alcohol?  I’m offended.”

In these two cases, nobody has been harmed or caused to sin.  Here “offensive behavior” has been confused with “questionable behavior.”

Let’s try again:

  1. “My husband left my children and me.  I’m offended.”
  2. “Bill has slandered my name in the community.  I’m offended.”
  3. “Kelly gave drugs to my daughter before she passed out.  I’m offended.”

Here we finally have instances that could legitimately offend.  Each situation can either harm someone or cause them to sin.

One more quick thought on the issue: Not only must we be careful as believers to not offend, but we must also be careful not to be offended!  In other words, we must grow some thick skin.  Nobody likes to hear a crybaby fuss about getting their feelings hurt -and it certainly isn’t glorifying to God.   By the way, its not always wrong to offend.  After all, scripture says that the gospel is an offense to unbelievers!

So let’s all take a deep breath and reconsider what really offends us.  And likewise, don’t let our culture’s “overactive” demeanor stress you out.  It is good to be sensitive. However, if we are constantly looking over our shoulder in fear that we might offend someone, we will never do anything for the kingdom!

Did that offend you?