Over the past few days, we focused on not taking offense. Today, we will focus on not giving offense. When an offensive comment or action is produced in a situation, one person takes offense, and the other gives offense. Living unoffendable also involves us not giving offense as well.
2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (KJV) says, “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”
Again, we see that a spiritual purpose is attached to Paul’s admonishment about not giving offense. In this case, we should not give offense because we want to reveal Jesus Christ to others. We are ministers of God, and revealing God’s heart or love to others should be at the core of our actions.
Even in difficult circumstances which Paul presented and experienced, the question should be: how can I reveal God in this situation?, or what would Jesus do?
Also, in practice, not giving offense entails treating others the way we want to be treated (Luke 6:31).
Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” We can apply this truth to our perception of living unoffendable.
The ability to not take or give offense is humanly impossible, but all things are possible with God.
Please click here for the Becoming Unoffendable blog series and previous posts on offense
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If the message offends there is nothing I can do. But I can control my actions not causing offense
You are right papa Matt. Some people will take offense even when we do right. Ours is to keep doing good in line with God’s Word. When people feel offended by God’s Word, perhaps their conscience is judging them.