Topical Bible: Offense: Saints Warned Against Taking

◄ Offense: Saints Warned Against Taking ►

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In the Christian faith, the concept of offense is significant, particularly concerning how believers are to respond to offenses and avoid causing them. The Bible provides guidance on how saints should navigate offenses, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

Biblical Warnings Against Taking Offense

1. Forgiveness as a Mandate: The Bible instructs believers to forgive offenses as an essential aspect of Christian living. In Matthew 6:14-15 , Jesus teaches, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This passage underscores the necessity of forgiveness, linking it directly to the forgiveness believers receive from God.

2. Avoiding Bitterness and Resentment: Hebrews 12:15 warns, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." This verse highlights the danger of allowing offense to fester into bitterness, which can disrupt personal peace and communal harmony.

3. Pursuing Peace and Reconciliation: Romans 12:18 advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This instruction encourages believers to actively seek peace and reconciliation, even when offenses occur, reflecting the peace that Christ brings to His followers.

4. The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of how to handle offenses. In 1 Peter 2:23 , it is written, "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Christ's response to offense was one of patience and trust in God's justice, setting a model for believers to emulate.

5. Guarding Against Causing Offense: Believers are also cautioned against causing offense to others. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 , Paul writes, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This passage reminds Christians to be mindful of their actions and how they might affect others, particularly those who are weaker in faith.

6. The Role of Love: Love is central to overcoming offenses. Proverbs 10:12 states, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs, providing a powerful antidote to taking offense.

Practical Application for Believers

Believers are encouraged to apply these biblical principles in their daily lives by practicing forgiveness, seeking reconciliation, and striving to live in peace with others. By doing so, they reflect the character of Christ and contribute to the unity and edification of the church. The warnings against taking offense serve as a reminder of the transformative power of grace and love in the life of a believer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:1
These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... others, [1020]258; a call to have a portion of the Saints in Light ... the spirit,
[1099]ib.; their steadfastness in faith, [1100]281; warned against their notion ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... The entrance of the law made the offense abound, not ... former days faith was dim, for
the saints and righteous ... works of the law, they were warned against them as ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

The American Church on the Eve of the Great Awakening --A General ...
... the authority of Lord Cornbury, for the offense of preaching ... of his work among the
Indians, warned the governor ... They were the saints, and the saints, as we all ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter x the american church.htm

The Augsburg Confession, 1530.
... When warned by Melanchthon of the possible effects of ... more important change which
gave most offense to orthodox ... monastic vows, invocation of saints, faith and ...
/.../ 41 the augsburg confession.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... Many have warned others that they come not to that place ... How much have the saints
of God been employed in ... 1) Maintain your innocency, and walk without offense. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

An American Reformer.
... to the servants of God, the prophets and saints, and them ... and that if they were not
warned, their blood ... employed in maligning those whose only offense was that ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /18 an american reformer.htm

Withholding Corn
... nobody disputed your rights"only you are warned that in ... a scorn among your enemies
and an offense to your ... a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

An American Reformer
... to the servants of God, the prophets and saints, and them ... and that if they were not
warned, their blood ... employed in maligning those whose only offense was that ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 18 an american reformer.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... in Saul, when, in his aversion to the offense of the ... are often found in the writings
of the saints, as when ... On the contrary, He warned them that they would go ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... shortly, [470]251; withdrew often, to avoid offense, and returned ... examples of,
[833]ib.; a war against Christ, [834 ... 954]234; persons guilty of, warned from the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm