Responding Rightly to Offence

Offence is an emotional state or response resulting from displeasure, hurt, anger  and outrage, usually caused by the words and actions of people.

Luke 17:1,2 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other

• Offence can activate like witchcraft. 
• Offence is a trap to rob you of your joy,peace and breakthrough.
• Offence is a cancer that destroys ministers, prayer warriors and prophets.

There are two categories of people - the offended and the offenders. Also, offence can either be toward God or toward people. Majority of people usually respond  negatively to an offence, which is explicit in either of the following ways:

• a non- involvement/ non- cooperation mode (tortoise syndrome)
• sustaining hurt, pain, bitterness, etc. 
• avoidance of the entire thing and quitting
• offend and hurt them back (tit for tat)

Having seen some of the negative responses, let’s now consider how one can respond positively to an offence. 

• Deal with yourself
• Forgive the party
• Correct yourself
• Try to improve yourself

Moses and Paul are biblical examples of short-tempered people who evolved into a better and gentle personality over the years due to their fellowship with God. Moses killed the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Another instance is when Moses came down the mountain carrying the tablets of the Ten Commandments and he saw the people dancing around the golden calf. He was angry and he threw the tablets inscribed by the finger of God onto the ground and they shattered. However, later in the Bible we read of Moses that he was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

Some of the epistles that Apostle Paul wrote were too sharp - ‘You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?’ (Galatians 3:1) ‘As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!’ (Galatians 5:12)

This happens with us as well. In many instances, we too become short tempered and explode. But we must improve ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, rather than setting out to make the other person a better one. However, the Word permits to correct a person in love and with the right intention of restoring them.

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

When offended with God, you have two options:

• Negative: Disobey, avoid Bible-reading, avoid fellowship, etc. Many atheists are children of pastors/ priests, because growing up they failed to see their parents living in accordance with their faith/ prayer/ what they preached. 
• Positive: Humble yourself and try to understand what He's trying to tell you so that we can learn precious lessons from those experiences. 

Be it with man or with God, when offended, let’s intentionally respond rightly and thereby glorify God, who’s made His home in us!