There are different types of offense in the Bible. Today I am writing about offense caused by the word or message given.
One example is given in Matthew 15:10-12 “Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” 12 Then the disciples came to Him and said, “Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
The disciples were offended because of the words, the message Jesus gave. His words were in opposition to what their understanding was and what they themselves, the teachers of Israel, were teaching to others.
I have been witness to this myself, with friends, in church, or perhaps with someone you are trying to witness to.
Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself. Have you been offended by Jesus’ message?
Some are quick to take offense, but rather than spend time in the word they throw the message out, kit and kaboodle.
We are called to study the word (2 Tim. 2:15). The words presented to us as words from God need to be confirmed. Study the word for yourself!
My encouragement to you is to seek that confirmation through the Bible, scripture confirms scripture. Spend time with the Lord; ask, seek, and knock. If what has been presented is truth, the word will bear witness in you as your spirit reveals other passages in the Bible that speak the same truth. Meditate on them, just as is said in Psalm 1:2, day and night.
A testimony:
Recently, at church, my husband’s message contained 1 Peter 2:24, which says, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed” [emphasis mine].
A man who has begun attending for the past several months is hearing teaching he never has before. Specifically, regarding healing and that the word reveals it is God’s will for you to have physical healing, as it is in the atonement. He gave this testimony last Sunday morning:
“I’ve heard this scripture before but always thought it meant spiritual healing. I asked God to show me another scripture. The Lord told me to go to my life verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). I said OK, with a question. Then the Lord said, “Keep reading.” “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8).”
Praise the Lord. A man who studied the word for himself. He didn’t get offended because the teaching went against what his understanding was. He wanted to know the truth and he sought it out. The truth was revealed to him!
God always reveals the truth to us when we come with open eyes, ears, and hearts. When we seek, we will find.
