“It is impossible that no offenses should come…”
Luke 17:1 NKJV
One thing Jesus never promised us was a life free from offense. In fact, in Luke 17:1, He said quite the opposite. It is impossible for offenses not to come. The question, therefore, is not whether we will be offended, but how we will respond when it comes.
As believers, our response matters. The world is always watching to see what we will do. In the same way they brought the woman caught in adultery before Jesus to test Him (Jhn. 8:3–6), and later asked Him about paying taxes in an attempt to trap Him (Matt. 22:15–22), the world often watches believers with the same intent. They step on our toes and pay attention to see whether we will react in a way that contradicts the Christ we profess.
But before I get into the message of the day, let me clarify that there is a balance to all of this. Some believers wrongly assume that Christianity calls us to endure everything in silence, even to the point of ridicule, or that expressing anger is always sinful. That is not what Scripture teaches. Rather, it says, “Be angry, and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26 NKJV). Anger itself is not the problem. The danger is what anger can produce if left unchecked. It has provoked people to speak evil, destroy relationships, seek revenge, kill, and poorly represent the character of Christ. If we must become angry, we must be careful not to slip into error.
The Apostle Paul demonstrated this balance well. When he suffered persecution for preaching the gospel, he accepted it as part of what he must endure for Christ’s sake. But when he was unlawfully beaten without trial, he did not pretend it was acceptable. Instead, he appealed to his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35–39; Acts 22:25–29). He addressed the injustice firmly, yet without bitterness or vengeance. He defended what was right without allowing offense to lead him into sin. I digress.
Moses reminds us how dangerous it is to allow offense to govern our actions. After years of leading a people who constantly complained and rebelled, he became angry when they again murmured for water. He found it offensive that after all the signs that he and God had shown in the past, the Israelites would still act in that manner. So when God instructed him to speak to the rock, he struck it instead, out of frustration (Num. 20:7–12). His anger led him into disobedience, and because of that moment, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. The offense itself was real, but his response carried consequences. It is a sobering reminder that even justified frustration must remain under God’s control.
So how do we guard ourselves against offense?
The best counterattack against offense is often a good defense. Scripture tells us to “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23 NKJV). We must be careful about the things we repeatedly expose ourselves to if they continually stir anger, resentment, bitterness, or unnecessary strife. It is easy to say, “Do not sin when you are angry,” but anger rarely appears suddenly. Many times, it begins with repeated exposure to situations that gradually cultivate offense. Prevention is often better than cure. Where wisdom allows, it is better to avoid unnecessary occasions for offense than to constantly battle its consequences.
There are offenses we, however, cannot avoid. People will disappoint us. They will misunderstand us, betray us, speak against us, and sometimes deliberately try to provoke us. In those moments, one of the best ways to overcome offense is to forgive in advance.
By this, I do not mean pretending people have done nothing wrong. Rather, it is settling it in your heart beforehand that because people are imperfect, you have already chosen forgiveness as your response whenever offense comes. In a sense, you have decided, “I know people may hurt me, but I refuse to allow that hurt to rule my heart.”
Joseph beautifully represents this mindset. Even while his brothers were still trying to explain themselves and seek forgiveness, Joseph interrupted them, saying, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20 NKJV). He had already surrendered the offense to God and was able to see God’s hand where others only saw betrayal.
Even more wonderfully, this is exactly what God did for us. Before we realized we had offended Him, before we knew the depth of our sin, He had already made provision for our forgiveness through Christ (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 1:7). For me, this has been one of the greatest motivations to keep forgiving others—the immeasurable grace God first extended to a sinner like me.
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense
Proverbs 19:11 NIV.
Moreover, Scripture encourages us to cultivate a heart that is difficult to offend. In Proverbs 19:11, we are encouraged to extend patience and overlook minor offenses. Sometimes people offend us simply because they want a reaction. Choosing not to give them one is probably the strongest response we can make.
This is especially important when dealing with unbelievers. If we say we love as Christ loved, then we must remember that “love… is not easily provoked” (1 Cor. 13:4–5 NKJV). It keeps no record of wrongs. It remains patient and kind even when faced with harsh words, false accusations, and even deliberate provocation. We must become people who are difficult to offend. Perhaps through our gentleness, patience, and perseverance, some may even be won over to Christ.
As stones rained down upon Stephen, he had every opportunity to pronounce judgment upon those killing him. Instead, he prayed, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:60 NKJV). He chose grace over revenge. Like his Master before him, he looked beyond the offense and saw people acting in ignorance (Lk. 23:34).
Above all, Jesus remains our perfect example. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, while He was being wrongfully arrested, He refused to allow His disciples to respond violently. When Peter cut off the servant’s ear, Jesus immediately healed him (Lk. 22:50–51). On the cross, He prayed for those crucifying Him. He was never ruled by offense. His response was always governed by grace.
Offenses will come. Jesus promised they would. But may they never find a home in our hearts. Instead, may we guard our hearts diligently, forgive freely, overlook where wisdom permits, confront matters with righteousness, extend grace, and respond in a manner that glorifies Christ always.
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