_
Self is clearly on the throne of our hearts.
We sin by nature, by choice, and by habit. And we all offend. We’re sinners and
we all say and do things that offend others. We’re selfish and untrusting just
like those who lived in 1,000 B.C. And that, of course, is why Jesus had to
die. He came to be punished for our sins because He had none of His own. And once you’ve received Jesus as your
Savior and LORD, then His greatest desire for you is to take full charge of
your heart and life.
And yet, we all offend. We all say things that offend people.
Here’s what the Bible says in the NT. James 3:2 “For in many things we offend [fall into sin] all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” And here’s a word from Jesus on the matter of offending others. Matthew 18:7 “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luke 17:1 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”
A. Only a “perfect man” is able to not offend in word.
B. God must judge our offences “Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
C. Offences are part of everyday life. “It is impossible but that offences will come.”
You can easily see how seriously we need to know and yield to the LORD. Simply put, we all offend in word and deed. We are sinners through and through and apart from Christ we are helpless to deal with our sinful natures.
1. Times may have changed; but people are still the same today as in 1,000 B.C.
2. Some of our offenses are very large and very intentional. In this account in II Samuel ten, by shaving off the beards of David’s soldiers, Hanun was intending to offend David in a very large way.
And we’ve all done exactly that – done something to someone just to offend them. And, as you can easily see from the story in II Samuel, Hanun’s insult had two bad results; one, a battle; and two, he and his army were defeated in that battle.
3. What’s a Christian to do when he or she has been offended? Jesus gave a clear method for handling offences. Here’s what He says you must do.
Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”
Now, just one caveat here. The words of Jesus in this passage deals with personal, one-on-one situations. It’s not very likely that you and I will be involved in any international insults or things that will result in military action. There are very few occasions when Jesus sets down simple steps for us to follow. Here’s one of those occasions.
1. When the offense is personal and private, go to that person privately and tell him or her their fault and resolve the matter one-to-one – Matt. 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
The term “fault” is an Old English term meaning. Matthew 18:15 “Fault” = something that has caused shame to another person or expressed scorn.” “Alone” = the first response must be to deal with your hurt feelings one on one.
Jesus clearly knows our hearts, doesn’t He? He knows that when someone has insulted us, our first recourse is to tell someone else about it rather than go directly to him or her and deal with the matter personally. Go on to Page four
And yet, we all offend. We all say things that offend people.
Here’s what the Bible says in the NT. James 3:2 “For in many things we offend [fall into sin] all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” And here’s a word from Jesus on the matter of offending others. Matthew 18:7 “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luke 17:1 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”
A. Only a “perfect man” is able to not offend in word.
B. God must judge our offences “Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
C. Offences are part of everyday life. “It is impossible but that offences will come.”
You can easily see how seriously we need to know and yield to the LORD. Simply put, we all offend in word and deed. We are sinners through and through and apart from Christ we are helpless to deal with our sinful natures.
1. Times may have changed; but people are still the same today as in 1,000 B.C.
2. Some of our offenses are very large and very intentional. In this account in II Samuel ten, by shaving off the beards of David’s soldiers, Hanun was intending to offend David in a very large way.
And we’ve all done exactly that – done something to someone just to offend them. And, as you can easily see from the story in II Samuel, Hanun’s insult had two bad results; one, a battle; and two, he and his army were defeated in that battle.
3. What’s a Christian to do when he or she has been offended? Jesus gave a clear method for handling offences. Here’s what He says you must do.
Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”
Now, just one caveat here. The words of Jesus in this passage deals with personal, one-on-one situations. It’s not very likely that you and I will be involved in any international insults or things that will result in military action. There are very few occasions when Jesus sets down simple steps for us to follow. Here’s one of those occasions.
1. When the offense is personal and private, go to that person privately and tell him or her their fault and resolve the matter one-to-one – Matt. 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
The term “fault” is an Old English term meaning. Matthew 18:15 “Fault” = something that has caused shame to another person or expressed scorn.” “Alone” = the first response must be to deal with your hurt feelings one on one.
Jesus clearly knows our hearts, doesn’t He? He knows that when someone has insulted us, our first recourse is to tell someone else about it rather than go directly to him or her and deal with the matter personally. Go on to Page four