Offended

I recently watched the YouTube video of the pastor of an AME church get slapped and attempt to slap back a member of his church. The report mentions that there were long standing problems between this pastor, who was appointed by his denomination’s leadership. One member is quoted as saying that the pastor had poor people skills – this became obvious as he swung back at the woman who slapped him.

In dismay I watched a Hispanic video of an infant baptism where a relative becomes upset with the priest. In response the priest actually publically calls her an idiot! She throws her purse at the priest and he retaliates by attempting to punch the woman out!

Jesus said, “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt 18:7 NKJV). The word that is used in the Greek that is translated, “offences” pictures a snare made from a bent branch. This shows the deception behind an offence; it is a trap set for unsuspecting victims. Once a person is caught by a trap, they cannot get themselves out, especially without much difficulty. That is the power of offence, it so embitters people that they cannot be released from their animosity towards that other person.

I believe that Satan is behind trapping men and women in offences. The only way to avoid being taken in such a snare is to always be aware that traps have been set and we must deliberately keep our eyes open and be cautious to not be taken. The Bible teaches, “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven — if there was anything to forgive — I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:10-11 NIV). Sadly, I think many Christians are completely unaware of Satan’s schemes and snares.

The videos are extreme examples of this. They are a total shame and contradiction to what Christ taught which is that if we do not forgive we ourselves will not be forgiven; that we are to always act in love – even to our enemies; that if someone slaps us on one cheek we should turn to them the other. We are never taught to return evil for evil, insult for insult, rather we are to entrust all things to God who alone is the Judge and Lawgiver.

There is the story of a man who was trapped on an uncharted island. When he was finally found, it was noticed that there were three hand-made huts on the island. When the man was questioned about the purpose of each of the huts he responded, “Well, the first hut was the one I made for my home. The second hut is my church.” “What about the third hut?” they inquired. “Well that was the church I used to attend!” he said.

Some people seem to be looking for a reason to be offended and to break fellowship with others. There was obviously a recognized need for unity in the Church otherwise Jesus would not have felt it necessary to pray for our unity before he was taken to be crucified for our sins. Here is how Jesus said it, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23). It is no wonder that the world struggles to believe that God so loved the world that He sent His Son when we are not in complete unity and are constantly being offended with each other.

We must “bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13). If we do not love those we see, how can we say we love God? Because God commanded us to love and forgive each other. I beseech you in Christ’s name if you are offended with someone, especially in the Church, go to them and be reconciled.