Offence is a subject widely addressed within the pages of the Bible. It touches on how believers should treat each other, how they should perceive offence, and ways to navigate situations where offence may arise. These principles underline the biblical approach towards offense and offers guidance on how to live in harmony as per the Christian faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Handling Offence?
The Bible provides clear guidance on dealing with offence. It encourages forgiveness as a central tenet of the Christian practice. In instances where one believer wrongs another, the offended party is advised to approach the offender privately and highlight the offence. This way, chances for reconciliation are enhanced. The Bible also emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and kindness, even when you feel wronged or confronted with offensive behaviour. It guides that a soft response can turn away wrath, pointing to the virtue of maintaining composure and patience during disagreements.
Who Should We Forgive According to the Bible?
According to the Bible, we are mandated to forgive anyone who offends us. This is not limited to fellow believers but extends to all people, regardless of the nature of the offence or the frequency with which it happens. The Bible encourages unlimited forgiveness, adding that holding onto grudges only fosters bitterness, which impedes spiritual growth. Thus, unconditional forgiveness, the Bible purports, is essential for fostering unity and maintaining harmony within communities.
Why is Avoiding Offence Tolerance Noted in the Bible?
The Bible advises believers to practice tolerance as a way of avoiding offence. This is premised on the understanding that people have different perspectives and backgrounds, and these differences can lead to misunderstandings if not managed appropriately. Tolerance allows individuals to accept and coexist with these differences without taking offence. By promoting tolerance, the Bible teaches believers to live peacefully with each other, despite their diverse views and beliefs. This way, they can foster a unified community that upholds love and respect amongst its members.
Where Can Believers Find Guidance on Dealing With Offence?
Believers can find guidance on dealing with offence within the teachings and parables of the Bible. These teachings provide practical examples of how to handle offence, encouraging believers to approach each situation with love, humility, and understanding. The Bible teaches believers not to retaliate or harbor resentment when offended but instead to respond with forgiveness and kindness. Additionally, believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God when confronted with offensive situations, trusting that He will provide the strength and comprehension to overcome any feelings of hurt or bitterness.
When Should Believers Forgive Offences?
The Bible advises believers to forgive offences as soon as they occur. Delaying forgiveness could lead to the buildup of resentment and bitterness, disrupting the peace and unity within the community of believers. By immediately forgiving, believers free themselves from the bondage of hurt and keep their hearts pure and open response to the love of God. This instant forgiveness also serves as an example of Christ’s forgiveness towards humanity, strengthening the bond within the community and motivating others to practice the same forgiveness.
Below is the full list of bible verses on offence (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Offence
Proverbs 19:11
“11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
Related Themes: Frustration Bitterness Arguing Anger Offense
Proverbs 18:19
“19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
“16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Related Themes: Gossip Abomination Lying Pride
1 Corinthians 10:32
“32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”
Related Themes: Offense
Matthew 18:7
“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!”
Romans 16:17
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Related Themes: Holiness Division Narcissism Judging Others Church
Romans 16:17-18
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Related Themes: Holiness Division Narcissism Judging Others Church
James 1:12
“12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Lust Suffering Life Addiction
Proverbs 17:9
“9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Forgiveness Love Friendship
Galatians 5:11
“11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.”
Related Themes: Persecution
Acts 24:16
“16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
Related Themes: Reputation Honesty Integrity Offense Conscience
Isaiah 8:14
“14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
Psalm 119:165
“165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
Related Themes: Peace Frustration Offense
Matthew 18:6
“6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Proverbs 10:12
“12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Love Hate Forgiveness Strife
Luke 17:1
“1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”
Related Themes: Manipulation Offense Humility
Matthew 16:23
“23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Related Themes: Satan
1 Peter 2:8
“8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
Matthew 18:15-17
“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 an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
1 Corinthians 13:5
“5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
Related Themes: Frustration Trespassing Envy And Jealousy Love Resolving Conflict
James 1:19
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
2 John 1:10-11
“10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Related Themes: Tolerance Fidelity Acceptance Excommunication Shunning
2 Thessalonians 3:6
“6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
Related Themes: Idleness Excommunication Traditions
Galatians 6:1
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride Judging Others
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
Matthew 18:17
“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 an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Gossip Trespassing Excommunication Resolving Conflict Church
Luke 17:3-4
“3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Repentance Criticism Bitterness
1 Samuel 25:31
“31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.”
Acts 17:10-11
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Omnipotence Frustration Lust
1 Corinthians 1:23
“23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
Related Themes: Preaching Excommunication Foolishness
