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◄ Offense: Saints should Avoid Those Who Cause►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian faith, the concept of offense is significant, particularly concerning the behavior and interactions among believers. The Bible provides guidance on how saints should respond to those who cause offense, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity and purity within the body of Christ.

Biblical Instruction on Avoiding Offenders

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of offense in his epistles, urging believers to be vigilant and discerning in their associations. InRomans 16:17, Paul writes, "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them." This passage highlights the necessity for Christians to be aware of individuals who disrupt the harmony of the church through divisive actions or teachings that contradict sound doctrine.

Similarly, in1 Corinthians 5:11, Paul instructs the church to avoid those who claim to be believers but engage in sinful behavior: "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbal abuser, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat." This directive underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Christian community by distancing oneself from those who persist in sin.

The Impact of Offense on the Church

Offense, particularly when it leads to division or false teaching, can have a detrimental impact on the church. It can cause confusion, weaken the faith of believers, and hinder the church's mission. InGalatians 5:9, Paul warns, "A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough." This metaphor illustrates how even a small amount of false teaching or divisive behavior can spread and affect the entire community.

The Role of Church Discipline

Church discipline is a biblical mechanism designed to address offenses within the church. InMatthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a process for dealing with a brother who sins: "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." This process aims to restore the offender while protecting the church from ongoing harm.

The Call to Holiness and Unity

Believers are called to pursue holiness and unity, avoiding those who cause offense and disrupt the peace of the church. InEphesians 4:3, Paul exhorts the church to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." This call to unity is rooted in the understanding that the church is the body of Christ, and any division or offense undermines its witness to the world.

In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance for saints to avoid those who cause offense, emphasizing the importance of discernment, church discipline, and the pursuit of unity and holiness within the Christian community.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Feast of a Holy virgin
... He confesses that he is unworthy that Godshould constantly feed... Thus these virgins
live and die withoutoffense.... of our dear Lady, or of otherSaints, and how...

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... and when they know a slightoffense of another... Thus also among ourselvesshould we
adorn whatever blemishes... the blind world and the falsesaints would recognize...

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
...Saints, various as jewels, [3798]458; many ways of... regard of the worst masters,
[3824]534;should continue in... 507; inequality of, nocause foroffense, [3869]ib...

Instructions to Catechumens.
... not to eat, but to eat withoffense, that is... able to express our first lessons clearly,
should inculcate others... to emulate the good works of thesaints; and if...

Matt. xviii. 7
... Woe to the man, by whom theoffense cometh." [2297... in value to the whole world; how
should he be... that offend, the other from regarding thesesaints with respect...

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... Thesaints prayed even when they did not exercise the public... We know that there is
someoffense in regard to... that toavoid fornication each oneshould have his...

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... he is careful to guard againstoffense to the... of several good works which Christians
should diligently observe... walks of life, as certain falsesaints taught and...

Article xxviii: of Ecclesiastical Power.
... ceremonies and services in honor ofsaints instituted, because... they forbade it for
a time, toavoid offense.... do not ask that the bishopsshould restore concord...

2 Cor. xi. 21
... through their weakness and by takingoffense:"on every... the whole world fighting against
him,should move through... and what things all thesaints together have...

On Family Religion
... studying always to have conscience void ofoffense toward God and... You will have all
thesaints of the world to... supply you with many reasons why youshould be a...