Offended?

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me – Matthew 11:6

 

Have you noticed how lately more and more people are taking offense at what others say? People take offense at anything and everything said that doesn’t agree with what they believe. We are living in a culture that is a conversational mine field; whatever you say is liable to blow up in your face by someone who takes offense. Is it ever right to risk offending someone to tell them the truth? Many people, Christians in particular, worship at the feet of inoffensiveness thinking nothing is worth the risk offending someone about. The problem with that is the cross of Christ is offensive. The Apostle Paul spoke of “the offense of the cross” (Galatians 5:11). Even though the cross by nature is offensive, the Apostle proclaimed, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block [i.e., offense] and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Paul was inspired to write, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). It doesn’t sound as if Paul limited his message for fear of offending someone. Can you say the same?

We are currently in a season of political debate with the 2026 midterm elections only a few short days away. It’s a season of offense. Sometimes just pointing out the positions of the two main political parties is enough to offend people. For instance, I saw a social media message that said the following under the heading of “What You Are Actually Voting for in 2026”:

• Abortion for any reason: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• Right to Bear Arms: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For
• Legal Immigration Only: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Deportation of those in country illegally: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Pro law enforcement/ICE: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Lower taxes for all families: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Biological males in women’s bathrooms and locker rooms: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• Biological males in women’s sports: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• Parental rights over states’ rights: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Strong defense and military: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Pro Socialism/Communism: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• Minors getting gender reassignment treatments without parental consent: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• Minors getting abortion without parental consent: Democrat/Progressive – For; Republican/Conservative – Against.
• School vouchers to give parents a choice in their children’s education: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Working toward a color-blind society: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.
• Tighter controls on government spending and accountability: Democrat/Progressive – Against; Republican/Conservative – For.

Does that list offend you? Such information offends people. The topics certainly are grist for debate in our politically divided society. Many are offended by merely bringing up the topic of politics itself. But unless we discuss issues and recognize the Biblical and First Amendment right of freedom of speech to do so, we will never arrive at truth. That’s important. It’s especially important for Christians. Jesus prayed to his Father that He would sanctify or set them apart according to the truth found in His word (John 17:17). The followers of Jesus are to be distinguishable from others by their adherence to the truth of God found in His word. We are to be truth bearers and truth living followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit of truth enables us to do that (John 16:13). Jesus Himself came to bear witness to the truth. He testified before Pilate saying, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Jesus said this to and risked offending someone who had the governmental authority to execute Him. But He said it, nonetheless. [1]

When John the Baptist questioned Jesus’ identity, Jesus’ response was, “Go tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” And then Jesus said, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:1-6). “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Blessed are those who are not offended by the truth proclaimed by the Truth Bearer. Does Jesus offend you?

When Jesus was describing what His disciples could expect to see prior to His return He said, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). We may sing, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightening of His power swift sword: He truth is marching on. Glory, glory, Hallelujah!”[2] We may sing that, but we need to thank God that God’s swift sword is held back “for the sake of the elect” just a little longer. We need to pray for God’s continued longsuffering and mercy for our nation, its people, and the lost people of this world. We deserve His justice and judgment. Any time we have left is due to His loving longsuffering and grace. We live in urgent times where we need to risk offending people in order to share God’s scripture truth and especially the gospel of Jesus Christ!

While we risk offending people by telling them the truth politically, we should never forget that politics should never be the end but only a means to the end of sharing the gospel and winning souls to Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, “Blessed are you if you are not offended because of Me,” that’s really what He had in mind for John the Baptist. Jesus says the same to everyone who comes with a questioning spirit. It’s not wrong to question. We should ask questions; that’s how we learn. We can question, reverently, honestly question. But we need to be open to hearing the truthful answers to our questions. It is wrong, sinful, to reject God’s truth. To be prejudiced against God’s scripture truth leads people to damnation. That is simply the truth. The problem in our politically charged day is that people are more concerned with their political party platforms than with God’s truth. That is idolatry. That is sinful. Idolatry is a sin. Idolatry is obeying or prioritizing anything or anyone above God and His truth. Do you find that offensive?

Truth or Offense?

In the Gospel of Matthew one of the issues Jesus confronted was the Pharisee’s elevation of their traditions over the word of God. On one occasion when Jesus was teaching on this topic it states:

Matthew 15:12–14 (NKJV) – ¹² Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” – ¹³ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

 

Jesus offended the pharisees. Jesus was offensive. In Matthew 15:12 the disciple’s comment to Jesus about offending the Pharisees with His words. Jesus’ response indirectly addresses the offense taken by the Pharisees. Jesus says that those not planted by His Father would be uprooted. The opposite is also truth – those planted by His Father would not be uprooted. Jesus didn’t apologize. He simply said, “Let them alone.” In other words, offending the Pharisees was not the priority, speaking the truth was. That is because it is worth offending someone in order to share with them the “words of eternal life” that Jesus spoke (John 6:68). Eternal destiny takes priority over temporal comfort.

What does it mean to “offend”?

The word “offended” comes from the Greek term skandalidzo. We get the English word scandal from this term. A “scandal” is an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage. Perhaps the disciples were concerned that the way Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees was offensive or inappropriate enough to turn listeners off. Maybe they were concerned that people might be offended enough that they would stop following Jesus. maybe they were the first with a spirit of seeker friendliness. The disciples didn’t yet realize that the offense of Jesus would eventually result in nailing Him to a cross for our redemption. Seeker friendly oriented people today do much the same.

The Greek term skandalidzo means to trip up (figuratively), to cause to stumble, to entice to sin, apostasy, displeasure, to trap. Originally this word referred to the trigger of a trap. It is more than causing someone to be upset but implies leading them into a spiritual trap. The word suggests a deliberate or even careless action that causes another to fall into sin. Could Jesus be guilty of such an offense?

It would be wrong of us and a misinterpretation to think that Jesus was practicing a “Christian” brand of Muslim Taqiyya where deception is used to advance a cause. Jesus said deception is from the devil (John 11:44). Jesus did not use deception to promote or advance the gospel. Jesus came to save souls not lead people astray. But His presence and message exposed the truth about people. His disciples were concerned that Jesus offended the pharisees in that He did not bow to their position or esteem them or respect them as culture would have it. But Jesus was not so much concerned with offending someone’s pride as He was exposing their proud hypocrisy. Jesus did this in an effort to bring them to repentance and save their soul. Nicodemas is an example of this (John 3). So if Jesus is setting a trap for them, it was to snare them in their own pride and arrogance in hope that they would repent of it and heed His gospel message. He was inviting them to trap themselves in their own sin.

Speaking the Truth Even if it Offends

Scripture gives a strong basis for speaking truth even when it offends people. It also draws a line between the offense truth causes and offense we cause needlessly.

Jesus Himself expected His words to offend. When Jesus spoke of His body as bread to eat and His blood as something for His followers to drink, it offended many, even His own disciples. He even asked, “Does this offend you?” But the message took priority over demeanor of those who were offended. Offending people was a necessary risk in order to separate true from false followers. Some were following Him only for a free meal. That was likely offensive to Jesus. Such food seekers were missing the eternal significance of the message of Jesus. Jesus was looking to weed out the superficial seekers to focus on those following Him because “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:51-71).

Jesus and His ministry were offensive. Jesus said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34-36). Jesus is described in the New Testament as “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” (Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:23; 1 Peter 2:7-8). Remember what I noted earlier, Jesus’ cross was and still is a “stumbling block” to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. If you’re going to follow Jesus, you have to be willing to set your offense aside and take hold of His truth by faith.

Our priority is to please God even if it offends people. Jesus taught His disciples that they should be concerned when people “speak well of you” because that is a sure sign of being a false prophet (Luke 6:26). How do people think of you? Is everyone comfortable around you? Are you the life of the party, the one no one fears being around? Are you known for being the least offensive person around? That may not be a good thing.

Jesus said the world hated Him and we can expect the world to hate us too (John 15:18-20). From the very beginning of the Church the Apostles’ response to those offended by the gospel was, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If our priority is to please people over staying true to God, then we are no longer a servant of Jesus (Galatians 1:10). Walking by faith and not by sight means sharing the truth of God and entrusting the outcome to Him. We should not worship inoffensiveness by watering down the truth of God’s word.

Remaining silent instead of warning those in danger because you fear offending them, is sinful, cowardly, and offensive to God. The watchman on the wall of a city who fails to warn its citizens when an enemy approaches will be guilty of their defeat and bloodshed (Proverbs 27:5-6; 28:23; Ezekiel 3:17-19; 33:6). In the New Testament Paul asked the Galatians, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). We need to be willing to be called an “enemy” in order to reach the lost.

The messengers of God are to speak His truth regardless of if it offends listeners. The natural sinful inclination of people is to desire messengers of God to “speak to us smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10). This is at the rotten root of the Seeker Friendly movement of the Church. Some churches refuse to teach the Old Testament because it is too offensive too “bloody” for seekers. Others refuse to teach prophecy because they see it as too offensively confusing. When you cut out the Old Testament and prophecy from your scriptural library you are cutting out nearly three quarters of the inspired truth-full word of God. Now that truly is offensive!

One of the marks of a false prophets according to God is speaking “peace” when there was or is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14). We are not doing anyone any favors by ignoring the writing on the walls of this world. We are negligent traitorous watchmen when we do so. And when God’s people whether in or out of the pulpit let offensiveness guide them, they are fulfilling the prophetic attributes of the End Times God warned us about in His word. We are to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Such times are upon us, and it is offensive to God.

But we aren’t to needlessly offend people. Having said all of this, we shouldn’t be carelessly gruff or belligerent. The Bible says we are to speak God’s truth “in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Our words are to be gracious and “seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). If we are in a position to correct someone, it should be done with gentleness hoping for their repentance (2 Timothy 2:24-26). When we share the hope of the gospel, we are to do it respectfully (1 Peter 3:15-16). People aren’t going to care what you have to say unless they know that you genuinely care for them.

Jesus did offend pharisees. He treated those who should have known better differently. But to others He was of a more tolerant demeanor. Jesus was confronted with a political question about paying the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27). That led to a broader conversation about paying taxes to a secular government. That’s something we talk about even in our day. Should we pay taxes to a government that often doesn’t represent us or act justly? This was a topic laden with potentially offensive responses to Jesus’ answer. Jesus set the perfect example for us. Jesus had the disciples cast a hook into the sea, pull up the first fish caught, then opened its mouth and to retrieve a coin. Then Jesus said:

Matthew 17:27 (NKJV) – ²⁷ Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Jesus paid the temple tax and government taxes “lest we offend them.” Later Jesus was asked again about paying taxes and He said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). He would not compromise truth to avoid offense, but He also would not cause offense over things that were side tracking and less important than God’s truth or the gospel.

We are to speak God’s truth without compromise but speak it in love trying not to add any offensiveness due to our own feelings or attitude.

Whenever we stray from God’s word of truth for any reason, we tread into dangerous waters. Our guide needs to be God’s word, and we cannot and should not compromise it. The Bible is clear:

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV) – ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The prophet Elijah was called by God to confront a people who had long compromised their relationship with God. They compromised who they were with God so as not to offend but to adopt the practices of pagan people. Through Elijah God challenged His people, “’How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him’” (1 Kings 18:21). How would you answer that question? How do you answer it when you restrain God’s truth in order not to offend someone? Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Does that offend you?

James the half-brother of Jesus warned that friendship with the world made you an enemy with God (James 4:4). The Apostle John similarly taught that if you loved the world the love of the Father was not in you (1 John 2:15-17). The Apostle Paul warned the church in Rome to not be conformed to the things of this world (Romans 12:2). He warned the church in Corinth not to be unequally connected with the world but to be separate from their sinful ways (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Is our inoffensiveness offensive to God?

Concern for offending people is the stepsister of compromise. Fearing offense leads to compromising God’s word. This has always been the case. It was true of those who first entered the Promised land (e.g., Joshua 23:12-13). It was true when Solomon married foreign wives to reduce his offense compromising with foreign powers (1 Kings 11:1-4). From the very first psalm we are told blessing comes to the one who refuses to walk in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1). Later in the Proverbial book of wisdom we are warned that the fear of (offending) people is a snare (Proverbs 29:25). When we make an idol of not offending people it always leads to a lapse in faith and loss of blessing.

Lastly, Jesus wrote seven letters to seven churches in the Book of Revelation. These churches represent real local churches, but they also represent aspects that might be found in any church throughout history. These seven churches also represent seven epochs or periods in history and what the Church of that day would look like. Jesus didn’t mince words. He knew that what the Father planted would stand the test of being disciplined even if initially they were offended.

The church of the Last Days is the Laodicean church. It is a church that is lukewarm, unwilling to speak truth or confront evil or deal with sin for fear of offending (Revelation 3:15-16). The church of Laodicea was not the first church to bow at the altar of offense. The churches of Pergamum and Thyatira were rebuked by Jesus for tolerating false teaching and idolatry (Revelation 2:14-16 and 20). The church of the Last Days will be a church that restrains truth and exalts its inoffensiveness. It will be a church where people are invited to come with the promise that they needn’t fear being offended or challenged or even being exposed to any uncomfortable conversations about sin in their lives. The last days church will boast of their tolerance and welcome sinners into their sanctuaries and even boast of behaviors that God in His word calls sinful and blasphemous. Because such churches worship inoffensiveness, they will lack power, redeem no one, and usher people into an eternity of darkness and torment separate from the God of justice, love, mercy, grace, and truth. Jesus is offended, nauseous over such a “church.” It’s offensive to the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit when people sinfully and rebelliously choose to reject His gospel offer of redemption, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual eternal life through faith in Jesus. yes, that is the ultimate offense, and it will be judged as such.

Are you offended by these words? Jesus said, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Do you worship at the altar of inoffensiveness, or do you worship Jesus and His truth? Please pray with me:

Father in Heaven I come to You in Jesus ‘name. Father, forgive me for fearing people, for being overly concerned about offending people, rather than heeding the direction of the Holy Spirit to share Your truth and gospel. Please forgive all my sins, the sins which separate me from You. I ask that through faith in Jesus’ redemptive cross work and His resurrection from the dead. Holy Spirit please fill me and give me spiritual life. Please empower me to live and proclaim Your truth to a world that often takes offense at it. Help me to be bold but loving, truthful but not belligerent, obedient but not bludgeoning. Father, please make me what I need to be, to do what You call me to do, for Your glory, until Jesus returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:6).

If you prayed that prayer or have any questions about this teaching, please leave a comment on my blog. God bless and lead you.

[1] We know of course that the cross of Christ was part of God’s redemptive plan from the beginning of eternity – Genesis 3:15; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:4-7; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8.

[2] The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe