“I’m Offended”

David Eldridge

It is hard to count how many times I have heard someone say these words in a religious context. Many will say they are offended at many things. Though motives behind this saying may vary, it is a Biblical subject and worthy of our attention.

Offense defined. A secular definition of offense is, in part, “the act of displeasing or affronting” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Many accept this definition in religious matters. If something just doesn’t set right with them or slightly displeases them they say they are “offended”. However, the Biblical definition is much different. It is a, “Stumbling block…(and) causes one to fall by the way…something which leads others into error and sin” (Vines Expository Dictionary). A true offense is that which will either cause or lead others to sin – it is not merely something you don’t like!

When “I’m Offended” is improperly used. It is a misuse of the term offended to speak of something which might simply displease you. Many use the statement “I’m offended” to get their way or to control the actions of others. They say they are “offended” by lawful expediencies and matters of opinion about which no one could be truly offended. I even heard of a man say he was “offended” by the color of paint a congregation was going to use in their new building. We must consider the feelings of others in all that we do, but not to the point at which we fail to do good things altogether, against which there is no reasonable argument. Don’t try to impede or control others and their actions by saying, “I’m offended”.

When “I’m offended” is properly used. To be truly offended by something that thing must be either against your conscience (in that by participating you will be sinning), scripturally wrong, or an occasion for sinning. If something truly will make our brother stumble we need to have Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 8:13. He said, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” We must be concerned with our actions, both congregationally and individually, and how those may affect others.

To say something offends you is not to be said lightly. If you are truly offended by something, in a strict Biblical way, say so. But, let us not use this statement to just get our way or stop something which is not wrong but just merely displeases us.