YOUR OFFENSE STINKS! Offense defined as: “annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one’s standards or principles.” People leave churches for different reasons: bad doctrine (this is a good reason), not a good fit for the family, too loud, too small, too big, move out of state and the list goes on.
I’m not concerned with these reasons. However, what concerns me is those leaving over a perceived offense. Every single time we have had a group of people leave, it was over an offense. Sometimes it’s one or two people who’s pride has been wounded, they spread their offense to others with slander (by the way, the Greek for slander is diabolos, the devil, and it’s only purpose is to destroy), falsely accusing the pastor and or leadership.
A huge portion of the time, a parent is offended over their child. Take good notes. Why people have to spread their offense is beyond me, but the weak-minded and the foolish receive gossip and slander as truth, and choose to believe the lie over uncovering the truth. Then, not only does the offended spread their offense to others in the congregation, they have to make it public. They spread their offense outside the church Body and post it in social media. They speak lies in hypocrisy and tear apart the upright in heart, quoting Scripture about false teachers. Why? Because they were offended and believed the lies of the offended.
Ask ANY pastor and they will recount to you this same story. Satan has no new tactics, offense works. Your offense stinks. You are rewarding evil for another’s love because your pride was wounded. Offense opens the door for the enemy and he will exploit that offense. Slander’s only purpose is to destroy. Why are you so offended? Pride will destroy you and everyone around you. Maybe you received church discipline?
A church that does not discipline is not operating according to God’s Word. Let me give you some truth: you are allowed to judge according to one’s fruit; but never the intents of another’s heart. If the fruit of a church is producing righteousness and holiness in its people, a love for truth and others, along with a hatred for wickedness and sin; that’s good fruit. If you are offended, keep it to yourself, bring it before the Lord, typically there is pride involved and seek reconciliation before you fall into sin. If you spread your offense, it will cause division- that’s it’s only aim. Remember Korah.
The enemy seeks to divide. If someone comes to you seeking to spread their offense: shut your ears, tell them they are in sin and need to seek reconciliation. Do not take part in division. “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:10-11 ESV“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18 ESV#runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
