It seems like people are easily offended these days. Anything they disagree with or something that rubs them the wrong way will cause offense. Perhaps it’s the explosion of social media or was it a reaction to the last Presidential election? If they don’t like it, they will tell you so, and you may get some “offensive” language in their response. It seems they don’t mind “offending” you, while showing how offended they are.
I understand some angry responses to racial slurs or intentional hateful speech, but too many responses are used to hate, instead of for correcting and healing. Politicians and public figures must agree with the offended or risk being attacked. You had better not offend them, and your motives, intentions and reputation are viciously maligned if you hesitate. Love, reason, and grace are long gone, replaced by outrage, threats, and violence. Shouldn’t that offend you?
Offense has long been a part of the women’s rights movement. Yes, real offenses have been addressed and many corrected, but this is another subject that has been misused to the point it has lost much credibility. Accusations can ruin a man’s life, but he is presumed guilty and may become the real victim, if falsely accused. In another twist, the accuser or the accused are given more credibility if they belong to the correct political party. Yes, the truth may come out and justice may be served, but it’s often lost along the way because of who it might offend.
So, what did JESUS say about offending and offense? He said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mathew 5:44). But I’m offended and I want to let the offender and the world know what they have done to me! Is that going to fix the problem? No! The offender may stop the offensive behavior or may get angry and try to defend themselves. So where does your love come in? Will they to listen to how JESUS changed your life if you lash out? Not likely.
You say, “This is the way politics works, highlight the offenses of the other side and stir up outrage.” Did you notice JESUS was killed because of politics? Religious leaders didn’t want to offend the Romans and the Romans crucified JESUS to appease the religious crowds.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, JESUS said, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…(and) love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mat 22:37-39). So, what should be your response? But you don’t know how much they hurt me! Is it more important than loving GOD? JESUS said, “if you love me you will keep my commandments” and told Peter to “feed my sheep” knowing He was about to unjustly suffer and die at the hands of some of those sheep. Were you offended worse than that? JESUS responded “Father forgive them…” as he hung on the cross, gasping for breath. As for the second commandment, you need to love the offender (your neighbor) like you want others to love you. JESUS died for your offenses, so maybe you can use that standard of forgiveness?
Wayne Lance (2020)