Not offending

Sept5SavedTeen · #1 12-19-2008, 04:09 PM

How do we understand Paul's words that tell us that we should be careful not to offend our brethren in Christ?

Should meat offend one of you, and we were out to lunch, I would get a salad...

Should I live in a way that offends some here, let's say I had an earring and long hair or something else like that- which I don't, but let's just imagine... it can be fun sometimes... I would not post it here, because I know the sight of a brother in Christ with long hair and an earring (which I believe both to be wrong on a brother) would offend some here...

So... my question is this, would some of us think that seeing someone else in shorts or sleeveless shirts or excessive jewelry (some here are 100% anti-jewelry as some of us know) could be offensive to some brethren?

Worldly example: I went to an event called VegFest in Boston last October, and there were vegetarians, vegans and some people who were just organic food people (like I try to be, but who are not necessarily vegetarians, they might eat organic meat). Anyways, you know what the "standard", if you will, was at the VegFest? Vegan. We all went to the lowest common denominator as to not to offend anyone, and all the 100+ booths had no animal by products whatsoever.

Thoughts?

-Bro. Alex

RandyWayne · #2 12-19-2008, 04:55 PM

And they ARE excellent thoughts.

Honestly, this is an area that needs more discussion/study. Do we separate those who are honestly offended from those who are easily offended when looking a certain way or doing certain things?

I've always looked at this issue as the stronger brother taking care not to offend the weaker one as this seems to be the literal case.

Arphaxad · #3 12-19-2008, 05:23 PM

No matter what I do someone will be offended

ARPH

Sept5SavedTeen · #4 12-19-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And they ARE excellent thoughts.

Honestly, this is an area that needs more discussion/study. Do we separate those who are honestly offended from those who are easily offended when looking a certain way or doing certain things?

I've always looked at this issue as the stronger brother taking care not to offend the weaker one as this seems to be the literal case.

Just to let you know, my post was not because of your and your wife's shorts and tee shirt's pic... But of course, there are some that could be offended by it.

Also, "If it cause my brother to offend..." we know offend there really means "sin", so, if my actions cause my brother to sin, then there's a really big issue I've got on my hands. If I post a pic of me drinking a beer, that's one thing... If I offer my brother a beer, he is bewildered, and rejects that's another... And then if I coax my brother to go against his conscience and drink a beer that's a whole other... Which do we think would be wrong? Are they all wrong?

-Bro. Alex

RandyWayne · #5 12-19-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Just to let you know, my post was not because of your and your wife's shorts and tee shirt's pic... But of course, there are some that could be offended by it.

Actually, I never considered this...... Which I don't understand why, because I have received some nasty emails from members on other more conservative forums....
Too me it is not an issue.... and I do NOT consider shorts immodest.

Now if I would caused someone to legitimately stumble by wearing them around him or her -I wouldn't do it. I hope there isn't anyone here who is staying awake at night with burning hormones at the sight of mine (and my wife's) naked knees.

Sept5SavedTeen · #6 12-21-2008, 07:49 PM

bump.... any one, anywhere? offended? anyone?

-Bro. Alex

Jermyn Davidson · #7 12-21-2008, 08:17 PM

My take on this concept is that once I do something with the intent of offending or with intentional disregard, my offense has become my sin.

Until then, my offense is simply an offense-- unless it's something that is CLEARLY a sin.

Know what I mean?

Sherri · #8 12-21-2008, 08:42 PM

When the Bible talks about staying away from something for the sake of not offending the weaker brother, it's talking about not offending new believers. The ones who usually end up getting offended are the ones who have lived for God for a zillion years and should be mature enough not to get offended!!

Jermyn Davidson · #9 12-21-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

When the Bible talks about staying away from something for the sake of not offending the weaker brother, it's talking about not offending new believers. The ones who usually end up getting offended are the ones who have lived for God for a zillion years and should be mature enough not to get offended!!

For some, I have seen their offense is symptomatic of their bitterness of having to "bear the burden in the heat of the day." Imo.

Sept5SavedTeen · #10 12-21-2008, 09:00 PM

If I put a picture up of a member of the KISS band, or if I painted my face like KISS and had long hair and face paint on, would you all be offended?

-Bro. Alex