Not offending

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

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

No. But I would honestly question the authenticity of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

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

I may question your reasons, but would I be offended? Not in the slightest.

Now if you dressed like Paul Stanley or Gene Simmons THEN proceeded to critique my wearing of a wedding ring, then THAT would offend me. (Or make me laugh.) LOL

But.... I think we are talking about two different things here. There is "offending" and THEN there is "causing to stumble". Like the previous post, the ones who seem the easiest to offend are those who have been int he church their whole lives, or at least a few decades (and SHOULD know better). However the ones who are most likely to stumble are new converts who are still finding their way with a cane and working dog.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

No. But I would honestly question the authenticity of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ok, but you wouldn't be bothered by seeing such a thing? That is the definition of offense. If I see someone wearing clothing I deem immodest is it wrong of me to be offended? Should we aim to shield our brethren from things that could offend them? I don't look like any members of the KISS band (which is a good thing) but if I did go through all the trouble to look like that (which would look awful) I wouldn't post it here, because this is an apostolic website. Have I made a bad example, here, using KISS?

Maybe I'm not getting my point across well enough- I'm going to bed.

-Bro. Alex

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

1) Ok, but you wouldn't be bothered by seeing such a thing? That is the definition of offense. 2) If I see someone wearing clothing I deem immodest is it wrong of me to be offended? 3) Should we aim to shield our brethren from things that could offend them? I don't look like any members of the KISS band (which is a good thing) but if I did go through all the trouble to look like that (which would look awful) I wouldn't post it here, because this is an apostolic website. 4) Have I made a bad example, here, using KISS?

Maybe I'm not getting my point across well enough- I'm going to bed.

-Bro. Alex

1) Maybe I'm just the wrong Apostolic to answer this question if you want someone to be offended. I wouldn't be bothered by it unless the person was claiming to be saved, and then I would question their authenticity. Bothered, yes-- offended no.

2) Depends. If it is a brother or sister in Christ who has publicly made a stand with you to not wear short sleeved shirts, but then away from Church you see them wearing a short sleeved shirt, then I may be bothered by the apparent hypocrisy and would probably approach them, in love. Then I'd pray for their public declarations in the future to be sincere.

3) IMO, no. Even Jesus said it was necessary that the offense would come but woe to the offender (paraphrase).

However, we don't need to make ourselves the vehicle of the offense. When my ex-roommate and I would have some of the other youth over to the house from our church to watch a movie, he was real careful as to what movie was selected.

4) Depends on what your point is.

If you're talking about your Christian brother being offended in the world by worldly elements, there is very little you can affect there except to pray with your brother for the Lord to keep him from sinning because of the offense... "anger but sin not" and etc.

If you're talking about Christians and how we interact with our Christians brothers, then I believe we do have a Biblical mandate to not offend the consciences of our brothers.

But Sis. Sherri brought out earlier, many times, the Christians who are offended at the liberties of other Christians, in many cases, are folks who should be beyond being offended by the mundane.

Not giving your brother over to "doubtful disputations" can tie into this subject.


Have a good night brother. Maybe someone else can answer your questions better.

[tv1a]

Most people will agree that the offending the weaker brother is used as extortion by legalists.

A legalist doesn't really care about the weaker brother. The legalist uses that argument to eliminate the exposure of their fraud.

[RandyWayne]

"Offense" always seems to flow one way. A man who is offended by wedding rings expects everyone around him to take them off. A man who is "offended" (although this is NEVER the case) by those who don't wear them, can never expect them put one on -for his sake.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

"Offense" always seems to flow one way. A man who is offended by wedding rings expects everyone around him to take them off. A man who is "offended" (although this is NEVER the case) by those who don't wear them, can never expect them put one on -for his sake.

Excellent point!

You can apply this truism to so many of the "molehills" that some folks tend to make mountains out of.

[Sam]

Romans 14 and 15 deal with this.
It's not an easy question.
How far do I go to avoid offense? How far should I expect a brother or sister to go to avoid offending me? I remember a pastor of mine saying something like, "I've learned that if I don't want someone stepping on my corns I have to keep my feet out of their way."

[Sam]

At one time I belonged to an organization called The Church of Jesus Christ Pentecostal Faith. Our Presiding Bishop was G.R. Brock who pastored a church in Indianapolis, IN. One time he went to SE Kentucky to preach for Bro. Martin. Bro. Martin did not believe men should wear neckties so Bishop Brock took his off to preach. He then invited Bro. Martin to preach for him in Indianapolis. He told Bro. Martin that he would be required to wear a necktie to preach in Indianapolis and if he didn't bring one with him, Bishop Brock kept a spare necktie in his pulpit for any minister to wear if he didn't bring his own.

[Sam]

Quite a few years ago I quit wearing my wedding ring because I was afraid of "offending" people. I don't know if anyone noticed or not. Several months later I put it back on again. Actually, one person was offended by my taking off the ring. My wife was offended. Now my fingers are too swollen from arthritis to wear a ring.