Bible Questions and Answers

How can you avoid being offended?

The short answer is that we can’t avoid being offended because we generally don’t know in advance how and when it will happen. What we are required to do is to take offence calmly and not give offence in return.

• Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
• Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
• 1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
• 1 Peter 2:20-23 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

When we sin, we offend God. If we want God to forgive us we must forgive those who offend us.

• Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
• Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn