Romans 14:21

[It is] good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor [do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

We are in an age when ‘being offended’ has become a weapon to be used in getting one’s own way by instilling fear of retribution. So, it is good to know what that means in the life of a believer in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Our greatest concern is if our actions offend God, not others. God’s standards are unchanging, beautiful, and bring blessing to all who obey and seek righteousness. Our priority is to please God, so if someone is offended because of our obedience to God then so be it. This will become a greater reality in the coming days as the very idea of faith in Christ will become not only more offensive but ultimately illegal should He delay His return. If someone is offended because we are unloving and self-righteous that is a different issue from which we must repent.

Within the church, however we have a different topic to address. With a greater understanding of Scripture, God’s   nature, and His grace often come personal liberties. These  liberties often are in areas with which others struggle and could lead them either into a guilty conscience or a seared one. Scripture tells us that when we wound someone’s weak conscience, we not only sin against them but against Christ. [1 Cor 8:12] Is exercising your liberty so important that you trample on the conscience of someone weaker in faith—exposing them to either feelings of condemnation, or of partaking in something they cannot handle, leading them to destruction; and at the same time sin against the one who died for us both?

Love does not behave rudely, nor does it seek its own. [1Cor 13:5]