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Offence

Offence refers to anything that causes someone to stumble in their faith or violates their conscience. Scripture warns believers to avoid both causing offence to others and being offended by God's truth.

Overview

An offence is anything that causes a believer to stumble spiritually or creates a barrier to faith. The Bible distinguishes between legitimate offences (rejecting God's Word) and unnecessary stumbling blocks caused by insensitive Christian behavior. Believers are called to avoid putting obstacles in others' paths while remaining committed to biblical truth.

Key Scriptures

"And Jesus said to them, 'Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'" (Matthew 11:6, ESV)

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31-32, NIV)

"I try to please everyone in all I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:33, ESV)

Application

Examine your actions carefully to ensure you're not needlessly causing others to stumble in faith, while maintaining unwavering commitment to biblical truth and refusing to compromise the gospel message.

Scripture References 40

Exodus 32:2 Exodus 32:3 Exodus 32:4 Exodus 32:5 Exodus 32:6 Matthew 13:41 Romans 16:17 Numbers 31:16 Revelation 2:14 Psalms 73:15 Romans 14:13 1 Corinthians 8:9 2 Corinthians 6:3 Philippians 1:10 Matthew 11:6 1 Corinthians 1:23 Galatians 5:11 John 6:58 John 6:59 John 6:60 John 6:61 Isaiah 8:14 Romans 9:33 1 Peter 2:8 Mark 9:43 Mark 9:44 Mark 9:45 Mark 9:46 Mark 9:47 Matthew 5:29 Matthew 5:30 Matthew 18:7 Mark 9:42 Judges 8:27 Acts 24:16 1 Kings 12:26 1 Kings 12:27 1 Kings 12:28 1 Kings 12:29 1 Kings 12:30

Full Topical Reference List 85 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Aaron

Exodus 32:2 Exodus 32:3 Exodus 32:4 Exodus 32:5 Exodus 32:6

All things that cause, shall be gathered out of Christ's kingdom

Matthew 13:41

Avoid those who cause

Romans 16:17

Balaam, &c

Numbers 31:16 Revelation 2:14

Be cautious of giving

1 Corinthians 8:9 2 Corinthians 6:3 Psalms 73:15 Romans 14:13

Be without

Philippians 1:10

Blessedness of not taking, at Christ

Matthew 11:6

Christ crucified

1 Corinthians 1:23 Galatians 5:11

Christ, as the bread of life

John 6:58 John 6:59 John 6:60 John 6:61

Christ, as the corner-stone

1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14 Romans 9:33

Cut off what causes, to themselves

Mark 9:43 Mark 9:44 Mark 9:45 Mark 9:46 Mark 9:47 Matthew 5:29 Matthew 5:30

Denunciation against those who cause

Mark 9:42 Matthew 18:7

Gideon

Judges 8:27

Have a conscience void of

Acts 24:16

Jeroboam

1 Kings 12:26 1 Kings 12:27 1 Kings 12:28 1 Kings 12:29 1 Kings 12:30

Not let their liberty occasion, to others

1 Corinthians 8:9

Occasions of, forbidden

1 Corinthians 10:32 2 Corinthians 6:3

Occasions of, must arrive

Matthew 18:7

Old prophet

1 Kings 13:18 1 Kings 13:19 1 Kings 13:20 1 Kings 13:21 1 Kings 13:22 1 Kings 13:23 1 Kings 13:24 1 Kings 13:25 1 Kings 13:26

Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors

Matthew 13:21 Matthew 24:10 Matthew 26:31

Peter

Matthew 16:23

Priests

Malachi 2:8

Punishment for occasioning

Ezekiel 44:12 Malachi 2:8 Malachi 2:9 Matthew 18:6 Matthew 18:7

Remove that which causes

Isaiah 57:14

Reprove those who cause

1 Samuel 2:24 Exodus 32:21

Saints warned against taking

John 16:1

Sons of Eli

1 Samuel 2:12 1 Samuel 2:13 1 Samuel 2:14 1 Samuel 2:15 1 Samuel 2:16 1 Samuel 2:17

The low station of Christ

Isaiah 53:1 Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 53:3 Matthew 13:54 Matthew 13:55 Matthew 13:56 Matthew 13:57

The necessity of inward purity

Matthew 15:11 Matthew 15:12

The righteousness of faith

Romans 9:32

Use self-denial rather than occasion

1 Corinthians 8:13 Romans 14:21

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