America is now filled with people who care about never offending anyone but God. We are not allowed to mention Jesus, God, Bible, Church, or incurable TDS.
My wife Liney was asked by our granddaughter on Christmas Eve to simply read her the Christmas story. Liney did. Who wouldn't?
I simply listened and prayed that seeds of faith would be planted. What grandfather wouldn't?
This grandauther inquired a bit further cuz she didn't know what "sin" was and then asked Liney about that. (Not really a difficult word to define for Liney, who regularly teaches even younger ones): "Well, it's when someone does something wrong before our heavenly Father."
But then we caught some flack.. two people in the near vicinity listening-in got all triggered (no really, at the time of Jesus' birthday..) and Liney then got putdown and reprimanded. She tried to gently reason to no avail. It's happened before, sadly it was no surprise (though all claimed to be fellowship-loving believers).
One adult was so focused in on their guitar strings at the time, but the triggered adult later-on helped that one also get that very offended (manipulation? I guess they got triggered second hand again).
These two must have read into the motives of my wife, like they can see hearts. Only God can do that. I, too, heard and got more than reprimanded along with Liney.
Lots of HR-type psychobabble was thrown at both of us, but nothing sinful, rude, manipulative, or wrong was said or done. That's our society today.
Of course not, we love our grandkids dearly and don't show disrespect. Hey, weird stuff can happen quickly when the name of Jesus is mentioned.
Beware: Some people have said faith instead of saving faith. Not all love the wonderful name of God's Son.
Able didn't even say anything, but somehow he triggered his bro. (I didn't either in this particular situation). Easily triggered can happen.
“Cain was very angry.. and his countenance fell.” (Gen. 4:5)
Man, we just wanted to be ourselves and bless all involved.
When a believer walks in the Light of the Lord, it's not uncommon in any Land for someone in the vicinity to get triggered.
Yesterday, I saw a video of a lady who got triggered and tried to run over a man in the snow. She had been trained to "Resist" ICE but is now in eternity.
The lost, the worldly, and the carnal (people) for centuries have been offended by the Cross.
On-fire righteous Christians have, without intending,ing to.. provoked fierce hostility in family, friends and in enmies—often not by their wrongdoing (though we are all flawed), but by faith in Jesus Christ, by obedience and adherence to the truth. By good deeds.
In modern language, we might say they got all “triggered” They exposed darkness by walking in purity, in the truth, in the light (John 3:19–21).
Truth exposes hearts.
“Everyone who does evil hates the light… lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:20)
Charles Spurgeon:
“If you never offend anyone with the gospel, you have probably not preached the gospel.”
OLD TESTAMENT
1. Abel → Cain
Trigger: Acceptable worship
Response: Murder
Texts: Genesis 4:3–8; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12
Abel said nothing recorded. His offering—by faith and blood—condemned Cain’s heart.
“Cain was very angry.. and his countenance fell.” (Gen. 4:5)
2. Enoch → The World
Trigger: Walking with God
Response: Silent rejection, divine removal
Texts: Genesis 5:22–24; Jude 14–15
Enoch’s life itself was a sermon of judgment.
3. Noah → His Generation
Trigger: Righteous obedience, preaching judgment
Response: Mockery, disbelief
Texts: Genesis 6–7; 2 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:7
120 years of faithful warning—with zero converts.
Statistic:
-
What? Only 8 people saved out of an entire world (1 Peter 3:20)
4. Joseph → His Brothers
Trigger: God’s favor, integrity, truth
Response: Hatred, betrayal, slavery
Texts: Genesis 37; 39; 50:20
“They hated him even more.” (Gen. 37:8)
5. Moses → Pharaoh & Israel
Trigger: God’s authority and holiness
Response: Hardened heart, rebellion
Texts: Exodus 5–14; Numbers 14
Pharaoh hardened his heart 10 times (Exodus narrative).
6. Joshua & Caleb → Israel
Trigger: Faith-filled report
Response: Threats of stoning
Texts: Numbers 13–14
“All the congregation said to stone them with stones.” (Num. 14:10)
7. David → Saul
Trigger: God’s anointing, success, humility
Response: Jealous rage, attempted murder
Texts: 1 Samuel 18–26
“Saul eyed David from that day on.” (1 Sam. 18:9)
8. Elijah → Ahab & Jezebel
Trigger: Calling out idolatry
Response: Death threats
Texts: 1 Kings 18–19
“You troubler of Israel!” (1 Kings 18:17)
9. Micaiah → False Prophets
Trigger: Speaking God’s truth alone
Response: Imprisonment, abuse
Texts: 1 Kings 22
“Which way did the Spirit go…?” (1 Kings 22:24)
10. Isaiah → Judah
Trigger: Holiness and repentance preaching
Response: Tradition says martyrdom
Texts: Isaiah 6; Hebrews 11:37
11. Jeremiah → Kings & Priests
Trigger: Calling out false security
Response: Beatings, imprisonment
Texts: Jeremiah 20; 26; 38
“Let us strike him with the tongue.” (Jer. 18:18)
12. Daniel → Officials
Trigger: Faithfulness in prayer
Response: Legal trap, lions’ den
Texts: Daniel 6
13. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego → Babylon
Trigger: Refusal to bow
Response: Fiery furnace
Texts: Daniel 3
NEW TESTAMENT
14. John the Baptist → Herod
Trigger: Moral truth
Response: Imprisonment, execution
Texts: Matthew 14; Mark 6
“It is not lawful for you…” (Mark 6:18)
15. Jesus Christ → Everyone
Trigger: Truth, holiness, authority, mercy
Response: Hatred, crucifixion
Texts: Gospels
Statistics:
-
5,000 fed, yet crowds shouted “Crucify Him” (Luke 23:21)
“They hated Me without a cause.” (John 15:25)
Isaiah 53:3:
“Despised and rejected by men.”
16. The Apostles → Sanhedrin
Trigger: Resurrection preaching
Response: Arrests, beatings
Texts: Acts 4–5
“We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
17. Stephen was on-fire, filled with and controled by the Holy Spirit → Religious Leaders got ticked off. They reached for stones and flung em.
Trigger: Scriptural truth + conviction
Response: Stoning
Texts: Acts 6–7
“They were cut to the heart.” (Acts 7:54. Convicted, hated that, hated Jesus in Stephen)
He was the NT First Christian martyr.
18. Philip → Simon the Sorcerer
Trigger: True gospel power
Response: Covetous deception
Texts: Acts 8
19. Paul → Jews & Gentiles
Trigger: Grace, repentance, Christ alone
Response: Riots, beatings, imprisonment
Texts: Acts 13–28; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
Statistics from Paul’s own testimony:
-
5 times beaten with 39 lashes
-
3 times beaten with rods
-
Once stoned
-
Imprisoned often
“This sect is spoken against everywhere.” (Acts 28:22)
20. Early Church → Roman World
Trigger: Exclusive allegiance to Christ
Response: Persecution, martyrdom
Texts: Acts; 1 Peter; Revelation
Obeying Jesus Might Bring It On
| Righteous Action | - Fleshly Response |
|---|---|
| Faithful worship | Jealousy |
| Truth spoken | Rage |
| Holiness lived | Hatred |
| Light revealed | Violence |
Jesus said it plainly:
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you.” (Luke 6:26)
HYMNS & LYRICS BORN FROM THIS TRUTH
-
“Though none go with me, still I will follow” – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
-
“Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also” – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
-
“The cross before me, the world behind me”
FINAL WORD
John Stott wrote:
“The cross is not just the means of salvation; it is the model of discipleship.”
If Abel, the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles were all opposed for doing right, then Scripture prepares believers not for applause—but for faithfulness.
“All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
SUP WITH THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS, OF REAL LOVE IN THE LORD, IN PURITY, TRUTH AND LIGHT?
When Faithfulness Triggers Hostility.. What will you do?
Be bold in Jesus anyway.
AM TALKIN' ABOUT A PATTERN GOD NEVER HID
Text: John 3:19–20
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible records a consistent truth: God’s people are often opposed not for doing wrong, but for doing right. The hostility does not arise because believers are cruel, arrogant, or careless—but because light exposes what darkness prefers to keep hidden.
This is not new. This is not cultural. This is biblical.
I. ABEL: THE OFFENSE OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP
Text: Genesis 4:3–8; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12
Abel never preached a sermon. He never confronted Cain. He simply worshiped God in faith—and that was enough.
“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” (Heb. 11:4)
Cain’s anger was not theological confusion—it was moral exposure.
Distilled Insight:
* Faithful worship silently confronts unfaithful hearts.
Modern Parallel:
-
A believer honors God quietly at work, refuses compromise, and is labeled “judgmental.”
-
Integrity alone becomes an accusation.
II. NOAH: THE OFFENSE OF OBEDIENT FAITH
Text: Genesis 6–7; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5
Noah preached righteousness for 120 years with no visible success—except obedience.
“Moved with godly fear… he condemned the world.” (Heb. 11:7)
The ark itself was a rebuke.
Distilled Insight:
*Obedience that trusts God over popular opinion always looks foolish—until the rain falls.
Modern Parallel:
-
Biblical convictions are mocked as outdated.
-
Faithfulness is labeled as extremism.
III. JOSEPH & MOSES: THE OFFENSE OF GOD’S FAVOR
Texts: Genesis 37; Exodus 5–14
Joseph’s faithfulness provoked jealousy. Moses’ obedience provoked resistance—from Pharaoh and from God’s own people.
“Who made you a ruler and judge over us?” (Exod. 2:14)
Distilled Insight:
* God’s calling on your life will often irritate those who resist God’s authority.
Modern Parallel:
-
Leadership rooted in truth is often resented.
-
Faith-driven conviction is mistaken for arrogance.
IV. THE PROPHETS: THE OFFENSE OF TRUTHFUL WORDS
Texts: Jeremiah 20:7–10; 1 Kings 18:17; Amos 7:10
Elijah was called “the troubler of Israel.” Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned.
“Let us strike him with the tongue.” (Jer. 18:18)
Distilled Insight:
*The problem was never the tone—it was the truth.
Modern Parallel:
-
Speaking biblical truth is branded as “hate.”
-
Silence is praised; conviction is punished.
V. JESUS: THE OFFENSE OF PERFECT HOLINESS
Texts: John 15:18–25; Luke 23:21
Jesus healed, fed, forgave—and was crucified.
“They hated Me without a cause.” (John 15:25)
He did not merely challenge behavior—He exposed hearts.
Distilled Insight:
* The cross proves that goodness alone will not protect you from hatred.
Modern Parallel:
-
Christ is tolerated as a moral teacher, rejected as Lord.
-
Grace without repentance is welcomed; truth with authority is not.
VI. STEPHEN & PAUL: THE OFFENSE OF SCRIPTURAL CONVICTION
Texts: Acts 7; Acts 16–19; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
Stephen recited Israel’s history and showed their resistance to God. Paul preached grace—and riots followed.
“They were cut to the heart.” (Acts 7:54)
Distilled Insight:
*Conviction feels like violence to an unrepentant heart.
Modern Parallel:
-
Biblical preaching is labeled “triggering.”
-
Conviction is reframed as harm.
VII. THE PROMISE JESUS MADE—AND WE OFTEN FORGET
Text: 2 Timothy 3:12
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Jesus never promised applause—He promised presence.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:11)
Distilled Insight:
* Opposition is not proof of failure—it is often confirmation of faithfulness.
VIII. HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?
1. With Humility (1 Peter 3:15)
Speak truth without pride.
2. With Love (Romans 12:18)
Never repay offense with offense.
3. With Courage (Acts 4:20)
“We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
4. With Eternal Perspective (Hebrews 11:13)
Faithfulness is measured by heaven, not headlines.
If the gospel you preach never disturbs anyone, it may be because it never confronts anything.
The cross was never meant to be comfortable furniture—it was meant to be an instrument of death. And death, even redemptive death, is unsettling.
Jesus said it plainly, without apology or footnote:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
(1 Corinthians 1:18)
The gospel does not offend because Christians are harsh; it offends because truth collides with rebellion. Light does not argue with darkness—it exposes it.
“I Did Not Come to Bring Peace, but a Sword”
Few statements of Jesus unsettle modern readers more than this:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
(Matthew 10:34)
At first glance, it sounds jarring—even contradictory. Is this not the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)? The same Jesus who taught us to love enemies (Matthew 5:44), forgive lavishly (Matthew 18:21–22), and put away the literal sword (Matthew 26:52)?
Yes—and precisely because of that, this passage must be read carefully, reverently, and in context.
Jesus is not advocating violence. He is predicting division.
The Sword Is Not Steel—It Is Truth
John MacArthur rightly explains that the “sword” is a metaphor for spiritual separation, not physical aggression. Wherever Christ is truly embraced, a line is drawn. Allegiances shift. Priorities reorder. Relationships strain.
Truth, by its very nature, divides.
Light and darkness cannot coexist.
Grace and self-rule cannot share the throne.
Christ and the world will never sign a peace treaty.
Jesus warned that His gospel would cut even through the most intimate bonds:
“For I have come to turn a man against his father… a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
(Matthew 10:35–36; Micah 7:6)
Not because Christians seek conflict—but because Christ demands first place.
As MacArthur notes, the “sword” reveals the cost of discipleship. To follow Jesus is to choose Him above comfort, approval, reputation, and even family when loyalties collide (Matthew 10:37).
Jesus: A Divider by Design
Jesus has always been polarizing.
Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others said, “No, He deceives the people.”
(John 7:12)
Even His closest followers reported confusion about His identity (Matthew 16:14). The Pharisees themselves were divided over Him (John 9:16).
Why? Because truth forces a decision.
Paul echoes this unavoidable divide:
“What fellowship has light with darkness? … What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
(2 Corinthians 6:14–16)
Neutral ground does not exist. No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). To take up the cross is to lay down the world.
When the Sword Cuts Deep
For some, this division is not theoretical—it is personal.
Former Muslim apologist Nabeel Qureshi described his conversion to Christ as the most painful decision of his life. After trusting Jesus, he lost his family, his friends, and his entire community. He once prayed that God would take his life because the loss was so severe.
Yet his suffering did not disprove Jesus’ words—it confirmed them.
Around the world today, countless believers experience the same reality. And even in so-called “Christian cultures,” wholehearted obedience often invites mockery: “too serious,” “holier-than-thou,” “out of step.”
The sword still cuts.
Why This Should Comfort, Not Discourage
Jesus did not stumble into division—He predicted it. That means nothing you endure for His sake catches Him off guard.
Barna research consistently shows that cultural Christianity is declining, while convictional Christianity—though smaller—is more resilient, more sacrificial, and more mission-minded. Lukewarm faith evaporates under pressure; genuine faith endures.
As an old hymn reminds us:
“Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill—
God’s truth abideth still.”
— “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
The gospel wounds before it heals, confronts before it comforts, and divides before it unites—but it always saves.
Offend Sin, Not People—But Expect Resistance
We do not seek to offend any human. We seek to build bridges where we can, not burn em down. We speak with gentleness and respect to share the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). We pursue peace as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18).
But when faithfulness to Christ becomes offensive, we choose obedience to God's word over man's applause.
Better to be misunderstood by the world than disowned by heaven.
The gospel is not cruel—but it is uncompromising. It tells sinners the truth because love refuses to lie.
Jesus did not come to make everyone comfortable.
He came to make the dead alive.
And resurrection always follows a cross.
If the message you preach never costs anything, challenges anything, or divides anything—then it may not be the message Jesus preached at all.
The sword still swings.
The truth still separates.
And the Savior is still worth it all.
PLEASE PRAY WHEN OFFENDED
The question is not whether light will offend.
The question is whether we will still shine.
“Let your light so shine before men…” (Matt. 5:16)
“Though none go with me, still I will follow… no turning back.” Lyrics
When the topic somes up, some like to stomp out the door due to their pride.
Liney and I never even slightly force our faith upon anyone We always show respect to all parents, "But He (Jesus) said, 'Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14 amp
Hey parents, don't block or impede the children if they inquire about Jesus.
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14
I Prefer Well Thought Through Distilled Truth So To Speak:
* If Abel’s worship, Noah’s obedience, Jesus’ pure holiness, and Paul’s great preaching all provoked opposition, then our task is not to avoid offense—but to avoid unfaithfulness.
