KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18:7 (KJV). “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”

In our previous study we considered offences that come as a result of contrary actions of close associates. We now look at offences that proceed as a result of the differences between two persons saying the same thing from a different perspective. There are also cases where the two parties are not antagonizing each other yet they see things differently. These issues can also result in offences.

In the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, there came a very sharp rift between them, because they were seeing John Mark with different views. “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”— Acts 15:39 (KJV) These were not people who hated each other, they were viewing the same thing from different sides. The cause of this kind of differences is temperamental.

There are couples who are not necessarily enemies but because of differences of temperaments or other differences find themselves conflicting over issues, and as a result they hurt one another. One wants the house painted white, the other wants it light green, and so there comes sharp differences. Some run into conflicts over how to discipline their children.

WHY should such things happen? Once again, the cause of this is selfishness. To solve such an issue, the parties must give up their individualistic stands to see the bigger advantage of the two or the family. The other approach to solving this is the one with a lesser authority to allow the view of the one with a higher authority, like the husband to prevail over, the wife’s view. God’s word always has instructions on what to do in various situations. Please know that God’s word remains your strongest counsel for victory, so choose it and win. If you fail to accept divine instructions, you would suffer from offences that may end up destroying you.

Thought: CHOOSE to be selfless and you would have the right mind to always act rightly.

FURTHER STUDIES

 James 3:17 (KJV). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Romans 12:10 (KJV). “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”