19/06/2015 - AVOID OFFENDING SOMEONE

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Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  Matthew 18.7

This warning is much stronger than you can suppose. An offense is like the sin Adam committed in the Garden of Eden, when the devil was able to penetrate in our world. This type of behavior allows the enemy to come in the life of the person who was abused or led to error.  Without a doubt, he who causes harm to someone else was surely used by Satan to accomplish his perverse will, and at the same time, disturb the Lord´s plan. 

The offenses produce several effects and many bad examples. When Jeroboam made two golden calves and ordered Israel to worship them – according to the king, these were the gods that had taken them out of Egypt – not only did he harm his people, but the future generations as well ( 1 Kings 12:28). More than two hundred years later, the Israelites were taken to Assyria and never again did they occupy the land that was given to them. 

It is inevitable that situations which cause people to distance themselves from the Most High God take place, just as Jesus said. It is up to each one of God´s children to stay alert and pray in order not to fall into temptation (Mark 14:38), nor harm his descendents and others that come to know their error and adopt similar behavior. The evil ones will be deprived of the blessings that would be handed to them, in they had remained faithful. We can contribute for the good of people or for their wrongdoing. 

The one responsible for any work that leads to disgust in a person will pay a very high price. According to the Master, it would have been better if someone had killed this person, if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea (Mark 9:42).  His act is incomparably greater than the evil others might had done him. Only he who is not in his right mind is capable of obeying the devil. 

Those who spread the bad example are also part of the group of those who cause others to stumble. This is something the “gossipers” should think about before commenting on the downfall of other people. We cannot let ourselves be influenced, as if we were speakers, propagating other people’s mistakes. The servants of the Lord musk seek divine glory, and not Satan´s unquenchable lust. We are called to be peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9). 

The bad testimonies produced by a person who is saved, or that are spread by him, can exclude from God those that are offended. Maybe these people give in to sin, for what they saw or suffered serves as an incentive to disrespect the Lord, and closes them to any licit relationship approved by the Word. Trauma can last an entire life. However, a good deed gives condition to lead someone who is lost to come back and abide with those who are holy. 

Finally, every offense practiced by a Christian is like a stab in the back of the Lord. He called us for His eternal Kingdom, but, when we consciously allow the devil to use us, we commit a mistake that is difficult to be forgiven. Therefore, the secret is to run away from all things that come from the evil one, because every crime will have its punishment. Be wise and please the Father! 

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares