READ: 1 Peter 2: 17-23
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! :-Matthew 18:7
All the problems in this world come from offended people. People are angered and bitter from experiences that they have had in life. People have bad experiences in churches, in ministries and in fellowships. These bad experiences that bring hurts, pain and bitterness are the foundations of tragic breakaways and rebellion in the church. All grumblers and murmurers are full of offence.
“Woe to the world” means “Trouble to the world.” All difficulties, all challenges and all wars in the world can be traced to some kind of offence. The First World War was started because the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was killed by some radical independents. The Second World War was started because Adolf Hitler felt that the Germans had been given a bad deal at the end of the First World War in the Treaty of Versailles. This was the reason for his starting a Second World War.
As you can see, the world is really in danger because people are hurt and offended. No one is exempted from the scourge of offence. Apostle Paul was offended many times in his ministry.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2 Corinthians 11:29
You cannot continue for long in the ministry without having a good reason to be offended. Jesus predicted offences! I can remember many occasions when I could have left the church. I have been offended many times. Indeed, I could say with Paul, “Who is offended and I burn not?” Each offence you experience is an opportunity to turn you into a monster.
You must keep your spirit pure and free of offence lest you metamorphose into the exact opposite of what you have believed.