A Rock of Offence

Many time the areas the Holy Spirit wants us to explore are instituted by something we read or hear.  On this occasion, it was an article posted on the Elijah List entitled "Ouch - That Hurt!" by Susan Gaddis ( http://eternalfoundations.com) dated December 6, 2004.  It included a testimonial by Francis Frangipane who informs us that Susan Gaddis and her husband, Tom, have pastored Atascadero Foursquare Church in Atascadero, California, for over 29 years and that he met them in 2003.  He further says "Susan's gift in communicating Biblical truths with humility and grace will become very evident to you as you read today's article, which came from her newly published book, Help! I'm Stuck with These People for the Rest of Eternity (Arrow Publications)."  The subject was offense, or offence, as it is spelled in the KJV.

Susan Gaddis looks like a nice person and her web site is pleasing yet functional, without the overabundance of frills and furbelows so often found on 'ministry' sites.  That being said, let us proceed to examine her 'teaching.' (Her entire article may be viewed by clicking here.)

She begins by relating a painful personal experience where she got her feelings hurt.    The way she relates this incident shows immediately where she is 'coming from' in this regard, but we will deal with that later, when she brings it up again.  The important thing is, she admits that her 'feelings' were hurt.  That she considers 'hurt feelings' to be an instance of being 'offended' is clear.  This idea is reiterated in the next section when she asks a question:

"WHY DOES GOD ALLOW DIVISION AND DISUNITY TO TAKE PLACE?
All of us have had our feelings hurt at some point or another. Even Paul and Barnabas had their very verbal disagreements in the midst of missionary service, so we are in good company. In the book of Acts, the first "deacon board" was formed for the specific purpose of dealing with a group of widows who were offended because their needs weren't being met by the church. So, hurt feelings, disagreements, and people getting upset have been a part of church life for a very long time! 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 addresses this problem:

"But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you (NASB, italics mine)."

God allows disunity and division among His people so that it will reveal those who know how to rightly process conflict and those who don't! People who handle offenses with Scriptural integrity are those who are more qualified and approved for leadership in the Kingdom of God. Leaders will be recognized by their ability to wisely handle disagreements and strife in their own relationships, as well as in the corporate body.

Few churches follow this process for evaluating possible leadership, but it is one of the main qualifiers set down in the Word of God. Understanding how to deal with offense is crucial to all mature relationships in the kingdom."

Actually the word 'factions' is 'heresies' in the KJV.  [Strongs 139 - "hairesis" - 1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city  2) choosing, choice  3) that which is chosen  4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)  4a) of the Sadducees  4b) of the Pharisees  4c) of the Christians 5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims.] 

From the very beginning of 1 Corinthians, it is the forming of factions, or sects that Paul is talking about, not dealing with divisions.  [For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you .]  In other words, those who do not form sects over every disagreement are approved as being the type of leader God wants in His church. 

Acknowledging that factions and division happen is NOT the same as God 'allowing' it, except in the sense that God 'allowed' Eve to eat the fruit.  In fact, far from worrying about tools to 'process' division, Paul's ultimate statement on divisions was this: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  (1 Corinthians 1:10)  Paul also makes plain the source of divisions: "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3)  The answer to division in the Body of Christ is to stop it.  If we are truly following the Word of God, and walking in the Spirit, not in the flesh, we are in unity and there will be no division.

The Merriam-Webster's dictionary give the following for offense:
of·fense or of·fence Function: noun
1 a obsolete : an act of stumbling
   b archaic : a cause or occasion of sin : STUMBLING BLOCK
2 : something that outrages the moral or physical senses
3 a : the act of attacking : ASSAULT
   b : the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score
   c : the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions
   d : scoring ability
4 a : the act of displeasing or affronting
   b : the state of being insulted or morally outraged <takes offense at the slightest criticism>
5 a : a breach of a moral or social code : SIN, MISDEED
   b : an infraction of law; especially : MISDEMEANOR

One must understand, however, that the Merriam-Webster's is not our authority.  To understand the Biblical meaning of offense, we must look to the Scriptures.  To properly understand Scripture, it is frequently necessary to examine the original language to arrive at a proper definition.  That brings us to our next section:
"UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF "OFFENSE"
The Scriptures use several different words for our one word, "offense." Each paints a word picture to help us better understand the meaning of offense. In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words are used:

(1) "Mikshoh" means "a stumbling block" or "to fall." This is a true description of offense because a person always stumbles within before he stumbles in his outward reactions. This is why we often refer to offense as "hurt feelings."

(2) "Pasha" means "to break away from just authority" or "to trespass." Unfortunately, offense often happens when we overstep our boundaries or trespass on another's personal boundaries. Clearly, rebellion has offense at its core."

 The additions to the definition of 'Mikshoh' (better 'mikshol') of the idea of 'hurt feelings' is a fabrication.  No such connection exists in the Hebrew.  The surmise that 'pasha' as trespass or rebellion has anything to do with 'personal boundaries' is also a fabrication.  The word simply means to 'offend' against the law.

The way Susan Gaddis presents these words, it appears that they are the only words used for offense in the Old Testament.  Actually there are eighteen occurrences of "offence, offences, offend or offended' in the Old Testament KJV.  Out of those eighteen, there are EIGHT Hebrew words of which 'mikshol' is used twice - 'Pasha' once.  Is this deliberate misrepresentation - or sloppy scholarship?

She continues:
"In the New Testament, the Greek word "skandalizo" is used and means to "entrap, trip up, to stumble, and entice to sin." It is from skandalizo that our English word "scandal" originates. Offense is a trap: once caught up in it, one finds it hard to untangle the resulting mess. In addition, offense is often the welcome mat to all sorts of temptations in life."

Here again, Mrs. Gaddis makes it appear that 'skandalizo' is the only word for 'offense' used in the New Testament.  This simply not true.  There are 9 other Greek words translated 'offense, offences, offended, offender.'  They are: skandalon, aproskopos, proskope, proskomma, hamartia, hamartano, paraptoma, ptaio, and adikeo.  Also, 'skandalizo' more properly relates to the English scandalize, while 'skandalon' relates to scandal.  For the purpose of establishing a Biblical definition for 'offense' we will give the following brief definitions.  The Strong's entries for all of these words are available, with notation of the verses where they appear in the KJV by clicking here (as well as a dowloadable .rtf file).

skandalon - a trap stick or snare that is in the way and apt to be stumbled over.
proskope, proskomma, - a stumbling block, a cause of sinning while aproskopos, adds the prefix meaning 'not' - therefore NOT being a stumbling block, or cause to sin
hamartia, hamartano - missing the mark, being mistaken or in error
paraptoma - to fall, lapse or deviate
ptaio - to fall, or cause one to fall
adikeo - hurt, wrong or doer of the same

All of these words have a common thread - sin.  Offense, in a Scriptural sense, involves sinning, or being the cause of sin.  Jesus was called a rock of offence - a SKANDALON.  Does Jesus entice to sin?  No.  But, by his presence the sin of the Pharisees was made manifest.  They 'stumbled' into sin because they refused to see Jesus for who he was - the true cornerstone.

"Offense lies at the root of most interpersonal relationship problems, both with others and with God. It was the first reaction of Satan as he initiated and nurtured pride in his heart. It led to his rebellion against the Lord and God's subsequent rejection and condemnation of him. Offense is the explanation for the old sin nature operating in our lives and often the reason we fail to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is usually the first door Satan uses in bringing temptations to someone's life."

Let's see now.  Did God entrap, trip up, to stumble, satan and entice satan to sin?  Or did God hurt satan's feelings, and therefore cause satan to rebel??  And just WHERE in Scripture does it say that satan fell because he was offended?  Satan wasn't the one offended, he WAS an offence.  (Matthew 16:23)

"TWO COMMANDS
Offense will destroy a spiritual building project faster than any other form of destruction. Knowing this, God gives us two commands to keep His house design intact. The first command is found in 1 Corinthians 10:32: "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God" (NASB). This is a simple command - don't offend anyone.

The second command is found in Philippians 1:10: "That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ" (NKJV). This also is a simple command - don't get offended.

Two simple commands that are almost impossible to obey! We aren't allowed to give offense or to be offended, yet God wouldn't have said these things if they were unattainable. Everything that we need to know about handling offense can be learned as we evaluate our lives and look to the Scriptures. Once we know some of the danger areas and signs of offense, we can search the Scriptures for God's how-to instructions concerning offense and follow them."

It is interesting to note here, that although Mrs. Gaddis gives ONE definition for 'offence' - "skandalizo' - NEITHER of these verses have that word in them!

The word translated 'offense' in both verses is:
Strongs # 677 - aproskopos
1)      having nothing to strike against, not causing to stumble
1a)     of a smooth road
1b)     metaph. of not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life
2)      not striking against or stumbling
2a)     metaph. not led into sin, blameless
3)      without offense, not troubled by a consciousness of sin

Therefore the proper way to interpret offence in this case is as follows:
Corinthians 10:32: "Give no cause to sin nor any leading into sin either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God"

Philippians 1:10: "That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without giving cause to sin or being lead into sin till the day of Christ" (NKJV).

These commands are neither impossible, nor unattainable.  They are - or should be - a regular part of any believer's lifestyle.  If, however, you define offense as hurt feelings, then it is, indeed, a practical impossibility.  Fortunately for us, that is not what these verses mean.

""DANGER! DO NOT ENTER"
All of us have areas in our lives where we can easily be offended or can easily give offense. These are the arenas where we must be on the alert for offense to happen. One such arena is the area of unmet expectations. Usually, it is a lack of communication that lies at the bottom of unmet expectations."

How do 'unmet expectations' get turned into enticing to sin or causing to stumble??  In the examples given by Mrs. Gaddis, the people getting offended do so because others are not doing things the way they want them done.  This can indeed cause problems, but it does not necessarily follow that anyone is sinning.  In the first example she notes:
"Mary found herself getting very offended with her husband when they were first married because he never took out the garbage. In her family, it was always the men who took out the garbage. She didn't know that in his family it had always been the women. Mary had an unmet expectation based on her own unspoken rule."

According to Mrs. Gaddis the two commands are "don't offend anyone" and "don't get offended."  The wife was 'offended' by her husband.  Was she in sin for this??  Was this husband in sin for not taking out the garbage?  Was he enticing his wife to sin by not taking out the garbage??  No.  While there was undoubtedly hurt feelings here, neither was necessarily sinning in a Biblical sense.  Nor were they 'offending' in the Biblical sense.

In the second example, she says:
"I recently talked with a pastor who was offended because his elders were not doing things the way the pastor expected and appeared to be overstepping their authority. I asked him if he had given his elders a job description and he replied that he had not.

Since boundary lines had not been clearly defined, people were unknowingly causing offense. This was his fault, not theirs. His frustrations could have been avoided through proper communication and clearly defined expectations. This would also have allowed the elders to think through their own expectations before discussion of any discrepancies with the pastor."

If the fault was with the pastor, why does she charge the elders with 'unknowingly' causing offense?  Once again, there is no real evidence of enticement to sin or sin on the part of anyone here.  If all of these men simply asked God what they should be doing in their capacity and did it, and let the others do the same, the problem would disappear.

Next, Mrs. Gaddis brings up a very touchy subject:

"CONFRONTATION: HOW TO DO SO IN LOVE
Confrontation is another danger area for offense. No one likes to be confronted and most of us don't like to confront others. However, confrontation is a part of life. Love confronts. God confronted us when He gave us the Ten Commandments. Confrontation has to be done if people are to grow. How it is done is what determines if offense or growth results. If we know that confrontation is an area where offense can occur, then we need to evaluate the way we confront others and how we receive confrontation."

It is never pleasant to have our faults and sins pointed out to us - regardless of who does the pointing. p; It is easier, certainly, to have them pointed at calmly and in soft words.  However, that is frequently not the case.  The simple fact is, the truth is the truth, regardless of the delivery of the message or the demeanor of the messenger.  The Pharisees clearly got offended with Jesus' delivery and message (Matt 15) - but that didn't change the truth.  Remember Mrs. Gaddis' two commands - "don't offend anyone" and "don't get offended."  Did Jesus sin by 'offending' the Pharisees??  Was it Jesus' fault the Pharisees 'stumbled' into sin over Him?

In the next paragraph we come to a matter that is causing a great deal of trouble in the Body of Christ:
"The avalanche of criticism mentioned at the beginning of this chapter might have gone much differently if my friend had approached me with a less self-righteous attitude. While her comments contained some truths, they were missed because of her cutting words. A few compliments thrown in could have softened the blow and allowed me to evaluate her observations. I needed to know that behind her confrontation was a heart that was for me and not against me."

Lets jump back now to Mrs, Gaddis original descriptions of this incident:
"My husband, Tom, and I had been involved in ministry only a few years when I experienced the betrayal of a friend from church.

"You know, I wouldn't say this if I didn't love you," was her introduction to a very destructive avalanche of criticism. It came as quite a shock as I had naively believed that Christians didn't do this type of thing."

It is obvious that Mrs. Gaddis got her feelings badly hurt.  What is less obvious is that she still has hurt feelings over the matter.  What type of picture of her 'friend' is Mrs. Gaddis giving us??  Look at the words she uses - the term 'betrayal' - 'a very destructive avalanche of criticism' - her friend's 'self-righteous attitude' - 'her cutting words.'   We have only these words to decide the motives and heart of the woman in question - she might be a very nice person.

Remember, this woman was supposed to be a friend.  She started out telling Mrs. Gaddis "... I wouldn't say this if I didn't love you ..."  Mrs. Gaddis complains "I needed to know that behind her confrontation was a heart that was for me and not against me."  What does "I love you" mean if not "I am for you?"  What kind of friend would NOT tell you if they saw you doing something sinful or harmful?

Mrs. Gaddis makes two statements that show her mindset:
 "It came as quite a shock as I had naively believed that Christians didn't do this type of thing."
and
"A few compliments thrown in could have softened the blow and allowed me to evaluate her observations."

This misguided attitude is at the root of many problems in the Church today.  There is a 'teaching' that Jesus gave a model for correction in the book of Revelation, in the messages to the seven churches.  This teaching contends that Jesus started telling each church something GOOD they were doing before he corrected them.  Unfortunately, that idea does not hold up to thorough scrutiny.  It is true that Jesus had some good to say about Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira before He rebuked them, but He had no rebuke for Smyrna and Philadelphia and no praise for the Laodiceans.  In Sardis, there is only 'a few' that are commended AFTER he rebukes the rest.

If you look at the Gospels (the RED letters), you see that Jesus had nothing good to say about the Pharisees.  Nor did He compliment the Sadducees or the Herodians.  For that matter, He did not start His rebukes to His disciples with nice words, either. [Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 16:5-12)

Now, this does not excuse being nasty and deliberately rude to people.  You can make matters clear to people without resorting to name calling and angry tirades.  But 'harshness' is in the ears of the hearer.  We are sure that the Pharisees considered Jesus 'harsh' in what He spoke to them. 

For that matter consider the reactions to Jesus' discourse in John 6:28-59.  Verse 60 reads: Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  The word translated 'hard' is Strongs 4642 skleros - hard, harsh, rough, stiff.  When said of men it is a metaphor for harsh, stern, hard.  How did Jesus react to this charge?  John 6:61: When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? Which leads to the famous verse of John 6:66 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Perhaps Jesus should have given them all some compliments to soften the blow and allow them to evaluate his words.

It seems that Mrs. Gaddis had unmet, unrealistic expectations about how things are supposed to be done in the Church and among friends, and therefore she was offended when things didn't happen as she wanted or expected.  In the same way, the Pharisees were stumbled when Jesus didn't act or react according to their expectations.  She might be better off to explore the possibility that she still harbors unforgiveness toward her 'friend.'

Mrs. Gaddis continues her 'danger areas' with this observation:
"THE DANGERS OF ASSUMPTION
Assumption can also be a danger area for most of us. Sally had been sick for a number of years with an undefined illness. Her friend, Jean, confidently expressed her belief that Sally's illness was directly related to a dietary fast Sally had been following. Jean felt the fast was undermining Sally's health.

What Jean did not know was that the fast was only a few weeks long and that it had been completed. The type of fast Sally had chosen had been through a doctor's recommendation. Jean ended up looking rather foolish because she had not researched her facts before she gave her opinion. She assumed something that was not true. Sally ended up feeling offended and under Jean's judgment.

Often, we fail to get the facts of a situation and we assume something that may not be true. We infer things that are not there. Poor decisions based on assumption are often the result. I have friends who left their church because they assumed that no one there liked them. Others have assumed negative things about a person without hearing the person's full story. We must be careful not to be offended about something for which we do not have all the information."

Assumptions are indeed dangerous. Especially when one assumes that a particluar definition applies to a situation, when it doesn't.

This article started with an incident that hurt her feelings.  She says:
"Confused, I began to search the Scriptures for instructions on how I was supposed to process this pain. There had to be answers somewhere within the pages of the 66 books of the Bible.

Slowly, over nine months, my notebooks were filled with Scripture passages related to offense. I began to experience healing as God's Word was applied. I learned more in the process than I had bargained for, as God wanted to address further arenas than just my hurt feelings.

Categories emerged that addressed all aspects of offense. This chapter and the next are the result of those nine months of study. Of course, it is taking years for me to actually put all this stuff into practice, but the results in my relationships have been well worth the effort."

Mrs.Gaddis claims 'I began to search the Scriptures for instructions' and 'over nine months, my notebooks were filled with Scripture passages related to offense.'  She gives the definition of 'skandalizo' for offense and proceeds to add hurt feelings to the Biblical definition - when it is simply NOT THERE.  She has assumed that all of the Merriam-Webster definitions of 'offense' apply, when in reality, it is only 1 and 5 that have anything at all to do with the Scriptural meaning of offense.  As noted earlier, all of these words translated offense have a common thread - sin.

The danger areas finish up with:
"HORMONAL OR CHEMICAL IMBALANCE
A final danger area worth mentioning is the time when our bodies are experiencing a hormonal or chemical imbalance. Many people suffer a chemical imbalance when their serotonin levels are depleted, usually a result of stress. A woman's monthly cycle can bring on hormonal imbalances that create an atmosphere for offense for her and for all those around her.

Because this is an occasional danger area for me, I have learned to give myself pep talks before I go out in public. At least once a month, on a Sunday morning, I will lecture myself before service, "Susan, don't talk about anything serious with anyone. Smile, nod and be silent.

SIGNS THAT WE HAVE BECOME OFFENDED
Sometimes we are oblivious to the fact that we have become offended. One of the indications that we have just entered a "Danger, Do Not Enter" area of offense can be a feeling of irritation. Frustration is often a signal that we are getting offended. Defensiveness is another caution, because if our thought life is in a defensive mode, then we are probably offended. Putting up walls in a relationship or distancing oneself from family, friends, and church activities is another warning sign."

Is irritability or frustration really an offense, a sin?? 
Luke 9:40-41 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.  And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
Does Jesus sound a bit irritated and frustrated to you?  Read Mark 14:32-42 and see if you see the sarcasm in verse 41.

Besides that fact, we are supposed to have self-control as mature believers.  Hormonal or chemical imbalances do not excuse poor behavior.  All of these things are open to improvement, and irritability and the like can be a stumblingblock, depending on how they are handled.  But this is a maturity issue, not an offense issue.

"The problem of offense is only going to increase as the end times approach. Years ago, Campbell McAlpine was teaching on offense at our church and explained how Matthew 24:10 was written to believers concerning the end times: "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (KJV).

Note the progression in this verse: offense leads to betrayal, which leads to hatred. Because of this pattern, Campbell stated that, "Every offended Christian is a potential betrayer.""

Interesting to note that the 'betrayer,' was her friend, according to Mrs. Gaddis' own words in her opening example.  The friend was the offender, and she was the offended one.

"Satan's strategy is always to divide and conquer the relationships of believers through offense. Luke writes of Paul's encounters with offense and betrayal in Acts 24 and includes Paul's statement in verse 16: "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men" (NKJV).

May this be our commitment also: to have a conscience that is free of offense."

First of all, in this chapter, Paul is speaking in his own behalf to Felix, having been accused by Ananias the high priest, the elders, and a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. These men are NOT believers.  Secondly, Paul is not referring to events in his life, but to his own personal beliefs and behavior.  This verse has been taken out of context.

And once again, the original Greek word here is not skandalizo but aproskopos - not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life - not troubled by a consciousness of sin.  Indeed may we all, like Paul, strive to have a conscience not troubled by a consciousness of sin toward God and men and not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life.

"THREE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR OFFENSE
People plan weddings, vacations, and retirement; however, no one wakes up in the morning with the thought, "I think I'll get offended today." We don't intend for offense to happen. Unfortunately, neither do we take precautions to avoid offense. It just happens! Yet, the Scriptures give three different ingredients as preventative measures in our lives for offense:

(1) God's Word,
(2) A renewed mind, and
(3) The use of prudence, knowledge, and discernment

Psalm 119:165 states, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (KJV). This Scripture contains both a promise and a condition. It is one of those "if ____, then _____" verses discussed in Chapter One. If I love God's Word (the condition), then nothing will be able to offend me (the promise)! How does this work?

The more we get God's Word into our mind and heart, the more peace reigns in our lives. Things that used to offend us no longer are an issue. God's Word has become the deciding force of our personal identity, not what others say or think about us. We have to allow His Word, also called a "two-edged sword," to work as a scalpel within our attitudes and motives, cutting off all patterns of thinking that are different than what Scripture declares. This is how we become conformed into His image."

The word for offense here is the Hebrew Mikshol - a stumbling block or an occasion of stumbling.  In other words, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall cause them to stumble into sin."  It has nothing to do with getting your feelings hurt.  It is the walking according to the Word of God that arms us against sin.

"In John 16:1 Jesus states it this way, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended" (KJV).

Jesus said many things during His life here on earth. However, the totality of Scripture also represents Christ, because one of His names is Word of God (see Revelation 19:13). He intentionally told us many things so that we would listen, follow His instructions, and not become offended."

Here, at last, the word offense is skandalizo.  But to what is Jesus referring?  What 'things' had he just finished speaking to the disciples?  In the previous chapter Jesus tells the disciples many things.  Among them are the following. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Abide in me, and I in you. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

All these things - and one could include Chapter 14 as well - Jesus told them that they might not be enticed into sin, or stumble because of what would happen to them in the future.  Not once does Jesus mention them not getting their feelings hurt.  In fact, in the very next verse, he warns them how they will be ejected from the synagogue and killed.  Why?  It isn't personal, it is because they hate the Master the disciples serve.   So why should they get hurt feelings about it??  This is true maturity.

"The Scriptures are to act like positive pressure within our personalities, resisting any other pressure coming against us. A balloon will stay blown up as long as the pressure inside the balloon is greater than the pressure pushing against it from its surface. If the outside pressure becomes greater than the pressure within, the balloon will pop.

In the same way, God's Word is to become a positive force within us. As long as this pressure is greater than any stress we are experiencing from without, we won't cave in."

This is a misconception.  If we are truly rooted and grounded in Jesus, no pressure, no stress, NOTHING can cause us to stumble.  The enemy can go so far as to kill you, but even that cannot defeat you.

"GOD'S WORD ENABLES US TO DISCERN GOOD FROM EVIL
Knowing God's Word involves more than just reading the Bible. We have to practice what we learn from our study of the Scriptures. Hebrews 5:11-14 further identifies the practice of God's Word as the agent that will enable us to discern good from evil.

    "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (NIV, italics mine)."

 Over time, you will find maturity happening in your life as you continue to put these Scriptures into practice."

Paul also says "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  (2 Timothy 2:15)  Indeed, knowing God's Word involves more than just reading the Bible.  It includes getting proper definitions of terms, to assure that we are really understanding what we read.  Mrs. Gaddis advises "An example of practicing God's Word on a constant basis would be to carefully study the Scriptures  ... Then, whenever you have an opportunity to be offended, make a decision to respond according to the instruction of these Scriptures, rather than how you might have reacted in the past."

It is too bad she did not take her own advice.  With no more than a Strong's Concordance and six or eight hours, we learned what Mrs. Gaddis never did figure out.  Had she, in her nine months of Bible study, actually looked up all the verses, the original Greek for each word and put all of the meanings together, she would have learned that in the Scriptures, offense has nothing to do with hurt feelings, affront or outrage.  It is all about not stumbling into sin or causing others to stumble into sin.

"You will also find that you are able to distinguish good and evil in your actions and reactions with others. You will know when you are reacting in a way contrary to God's way when you encounter an offense, and you will know when you have responded in a good way. The evil motives or misunderstood good motives of others will be much easier to discern as you continue to actively respond to offenses according to scriptural instruction."

When you encounter an offense - a stumbling block - you must simply avoid it.  Step around it and continue on your way.  The motives of others are really immaterial to the issue.  If you walk by the spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

"TWO: RENEW YOUR MIND
The second preventative measure for offense is the renewing of your mind. Your mind did not become saved along with your spirit; it still thinks and processes things according to old habit patterns. Romans 12:2 states that our minds have to be transformed in order to discern God's will in various situations.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (NIV).

Transformation happens the more our minds are renewed to think the way God thinks.

It is within our old thinking patterns that Satan uses his tricks to rope us into offense. 2 Corinthians 2:11 advises us to be aware of this danger. "Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (NKJV).

The word "devices" in this verse is better translated from the Greek as "mind devices." Any area of our mind that is not renewed to God's way of thinking is a place where Satan can influence us. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 provides directions on how to renew our minds: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (KJV, italics mine).""

While this section may be essentially true, it is not simply by our own effort that makes it possible for our minds to be renewed. Our effort alone cannot renew our minds. Paul also says "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. " 1 Corinthians 2:16
AND
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:5-8

We have the mind of Christ - the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things.  As we walk in obedience and humility we will follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit and not stumble or be enticed into sin.

"6 STEPS TO RENEWING YOUR MIND
This will not be easy! You must be committed to doing the following:

1. Tune into your reactions to people and situations. Ask yourself, "What am I feeling, and why am I feeling this way?""

Feelings are NOT facts.  We do not live by our feelings.  Our feelings can and do mislead us.  In fact, our feelings may actually be the thing that causes us to stumble.

"2. Listen to your self-talk. What is the inner conversation going on in your mind? Does it sound like "the peace of God" type of talk or is it more along the lines of defensiveness and frustration?"

One would be better advised to listen the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

"3. After you have tuned into your thoughts and feelings, try to identify the wrong reasonings and thought patterns that are contrary to scriptural ways of reasoning.

4. Once you have identified the thinking that is exalting itself above the way that God would have you think, simply refuse to listen to these wrong ways of thinking.

5. Replace these wrong ways of thinking with the Scriptures from this chapter and the next concerning God's ways of processing offense.

6. Act out the instructions of these Scriptures. Do what the Word says! Refuse to do things the way you have in the past! Only then will you find maturity happening in your life, and only then will you be on the preventative side of offense!"

All of this good advice hinges on knowing what the Scriptures REALLY say.  Mrs. Gaddis' article is woefully lacking in breadth and knowledge.  If this is all she gained from nine months of study - not to mention a L.I.F.E. Bible College education, one can see why she has had such a hard time renewing her mind.

"THREE: MOVING IN KNOWLEDGE, PRUDENCE, DISCERNMENT
The third preventative measure for offense is to move in knowledge, prudence, and discernment whenever we encounter an occasion for offense. Prudence is the ability to look right through a situation and see both sides of it at the same time. Someone has said that it is insight that draws a godly conclusion."

pru·dence Function: noun
1 : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2 : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3 : skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4 : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

"Philippians 1:9-10 states, "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense (giving cause to sin or being lead into sin [our addition]) till the day of Christ" (KJV, italics mine).

The ability to move in this type of discernment and wisdom is a direct result of practicing the first two preventative measures. Once you have begun to act on God's Word that you have put into your heart and mind, and have begun to see your mind renewed, then prudence and discernment will accompany your relationships."

Jesus was called a 'skandalon' in Scripture.  How can that be?  James writes "Let no man say when he is tempted,  I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:   But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."  James 1:13-14 

Jesus was the stone, placed in the way for men to stumble over - that they must fall.  Skandalon is figuratively applied to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah, that they rejected him and by their obstinacy made shipwreck of their salvation.  It is little different today.

"A good example of knowledge, prudence, and discernment is Solomon's comment in Ecclesiastes 7:21-22. "Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you -- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others" (NIV).

This is one Scripture we should all memorize and practice!"

How about this one instead?
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

If you read the Gospels, Jesus hurt people's feelings, got irritated, frustrated and angry. He caused others to be offended - He is the stumbling stone, the rock of offense. If we apply the standards Susan Gaddis has put forward in her article to Jesus, He was a sinner. And that, obviously, is false. Therefore, the premise of this article is false.

The problem with this article - and, presumably the book as well if this article is any example - is that it is based on shabby scholarship and incorrect exegesis.  Yet this woman is being extolled as a leader and teacher  by the Elijah List and Francis Frangipane.  How can those calling themselves leaders be so foolish?  Do they not read the Bible?  How many of the tens of thousands of people have read this article and now think getting your feelings hurt is a sin?  How many more think that if the truth they speak hurt anothers feelings they are causing another to sin?  How many, in fact, have been caused to stumble over the falsehood in this article, represented as truth?

This article is, in itself, an offense to the Body of Christ.  Whether it hurts her feelings or no, that doesn't change the truth - this teaching is wrong, period.

Now, before you get your feelings hurt over what we have written, consider this:
If you defend Susan Gaddis and what she has written here, you cannot - according to her standards - get angry or get your feelings hurt by what we have written.  If you do, you have sinned.  And if your response hurts our feelings, you have sinned again.  Nor can Susan Gaddis get hurt feelings over what we have written, or she is a hypocrite.

See how silly that is??

The truth hurts sometimes.  But love - true love that cares more for the welfare of the person who is the object of that love - will not let the possibility of hurt feelings stop the speaking of the truth.  Because we love the Body of Jesus Christ, we have spoken the truth, in the love of the Father.

If you stumble over the truth, it is not our fault, you need to take that up with GOD.

In the Fear of the Lord
Makkehelah and Seraphah
12/20/04

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   Ephesians 6:23-24