I AM OFFENDED by so many people being offended!
We throw the word “offended” around so much these days that we have obfuscated its meaning.
Some take “offense” with flags and statues that refer to a dark part of our actual national history. Others take “offense” with people exercising their displeasure with social injustices by choosing not to stand during the national anthem. Still others take “offense” with others who fail to see their point of view and take their side in any issues.
What Is an “Offense”?
In a biblical sense, “offenses” translates the word skandalon from which we get our English word “scandal.” The word has two basic meanings. On the one hand it refers to causing someone to stumble or sin. On the other hand it refers to considering someone (usually Jesus) or something (usually the Gospel) worthless or undesirable. Neither scenario was considered a good thing.
Today, however, we claim offense when something runs contrary to the way we think it should. We equate an offense with disagreement or dislike.