Be Gentle to All
Proverbs 18:19
“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.”
If you are a Christian and you share your faith with others, let me give you some advice, which is not really my advice but God’s. Do not purposefully offend others. It is true that God’s Word offends the world, but we are to be gentle to all, able to teach with a humble spirit so people may know that we sincerely love them.
When you offend someone a wall goes up and it no longer matters what you say, it will not get through. You might make perfect sense but because you offended that person, they want nothing to do with you and your words will fall to the ground.
Many have zeal without knowledge, and although they mean well, they lack understanding and do more damage than good. Like Peter in his zeal for Christ, they cut off the ear of the unsaved and make it even harder for them to hear the truth. Only the love of Christ can heal their wounds from an unnecessary offense.
So what am I saying, to at no cost offend others? Certainly not, since the preaching of the cross is an offense to the world, and truth convicts sinners, producing anger. What I am saying is you must speak the truth in love, with a humble spirit, so the person may know that you genuinely care for their soul. So yes, preach the whole truth of God with boldness; by no means compromise the Scriptures, but drench your life of preaching with acts of love, showing that you live the gospel you are proclaiming. Sacrifice often, buy gifts for others, serve the needy, clothe the naked, and love your enemies, praying for those who persecute you; and never quit proclaiming the good news of the cross of Christ!
Blessed Hope Chapel 