To some truth is offensive. To those who love God, however, the error is offensive while the truth is loved. The righteous have righteous indignation toward false doctrine. The Bible says of Christ, “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness” (Heb. 1:9; cp. Psa. 45:7). The Psalmist said, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way” (Psa. 119:104).
Error causes division, doubt, and damnation. It divides those who formerly walked together (1 Jn. 2:19). It drives men to doubt the word of God (cp. Gen. 3:1-6). It damns souls to hell (2 Thes. 2:9-12; 2 Pet. 2:1-3). What could be more offensive?! Therefore, we find it more than odd when brethren object to exposing error (Eph. 5:11).
God is offended by error, so must we be (1 Pet. 1:16). Something is terribly flawed when a Christian is not offended by error. It may be that he is rotting within, being filled with worldliness (Mk. 7:20-23). He may esteem “the praise of men more than the praise God” (Jn. 12:43). Regardless of the reason, the result is the same: becoming an offense to God ourselves. Does error offend you?
Steven F. Deaton
