A growing number of companies are pulling off their ads from YouTube. The issue is about certain video channels that they consider “offensive.” That is, they do not want their ads to appear on these channels that, in their estimation, runs counter to what their company stands for. In other words, they do not want to be identified with videos that promote values or messages with which they have serious disagreement.
I do not wish to enter into all the discussions and debates about what is considered offensive. But reading of this current issue got me to thinking about this whole issue of offensive speech or behavior. It seems that whether or not we offend someone is such a big deal these days.
On the one hand, we may commend any person or group who is willing to make a stand for what they believe in. And how people respond to what they consider offensive could range from meekly ignoring it to aggressively opposing it. On the other hand, we also may need to realize that there exist a variety of viewpoints and value-systems, many of which may stand in contradiction or opposition to each other. The truth is, what one may consider offensive may not necessarily be wrong or bad, but simply different from their preference.
Jesus himself had to face those who “took offense at him” (Matthew 13.57), such that he reminds his own disciples, “Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Luke 7.23 NET). Scripture also acknowledges that Christ and the gospel was (and still continues to be) an offense to many. Christ is described as a “rock of offense” (Romans 9.33 and 1 Peter 2.8 ESV). The apostle Paul describes the message of the crucified Christ as “a stumbling block [or, an offense] to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1.23 NIV).
The gospel is not intended to be offensive. But it does make absolute and resolute claims about Jesus, his authority, and his exclusive role as mediator between God and humankind. Naturally, there will be those who will reject the gospel’s claims and take offense to it.
Perhaps it is worth taking the time to pause and consider what it is that could cause us to take offense, as well as how we respond to what we consider offensive. For Paul, the gospel of Christ is what mattered most in his life. So, when he felt that the integrity of the gospel was being compromised he took strong offense (Galatians 1.8). But if it was only a matter of personal reputation or convenience, it was no big deal for him (Philippians 1.15-18). As a general principle, Scripture instructs us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19–20 NIV).
—Keith Y. Jainga