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While studying a passage of scripture for an article on dysfunctional behavior I had to stop and consider the passage in a different light: in light of normal families in every day life. I am not going to make this a lengthy article of my words; rather, I am going to let God’s Word and definitions from the Strong’s Concordance and the American Heritage Dictionary do most of the teaching.

God created us to grow up with healthy minds, emotions, attitudes and personal attachments with our families.  But God also knew the evil that sin would work in man’s heart and He put the following passages in the Bible.  This words “little ones” denotes an infant, half grown child, or young Christian.  The word “offend and offences” in this passage strongly defines that which happens between family members.

(Words in italics inside of the verses are from the Strong’s Concordance.

Mat 18:5 “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend (entrap, trip up, entice to sin--see below) one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise (think against, disteem) not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Pro 18:19 “A brother offended (see below) is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.”
(Jamison, Fawcette, Brown Commentary: Pro 18:19 - No problems so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.) ("...such contentions are like the bars of a castle.")

offend:  v.-tr 1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in.  2. To be displeasing or disagreeable to.  3. a. To transgress; violate: offend all laws of humanity. b. To cause to sin.  v.-intr.  1.  to result in displeasure.  2. a. to violate a moral or divine law; sin.  b.  To violate a rule or law:

Synonyms:  offend, insult, affront (To insult intentionally, especially openly.) , outrage.  These verbs mean to cause resentment, humiliation, or hurt.  To offend is to cause displeasure, wounded feelings, or repugnance in another." American Heritage Dictionary

The world’s standard of “normal” behavior has—in so many ways--infiltrated our Christian homes and set our patterns for parenting skills.  And the way so many parents are speaking to/offending their children is hated by God and carries some dire consequences.  God teaches us that children offended grow up with contentions and brawlings that are stronger than bars on a castle; with bad behavior that is harder to change than the strength of bars on a castle.  God doesn’t say “impossible to change”...but rather very, very difficult to change.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not

depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6).  This may sound like an odd verse to use but it raises a valid question, “How are we training our children?”  Are we training them to use harsh words, hateful words, scornful words, words that disteem—take away their self worth—and expect them to grow up and depart from this training?  Do we, as parents ever stop to consider the next generation, our grandchildren, who will more than likely be treated and spoken to as we have treated and spoken to our children...their parents?

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