Are you someone who is easy to edify or someone who is easy to offend? Do you respond like newly mixed mortar to the bricklayer’s trowel or like a bucket of gasoline to a lit match?

Too many church people are too easily offended. It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around run for cover. It’s almost impossible for an easily offended man to learn anything. The legitimacy of his irritation rests on his certainty of already being right. The offended lady makes herself the reference point, the higher standard that the lesser ladies apparently aren’t appreciating. Those who are easily offended are also easily isolated; they miss out on a lot of fellowship. They are easily anxious, since anyone and everyone might be the next possible offender.

This character is unteachable, detached, and frequently bothered. In other words, those who are easily offended are proud. But no matter how many Bible verses they write on the throne, the throne isn’t theirs to occupy.

On the other hand, it’s easy to edify the humble. It’s easy to build up a mature person. It’s easy to cheer and help a healthy person. And which one has more life? We want to be easily edified, and that starts with being humble before the Lord.