Of Fences and Offences

The definition of a fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. There are many uses for fences. In agriculture, they keep livestock in and predators out. They provide privacy for those who want some seclusion. They demarcate perimeters to keep out trespassers and show boundaries on real property. They can function as a decoration to enhance the visual effect of a property. Ultimately, fences are designed to create a separation or division.

Some popular cliches are examples of this:

Straddling the fence means a person can't make up their mind about which side they are on.

Jumping the fence when we get to it means dealing with an issue when needed and not before.

Good fences make good neighbors means neighbors will get along if each minds their own business.

Sometimes we put up invisible fences in our life. Some can have existed for so long that they become part of our character. They can be so ingrained in our psyche that we feel we can't exist without them. They can pertain to emotional wounds suffered in childhood. They can come from experiencing a physical trauma. Fences can be erected as a protective measure when there has been any type of pain or crisis in our life that we want to make sure does not ever happen again. In order to do that, we have to 'separate' that part of  ourselves from everything else so as to not to be vulnerable to those that would hurt us.

But, what do we do when circumstances come along that causes us to want to 'expand'? How do we go about removing something that has been such an intricate part of us for so long? Is it possible to take down a fence carefully enough that we do not injure ourselves in the process? We may get a splinter or jabbed by a barb if we go about it the wrong way. The removal of old barriers should begin with prayer requesting guidance for the plan of action.

When we have fences in our lives, they almost always lead to offences. The definition of an offence is: a violation, an annoyance, a displeasure, a resentment. It can be the source of annoyance, displeasure, anger, or an attack or assault. To give offence is to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone. To take offence is to feel injured, humiliated, or offended.

'Offences' give 'fences' a purpose for existing. As long as we hold onto an offence in our life, whether it is something from childhood or it has just happened, we then create a 'fence'~a barrier~to keep from getting hurt in that same way again.

In Matthew 18:7, Jesus says, Woe unto the world because of offences, for it is necessary that offences come, but woe unto the person through whom the offences come. There are those people, having in themselves an ungodly spirit, who seeks to create offences in others to prevent them moving forward in God's knowledge and grace.

We are told in 1 Cor. 10:32 to Give no offence to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. This means that we, as Christians, should not engage in thought or activity that would create an offence in anyone else, whether they are a believer or not.

By the same token, because we have accepted Christ into our hearts, and He has taken all our sin upon Himself, we cannot 'take offence' from anyone that might dish it out to us.

Romans 4:25 says, He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Knowing this, when offences come our way, we are obligated by our acceptance of Him to relinquish the offences to Him. The next step is to pray for the person through which the offence came, so that we can move forward without hindrance on our Christian journey. The offences must be given to Jesus, so that we can walk with Him unencumbered by the things that would have kept us fenced in.