Approval Optional | When Obedience Offends

Approval Optional | When Obedience Offends

From More Life Church by More Life Church

March 15, 2026 · 57 min · Episode 476

About this episode

This episode explores the relationship between obedience to God and the potential for causing offense, emphasizing that true obedience may disturb societal norms and expectations.

Some believers quietly believe this:“If I obey God correctly, everyone will understand.” But the New Testament shows something very different. In Acts 5, the apostles obeyed God faithfully—and the result wasn’t approval. It was anger, opposition, and threats of death. Their obedience didn’t calm the room. It exposed the room. Many believers fall into a quiet trap: Fear of offense → fear of man → people-pleasing → compromised obedience If avoiding offense becomes your highest value, obedience will eventually become the collateral damage. In this message we explore how Scripture helps us properly understand offense and why obedience to God will sometimes disturb systems built on pride, control, or personal preference. You’ll also learn the difference between: • Offense caused by sin or harshness• Offense caused by truth• Offense caused by the gospel• Offense caused by personal preference Jesus Himself offended people simply by telling the truth—and He did not withdraw the truth to keep peace. Truth doesn’t always feel like love in the moment, but love refuses to abandon the truth. 🔴 New Here?We’d love to connect with you! Fill out our online connect card…

People in this episode

Host: More Life Church

Topics covered

  • obedience
  • offense
  • truth
  • gospel
  • fear of man
  • people-pleasing

Keywords

  • obedience
  • offense
  • truth
  • gospel
  • fear of man
  • people-pleasing
  • Acts 5
  • Jesus

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Acts 5

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