Unity and reconciliation within the church hinge significantly on tact and diplomacy, as exemplified by the apostle Paul. In his efforts to live peaceably with all men, as urged in Romans 12:18, Paul skillfully navigated diverse cultures and peoples without causing offense. His approach, unlike traditional methods of debate, focused on understanding others' perspectives and preserving their self-image, recognizing that individuals strive to maintain consistency and stability in their beliefs. Paul's method involved seeing ideas from another's point of view, developing empathy by metaphorically walking in their shoes, and acknowledging their frame of reference. He lavished compliments on his audiences, as seen in his interactions with the philosophers of Athens in Acts 17, and acknowledged cultural debts to both Greeks and Jews in Romans 2-3. He built bridges of common understanding by pointing out similarities, such as sharing views on the resurrection with the Pharisees in Acts 23:6, and identifying himself as a Roman citizen when appropriate in Acts 22:25. Following Paul's example, we can avoid causing offense by employing three steps in negotiation: first, conveying to others that they are understood; second, identifying areas where they may have a valid or superior position; and third, finding shared moral qualities and aspirations to reach mutually acceptable solutions. These steps, grounded in genuine humility, foster pleasing and peacemaking interactions, enhancing our quest for unity within the church.

In Matthew 18, Jesus addresses the seriousness of causing offense against a weak Christian. He warns that anyone who causes a Christian with a childlike, humble attitude to sin, or places obstacles in their path of faithfulness, commits a grave offense. Christ declares that it would be better for such a person to be weighted down and drowned in the sea than to commit this sin. Offenses are inevitable due to human nature, but Jesus pronounces woe on those who lead others into sin, emphasizing the great guilt borne by such individuals. He stresses that only deep-seated wickedness seeks to confuse and destroy another's potential, which is so valuable that every effort must be made to protect it. Jesus further illustrates the need to abandon any worldly attachments, friendships, or employments that lead to sin, using strong imagery to convey that avoiding temptation and sin is paramount, even at great personal cost. The stakes are high, as it is far better to attain eternal life without the pleasures of sin than to enjoy them temporarily and face eternal judgment.

Offense, causing, is a serious matter within the church. Jesus warns that causing someone to stumble and sin is so grave that it would be better for the offender to have a heavy millstone hung around their neck and be thrown into the sea. This offense goes beyond merely hurting someone's feelings; it involves leading them into sin, often through setting a bad example that others, especially the weak or new in faith, might follow. The responsibility to avoid causing offense is emphasized by the presence of angels who behold the face of God and advocate for the offended. Jesus stresses the importance of self-sacrifice and extreme measures to prevent setting a bad example, indicating that it is better to face personal loss than to cause a brother to sin. The context of these teachings is maintaining unity and peace within the church, highlighting the need for members to be vigilant about their actions and their impact on others.