DO NOT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK

PROCLAMATION

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”  Romans 14:12-13 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to the believers in Rome.  Paul began this chapter by stating that those believers who are strong in the faith should not do anything that would distress those who are weak in the faith. (Romans 14:1-9)  Then he said that we must all give an account of ourselves to God.  Don’t judge someone just because they do things differently.  Don’t put anything in front of our brother which would cause him to stumble.  It is better for us to not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything else that would cause our brother or sister to stumble and fall into sin. (Romans 14:21)

 

APPLICATION

We should conduct ourselves in such a manner that we avoid any behavior or action, even if we know it to be right, if that behavior would cause our brother to stress out because he thinks that it is wrong.  We live our lives not just for ourselves alone.  What we do affects those around us.  Not only should we avoid sin and things which appear to be sinful, we should also avoid things that our brother thinks is wrong, at least while we are in his presence.  We who are strong in the faith do not want to do anything that would cause those who are weak in the faith to stumble, or to wound their feelings, or to bother their conscience.  Just because we can do something does not mean that we should do it.  Be mindful of the feeling of others and the affect that we have on them.

 

DO NOT BE THE REASON THAT SOMEONE STUMBLES

PROCLAMATION

“Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.  It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.’ ” Luke 17:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Jesus acknowledges that people, even believers, are going to sin.  Things and situations and temptations are going to come and present themselves to people, including believers, and they will stumble and fall into sin.  Then Jesus said, but woe be unto the person through which the temptation comes.  They would be better off being thrown into the ocean with a large stone tied around their neck.  Serious punishment is coming to anyone who causes a believer to stumble and sin.

 

APPLICATION

We all know that it is wrong for us to sin.  It is worse for us to cause someone else to sin or to engage in sinning with us.  However, it is even much worse for us if we cause a believer to stumble and fall into sin.  Christ clearly does not like those who lead believers into sin and His punishment for them will be severe.  “Woe unto the world because of the offences … but woe to the man by whom the offence cometh.” (Matthew 18:7)  He said, “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” (Luke 17:1)  It is important for us not to be a stumbling block or be the cause or reason that a believer stumbles into sin.  We should do our best to avoid sin.  However, when we sin, we should avoid taking another person down with us, especially another believer.  Because believers and others see our behavior, we should also abstain from even the appearance of sin. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  Let us not be the reason that someone stumbles and falls into sin.

DO NOT CAUSE A BELIEVER TO SIN

Proclamation:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”  Mark 9:42 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark who was not one of the apostles.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  After presenting the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, (Mark 9: 2-9) and the healing of the possessed deaf and mute boy, (Mark 9:17-29) Mark records that Jesus predicts His own death. (Mark 9:31)  Then Jesus warns them not to cause a believer to stumble and fall into sin.  Jesus also warned His disciples not to stumble and fall into sin themselves. (Mark 9:43-50)  Here Mark records Jesus talking about people going to hell for their sins. (Mark 9: 43, 45, and 47) 

Application:

It is not good for us to lead a believer astray and cause them to sin.  It would be better for a person to be drowned by being thrown into the sea with a heavy weight tied around their neck, than the punishment they will face from The Lord for causing one of His believers to fall into sin.  The Lord God will avenge His own and it would be better to suffer anything else than to suffer His anger.  It is not good for anyone to sin, but it is much worse for a person to pull someone else, especially a believer, down into sin with them.  Don't be a stumbling block.

SOMETIMES DOING WHAT WE KNOW TO BE RIGHT CAN BE WRONG

Proclamation:

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”  1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Here Paul tells them about eating food which had been used in sacrifices to idols. (1 Corinthians 8:1-6)  Some people thought that if they ate the meat of an animal which had been sacrificed to an idol that they were defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:7)  Paul told them that the idols can do nothing and that eating the meat which was sacrificed to them would not make them better or worse in the sight of God. (1 Corinthians 8:8)  He said that the problem is that those who are weak in The Word may see them eating that meat and they may do likewise and then feel defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:10-11)  They may also change their opinion of the believers that they see eating that meat.  Paul said that the strong in The Word sin when they do things which cause the weak in The Word to fall. (1 Corinthians 8:12-13)  If eating meat in front of a brother offends him, then do not eat it in front of him.

Application:

It is possible for a believer to do something which is right, but has the appearance of being wrong, which may cause someone who sees them to stumble and fall into sin.  As believers we must avoid even the appearance of doing evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  It is better not to do something which we know to be right if it would cause someone who is less knowledgeable in The Word to stumble.  We are always being observed, especially by children, and we do not want to cause a child to sin. (Matthew 18:6)  Just because something is right, or legal, does not mean that we should do it.  We do not want to be guilty of causing someone to fall away from The Lord because they saw our behavior.

DO NOT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR YOUR BROTHER

Proclamation:

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”  Romans 14:12-13 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to the believers in Rome.  Paul began this chapter by stating that those believers who are strong in the faith should not do anything that would distress those who are weak in the faith. (Romans 14:1-9)  Then he said that we must all give an account of ourselves to God.  Don’t judge someone just because they do things differently.  Don’t put anything in front of our brother which would cause him to stumble.  It is better for us to not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything else that would cause our brother or sister to stumble and fall into sin. (Romans 14:21)

Application:

We should conduct ourselves in such a manner that we avoid any behavior or action, even if we know it to be right, if that behavior would cause our brother to stress out because he thinks that it is wrong.  We live our lives not just for ourselves alone.  What we do affects those around us.  Not only should we avoid sin and things which appear to be sinful, we should also avoid things that our brother thinks is wrong, at least while we are in his presence.  We who are strong in the faith do not want to do anything that would cause those who are weak in the faith to stumble, or to wound their feelings, or to bother their conscience.  Just because we can do something does not mean that we should do it.

DO NOT INTENTIONALLY LEAD OTHERS DOWN THE PATH TO SIN

Proclamation:

“Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.”  Proverbs 28:10 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this verse, Solomon states that those who intentionally deceive the righteous and lead them into immoralities and sin will have the mischief which he had planned for others fall upon him.  The Lord God will preserve the righteous and they shall receive many good things as they are joint heirs with Christ.

Application:

Those who knowingly cause others to sin will be punished by The Lord God for causing one of His people to fall into sin.  It is bad enough for us to knowingly sin, but it is even worse when we entice others to engage in sin with us.  The wicked, and the backsliding righteous, will be punished for leading others into sinful behavior.  Remember that righteous King David, a man after God’s own heart, (Acts 13:22) gave into his lustful sins of the flesh and encouraged Bathsheba to engage in adulterous fornication with him and he was punished by The Lord God. (1 Samuel 11:2-27)  If He punished David for doing it, we can be sure that He will also punish us.

DO NOT CAUSE SOMEONE TO STUMBLE

Proclamation:

“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.  So whatever you believe about these things keep them between yourself and God.  Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Romans 14:21-22 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are The Holy Spirit inspired words of the Apostle Paul which were written in a letter to the believers in Rome.  In a discussion regarding new and seasoned believers, ones weak in the faith versus one who is strong, they were not to judge their weaker brothers. (Romans 14:10-13)  Paul said that they should not eat meat around the less knowledgeable brothers who believe meat to be unclean. (Romans 14:15-16)   His point was that the kingdom of God is not concerned about their eating or drinking but it is concerned abut righteousness and peace. (Romans 14:17)

Application:

We should be extremely careful regarding our behavior around new believers.  We should teach them what The Word of God says when we have the opportunity.  However, it is important that babes in Christ not see senior believers engaged in non-Christian behavior.  It is important that we avoid doing evil in front of them so as not to destroy their new weak faith.  It is also important that we avoid even the appearance of evil as this may also cause them to fall back into sin. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  In the minds of most people, perception is the same as reality.  As believers we are to make every effort to do things which lead to peace and to the edification of others.   We help them by letting them see The Christ in us.  Our lives and behavior are the only “bible” that some people will ever read.  We do not want to cause someone weak in the faith to stumble and fall away from Christ and into sin.  If they truly believe that their behavior is glorifying God, and there is nothing sinful in their behavior, we are not to judge them. (Roman 14:10-13)  If we can’t teach them what The Bible says, then we should not argue with them and destroy their weak new-found faith.