ARE YOU CAUSING OTHERS TO STUMBLE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light,
and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.”
(1 John 2:10)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever been in a very dark place? A place with absolutely
no light (like a cave), where you cannot see your hand when it is
only two inches from your face. Imagine living in a place like that
every day? Your greatest desire would be for some light to appear,
wouldn’t it?

In the Bible, darkness often refers to evil and separation from God.
    Yet when I hoped for good, evil came;
    when I looked for light, then came darkness.
    (Job 30:26)

    Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
    who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
    who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
    (Isaiah 5:20)

    Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand
    and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness,
    where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
    (Matthew 22:13)

Darkness is the place where evil hides; the place where people go
to commit sinful acts. However, we live in a world today where the
sinfulness of man which once remained in the darkness, is now on
display in broad daylight.

Whether they realize it or not, people who are ‘living in darkness’
are preparing for an eternity of pain, agony, and separation from
the God who loves them. In contrast, people who are ‘living in the
light’ are preparing for an eternity of fellowship with God.

How dark is our world? When we compare what we see in our
world, with what a world with the ‘light of the Lord’ looks like,
there is a profound contrast. Sin has darkened the world we live
in, and consequently, we have a choice. We can either ‘embrace
the darkness’ and participate in sin with no restraints, or we can
choose to live our life ‘in the light of the Lord’ with self-control

The choice we make can have an impact on those around us.
Most people don’t want to have a negative impact on others,
and especially if it causes them to sin. As believers, we will be
held accountable if we contribute to the ‘stumbling’ of others.
    A good man brings good things out of the good stored
    up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the
    evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will
    have to give account on the day of judgment for every
    empty word they have spoken. For by your words you
    will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
    (Matthew 12:35-37)

Jesus tells us that we will have to give an account for how we
have negatively impacted others. He doesn’t mean we will be
given a chance to explain our actions or make excuses for them;
He means we will have to assume complete responsibility for the
way we have caused others to stumble and sin.

He is also not talking about the judgment of sinners when He returns.
After the judgment that separates believers from sinners, there will be
another judgment where believers will be accountable for the things
they have done to serve the Lord, and the things they have done that
discouraged others and caused them to stray away from the Lord,
and fall into sinful habits.
    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
    so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things
    done while in the body, whether good or bad.
    (2 Corinthians 5:10)

    You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why
    do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before
    God’s judgment seat.
   (Romans 14:10)

    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 14:13)

    For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;
    and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those
    who do not obey the gospel of God?
    (1 Peter 4:17)

    This is how love is made complete among us so that we will
    have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we
    are like Jesus.
    (1 John 4:17)

    But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart,
    you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s
    wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
    (Romans 2:5)

    Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that
    gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to
    anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
    (James 2:12-13)

We can assume that believers will be held accountable in areas such as:
    – Using the Spiritual gift God has given them.
    – Praying (including praying for others, and especially for
        those serving the Lord, who are constantly attacked by Satan).
    – Reading God’s Word.
    – Fellowshipping with other believers.
    – Encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ.
    – Witnessing.
    – Living a lifestyle that proves our faith is real and the Holy Spirit
        is in control of our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, etc.

When we look at this brief list (many more could be added), we can
see that God wants us to become ‘selfless’ and stop living a life of
‘selfishness’. It’s about ‘giving’ not ‘taking’. Instead of expectations
of how others should treat us, we have a new focus on how we should
be treating them.

It is called ‘sanctification’, and through the Holy Spirit, it’s God’s
process of transforming us into living a more righteous life (a life
that resembles the life lived of Jesus, the One we are following). 
The scriptures give us a measurement for determining if our lives 
are causing others to stumble. It is wrapped up in the word ‘love’
(which is the identifying characteristic of Jesus).

When we have sincere love for others, we want what is best for them.
We don’t want to see them heading in the wrong direction. Instead of
discouraging others, or being unforgiving when they have wronged us
in some way, we look for ways to encourage them. Our desire is to see
them growing closer to the Lord, instead of being lured farther away
from Him and into a dark world of sinfulness.

Two things which can cause us to not love others are, ‘selfishness’
and ‘egotism’. These two characteristics keep our love contained,
constrained, and cause us to remain focused on ourselves. Being
‘selfish’ and/or ‘egotistical’ can cause us to seldom look for ways
to have a positive influence on the lives of others.

Love for others will result in a dramatic change in our own lives.
How? We will respect others more and have greater sensitivity of
how our words and actions can influence them in either a positive
or negative way.
As an example:
    Imagine that a brother or sister in Christ is trying to live
    the life the Lord wants them to live. They begin the day
    with thoughts of how they can serve the Lord, and how
    they can live righteously throughout the day.
    Now, imagine that we say or do something that either causes
    them to feel inferior and discouraged, or arouses their anger
    in some way (maybe we have been inconsiderate or rude to them).
    Our actions or words changed their focus. Instead of living a
    spiritual and righteous life they planned for the day, we have
    caused them to have an attitude of the ‘flesh’.
    God expects us to build others up and encourage them, and not
    to be the reason for them to become discouraged, sad, or angry.

In addition, we will be held accountable (guilty) for our words and
actions that caused someone to drift into sin, and possibly miss out
on heaven. We need to guard against becoming desensitized to how
our actions can cause the fall of those around us. Look at these words
from Abraham Lincoln about sensitivity:
    “I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the
      whip when it is laid on the other man’s back.”

Worldly influences have caused some to become calloused
and indifferent toward others. These attitudes could be an
indication that there hasn’t been a real rebirth in their own
lives. Consequently, the love of God has never become a part
of their heart and life.

Some speak about a social gospel (intellectual movement) as
though it is separate from the redemptive Gospel. However,
there is only one Gospel, and we must be obedient to it if we
expect to become sensitive to the needs of others. If our hearts
are not conditioned by the Holy Spirit to receive and reflect the
warmth of God’s compassion, we can’t love others as we should.

ACTION:
Questions to ask ourselves:
    Are my words and actions causing others to stumble?
    Do I love others enough to guard the things I say and do?
    Have I truly been redeemed?
    Does the love God reside in my heart and affect the way I live?
    Who is in control of my life – me, or the Holy Spirit?
    When have I recently tried to encourage someone else?
    Have I forgiven those who have hurt me in some way?
    How have I shown love and encouragement to someone else?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have ever caused others
to stumble. Help me to be sensitive and concerned about
the influence I can have on others. I don’t want to be the
reason for someone sinking into the darkness of sin, and
possibly missing out on heaven. Teach me to show proper
respect for others, and to allow Your love to flow through
me, so others will be encouraged to seek Your light in a
world that’s growing darker every day. Thank You for
showing me Your love, and for bringing light into my life!”

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