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 really dark place? A place with absolutely
no light (like a cave); a place where you cannot see your hand when
it is only two inches from your face. Can you just 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
appearing in broad daylight.
Whether they realize it or not, people who are ‘living in darkness’
are preparing for an eternity of pain and agony separated 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,
we can see a profound contrast. There is no doubt how sin has
darkened the world we live in, and it presents us with a choice.
We can either ‘embrace the darkness’ and contribute to it with
our own sins, or we can choose to live our life ‘in the light of the
Lord’.
We need to remember that the choice we make will have an impact
on those around us. If we are honest with ourselves, most everyone
does not want to have a negative impact on anyone, 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 of 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;
it 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 Jesus
returns. After the judgment that separates believers from sinners,
there is another judgment where believers will be accountable for
the things they have done to serve the Lord, and the things they
have done that caused others to sin and stray away from the Lord.
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)
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.
is in control of their thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, etc.
When we look at this brief list (many more could be added), it is easy
to see that God wants us to become ‘selfless’ and stop living a life of
‘selfishness’. It’s about ‘giving’ instead of ‘taking’. Instead of having
expectations of how others should treat us, we have a new focus and
appreciation of how we should be treating others.
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 by the one we are following – Jesus Christ).
The scriptures give us a measurement for determining if our lives are
causing others to stumble. It is bundled up in the word ‘love’ (which
is the best description 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. We look
for ways to encourage them to live the life God wants them to live.
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 of the greatest detriments to love for others are ‘ego’ and
‘selfishness’. These two characteristics keep our love contained,
constrained, and remained focused on ourselves. We seldom,
or never consider looking for ways to have a positive influence
on the lives of others if we are ‘selfish’ and/or ‘egotistical’.
Love for others will result in a dramatic change in our own lives.
We will respect others more, and have a greater concern about
how our words and actions will influence them and their lives.
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 you say or do something that either causes
them to feel inferior and discouraged, or arouses their anger
in some way (maybe you are inconsiderate or rude to them)..
This is one way we can cause them to stumble. 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 them up and encourage them, and not
to be responsible for tearing them down and discouraging them.
In addition, we will be held accountable (guilty) for our words and
actions that have caused someone else to drift into to sin, and even
worse, to ultimately lose out on heaven. We should never become
desensitized to how our actions can cause the fall of those around
us. Abraham Lincoln once said,
“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 too many people to become
calloused and indifferent toward others. These attitudes can
be an indication that there has never been a real rebirth in
them. As a result, 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 made right with God
before we can become sensitive to the needs of others. Unless
our hearts are conditioned by the Holy Spirit to receive and
reflect the warmth of God’s compassion, we cannot love others
as we should.
ACTION:
Are your words and actions causing others to stumble? Do
you love others enough to guard the things you say and do?
Have you truly been redeemed? Does the love God reside in
your heart and affect the way you live? Who is in control of
your life – you, or the Holy Spirit?
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 ever 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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