Do Not Cause Others to Stumble
Jesus gave a severe warning against causing others to sin, saying it would be better to have a millstone hung around one's neck. Our actions don't exist in isolation - what we do can either strengthen or weaken someone else's faith. It matters because God takes the spiritual welfare of vulnerable believers extremely seriously. In daily life, this means being mindful of your influence, considering how your choices affect newer believers, and taking responsibility for the example you set.
Details
- Category
- Character & Conduct
Key Passages
Woe to him through whom offences come
Matthew 18:6-7
Jesus pronounces severe judgment on those who cause others to sin - spiritual responsibility for weaker believers is a deadly serious matter.
6ut whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones
Mark 9:42
Jesus declares it would be better to drown than to cause a vulnerable believer to stumble - revealing God's fierce protectiveness over new and weak faith.
42nd whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Did You Know?
Jesus warned that it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. The warning is severe because the damage is real.
Causing others to stumble is not merely personal sin. It is leading others into sin. The shepherd who leads the sheep off a cliff will answer for every one that falls.
Liberty must be tempered by love. We may have the right to do something, but if it causes a weaker brother to stumble, love requires us to lay down that right for his sake.