A STUMBLING- BLOCK

Jesus warns the disciples about stumbling-blocks in Luke 17:1,2. The Lord makes it quite clear that we must be careful lest we cause another to stumble.

"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe to him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

The Greek word used here is skandala; you can see that it is the word from which we get the English word, scandal or scandalize. It literally means, "to trap, or snare".

If we are not careful, we can allow ourselves to be used by Satan as a stumbling-block. Peter says that Satan walks about as "a roaring lion" seeking to devour us (I Peter 5:8). The devil will do any thing to defeat us, therefore we need to be careful in reference to stumbling-blocks.

Anything done contrary to God's will can be an enticement to sin for someone else. Age, social status, educational level, man or woman, has no bearing on whether one may be used as a stumbling-block.

Stumbling-block is a serious sin. We find much said about the subject, not only by Christ, but the Holy Spirit through the apostles. In reference to stumbling-blocks, Paul said that if "eating of meats" caused a brother to stumble, he would never eat another piece of meat! There was nothing wrong in the eating of meats sacrificed to idols, but if the eating of that meat would cause a brother to stumble, Paul's advise was to forego the eating of that meat for the weak brother's good. You may read about this in Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8, 9 ,10. That is how serious it is.

Understand that what you do may of itself be perfectly acceptable with God, but if it causes a brother to be offended, or made weak, then as a Christian you can give in the matter.

To be caught by a stumbling-block is sin. A man who succumbs is guilty, but Jesus added something else that ought to catch the attention of every disciple who really is earnest in being saved and helping others to go to heaven. He said that the one who causes the offense is in worse shape than the one who falls.

"Whosever causes a little one who believes in me to stumble, it would be better that a millstone was hung about his neck and he be drowned in the sea!"

Now, that is serious, isn't it? Better be careful what we do for there are many eyes watching. "The Little Ones" is not especially speaking of little children, though that is included. It is speaking of those who are new or weak in the faith. We do not want to cause anything that would render their growth in Christ to be hurt. As Christians we will forbear, or even forgo our liberty in Christ, to help another along the pathway of righteousness. We thus will be able to help the weak brother and keep our souls from being used by Satan to harm one in Christ or, out of Christ.

- Dan Carter