CAUSING ANOTHER TO STUMBLE

I was "talking" with someone tonight on another's blog about the "causing another to stumble verse". I went back and read the entire chapter (Romans 14) and realized something I'd never noticed before. Most of the chapter isn't talking about what you cannot do but about NOT JUDGING and exhorting us to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Also that we are going to someday answer to God for our actions, so there is no need to judge each other.



Let's just take the example of drinking here. Notice I'm not debating whether it's right or wrong. It's just an example. When some Christians hear that another Christian drinks in small quantities (say wine after dinner or a beer with the guys) they automatically pull out the old "you should never do that because you could cause another to stumble" argument. If we were painfully honest many of us would realize that this argument is usually used to judge someone's behavior, not as a genuine concern for the weaker brethren. I am NOT saying that we should use our freedom to do whatever we want without any regard for others but let's not use our weaknesses (or strengths) to judge someone else's behavior either. If you are truly having a hard time with something another brother/sister is doing then approach them lovingly, respectfully, in humility and talk with them about it. Don't scream "I am offended by your behavior so you should just stop it." Um, no. Your offence is your problem. You are offended about something that doesn't really concern you. It's between that person and the Lord. Again, if you are truly concerned about this person's witness being jeopordized then talk with him/her. Find out where they are coming from. Explain your concerns in humility.

"If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." If you are truly distressed by another sister/brother's behavior then tell them. However, make sure that you are really distressed; not irritated, offended, perturbed, etc. Romans 14:19-"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Romans 14: 1-4 "1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."



If you are truly making someone stumble or distressed then, by all means, "If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died" (Romans 14:15)

"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." (Romans 14: 20-21)



In closing I'd like to say:

Romans 14:22&23-"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. "



If you have a clear conscience to "drink alcohol" (remember just an example) then do it. If someone is distressed and they tell you- stop. However, don't tell someone to stop doing something because it simply offends you. That's not a good way to live at peace. Strive for unity. Think of others better than yourself.

That's all I have on that. Hope it came across clearly. It's late and I must go to bed. Blessings!- Angela :)