Beware! Lest you cause someone to sin
“Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” (NIV) Matthew 18:7
“8 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat it again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” (NIV) 1 Corinthians 8:8,13
Let us consider this scenario. A leader in the Lord’s Church leaves the keys to his house daily with his neighbor who runs a place that sells predominantly alcoholic drinks (popularly known as drinking spot in Ghana). He and his wife have different work schedules so they found it convenient to keep the key with their neighbor who is almost always in his drinking spot. Another brother who just joined the congregation noticed that the leader and his wife take the turn in entering the spot at least twice daily each (what he does not know is that they just go there to drop and pick up the keys). What do you think could happen to the faith of this new convert? He will conclude that the leader in the Lord’s church and his wife go in there to consume some alcohol twice daily.
Sincerely, this leader in the Lord’s Church and his wife have done nothing wrong but their action could cause some weaker brethren to fall away from the faith and that we are warned against. This means in all we do, though not sinning, we should ensure that our actions do not cause anyone to fall. This is a difficult task indeed! That funny joke you are about to say, will it cause a brother to fall? Those clothes you wear, will they cause someone to sin? The haircut and styles you wear, will they make someone stumble? These questions should go through our minds daily.
I am not by any means saying you must please everyone in all you do because you cannot. Our actions and inactions which are not sinful should be within acceptable norms of the saints. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide as we pray to ensure we do not cause anyone to fall or sin. God bless you as you thrive to please Him always.