What stumbling blocks are we creating? Part 2
Daily Reading: Leviticus 6, Psalm 96, 1 Corinthians 8, Proverbs 6
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
1 Corinthians 8:8-13
Creating stumbling blocks for others.
We saw this exact same concept in Paul’s letter to the Romans a couple of weeks back.
In that post, we discussed avoiding getting into intellectual debates about whether or not something is truly a sin, and concerning ourselves more with avoiding placing a stumbling block in front of other followers of Jesus that may cause them to falter in their faith.
Today, I felt convicted to take a look at my own actions, and not just the philosophical side of things.
One thing came to mind very quickly.
The occasional use of cursing when I am trying to prove a point.
A few years back a dear friend, and at that time a colleague of mine, brought this to my attention. His words were convicting back then, and popped back to the front of my mind today.
Over the years in leadership in both the business arena, and in coaching sports, I have occasionally dropped a swear word when I want to shake things up a little bit. Because I am not someone who does this very often, I always viewed it as a way to cause people to sit up a little straighter and realize, “Shoot! Aaron is serious!”
Since it was relatively infrequent, and often effective, I never thought of it as “sin” or that big of a deal. However, when Josiah brought it to my attention, I realized he was right. It was simply out of character for me, and unnecessary. It was not how God would want me to show up in those moments.
And, the more often I would do it, the easier it became to curse more often.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it never became a daily occurrence and they were not any of the worst swear words. Mostly the occasional s*#%. However, it probably got to 1-2 times a week, instead of 1 times every 3-4 four weeks “when completely necessary”.
Today, I was convicted all over again.
Not only is this not in alignment with the man I believe God made me to be, but there is also the chance that it could cause a stumbling block for others.
What if one of my players, who viewed me as someone to look up to as a follower of Jesus, heard that occasional curse and caused them to falter?
What if one of the people on my team heard it, and it made them question my overall faith and it hurt my ability to disciple them effectively?
What if my influence was dampened ever so slightly because of something as trivial as a few curse words a month, and that caused other people to not come to know the full love of Christ?
Have I been creating a stumbling block?
So, I am stopping. If I do it at any point in the future, it will be by accident as a bad habit that I am trying to fully get over. Not because I think it is a good way to make a point.
It is unnecessary.
What is that for you?
What actions in your life might hurt your influence for Jesus? What stumbling blocks might you inadvertently be creating through your words or actions?
It doesn’t always have to be things that are inherently sinful, as Paul discusses today.
Regardless of whether or not “scripture is on your side” when it comes to the specific action, if it causes a brother or sister to falter, Paul encourages us to cast it aside.
My deepest desire is for the kingdom of God to be advanced in this world.
The occasional behavior change to avoid putting stumbling blocks in front of others is well worth the effort!
Daily Reflection & Dialogue
What stumbling blocks might you be putting in front of family members, friends, colleagues, and other people in your sphere of influence as a result of the way you show up in the world?
