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It Is A Sin To Cause Another To Stumble
Richard Waialeale1 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)
9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
Paul is sensitive towards the new believers, and says that in certain circumstances, our freedom and knowledgeable could in certain circumstances become an obstacle, a stumbling block in the weak Christian’s walk with God. So I must watch myself and avoid being a stumbling block to the new Christian.
Verse 13, Paul then says, “So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.”
Wow! What a sacrifice.
That’s Christian love for others. I know I love God. But do I love a fellow Christian enough to give up something so that I not cause another person to sin. I must consider my walk as a leader, pastor and as a Christian, because that is love for a brother or sister. What a great example Paul leaves for me to think about. I’m not only thinking about food here but in everything I do such as the way I converse (my words), how I drive on the road, even as far as the way I behave. My main objective is that I don’t want to cause another person to stumble and sin, by something I may have done in their eyes. It might be Christian freedom to me but a stumbling block for the other person.
Lord I pray to be the best that I can be in the eyes of You. My purpose is to please You and if I cause another person to stumble, I consider the change in my life to help that person. Thank you for the examples of Paul and the lessons he teaches me. Amen.
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