Anyways, this question came to mind while Kelby Wenger brought up the concept of "being a stumbling block" at the CRU Halloween Party.
What exactly is Paul referring to when he uses the term "stumbling block?" How can we avoid being one?Here's some passages for you to interpret if you'd like:
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."
1 Corinthians 8:8 (NIV)
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
As I've heard before, the Christian life/walk is supposed to be a constant progression, starting low then growing higher and higher. Unfortunately, our sinful nature causes us to have pitfalls throughout this progression and course of life. Many times (if not all) those pitfalls are caused by stumbling blocks, in the same way that when walking and an obstacle is placed in front of us over which we trip, falling is a common outcome.
ReplyDeleteStumbling blocks are the temptations, failures, distractions...sins, that cause us to trip in our walk with Christ.
Being a stumbling block is as easy a thing to do as stumbling upon one in the first place. The way to avoid being one is to edify and love each other fervently. If we're focusing on building one another up it will consequently become more difficult to judge, put down, and hurt our brothers.
Webster's dictionary defines the phrase stumbling block as "An obstacle to progress." 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (ESV)
When we do what this verse says, we can easily avoid becoming stumbling blocks, and instead be...building blocks.
I am a christian saved by God's grace and love, so a lot of what I am writing is what Alycia has written. To me, being a stumbling block would be anything a believer does that causes a another to fall into sin. Something that could affect and/or convict another when we wouldn't even think about it. Drinking could be an example.
ReplyDeleteHebrews 3:13 says, But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened be the deceitfulness of sin. (NASB)
Isaih 57:14 says, Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle out of the way of My people. (NASB)
If we are to encourage, love and be kind to one another, wouldn't we want to think about what affect our brother and sisters as well as help each other strengthen our relationships with Christ?
The last thing I want to write for now is something a found on the web that I really liked:
Jesus Christ came into the world that we all could have the opportunity to be saved. He came to save us from eternal separation from God. He makes it clear that we are to love and help one another. He also made it clear that there are two destinations for the souls of man. One is eternal bliss with God. The other is "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mt. 5:12). If we follow the teachings of Jesus we will help one another reach our goal of eternal rest. If we do not follow His instructions we could cast a stumbling block in the path of our brother
The link below has helpful information on this topic:
http://www.bibleviews.com/stumblingblocks.html
I agree with the above posters, though I also think Paul was talking about Spiritual "gray areas."
ReplyDeleteIn 1st Corinthians 8, he is talking about whether or not it's bad or good to eat food offered to idols. He basically concludes it doesn't matter either way. Instead, what matters is whether or not your action will offend another believer, or cause him to do something against his conscience, because he might be convicted of it as bad or good.
In verse 13 he says,
"Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble."
When we lived in Midland, and the Ogengas (a Ugandan pastor and his wife, who connected Midland Bible Church with mission work in Uganda ) would come and stay at our house every year or so, my dad would put away his pipe and tobacco so they wouldn't see it.
Now, smoking isn't a sin (it's not even mentioned in the Bible, as far as I know), but to them, it was culturally offensive, so my dad did not want to be a stumbling block for them, encouraging them to smoke against their conscience, if by his possession of it alone.
The same goes with "bad" language. I don't say "crap" around little kids, but I do around my peers, because no one finds it offensive. And if they do, I'll gladly keep from saying it around them. They just need to let me know, since it's pretty generally accepted among highschoolers. :P
Et cetera.
If I were writing the bible, this is how I would say it:
ReplyDeleteRomans 14:13 (PDV)
"Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to be a dick."
1 Corinthians 8:8 (PDV)
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not make you a total dick."
"Don't be a dick" would include anything you do in the spirit of hindering someone's spiritual growth. I really believe that the truest answers are usually the simplest: Setting someone else up for failure is a nasty thing to do, so don't do it.
Where can I get a PDV Bible??
ReplyDeleteThat would be an awesome bible.
ReplyDeleteOld Testament: "God made stuff, then he made people, then he drowned, burned, crystallised, and otherwise killed a lot of them whenever they started to piss him off."
Gospels: "Jesus told people to be nice to each other, and they murdered him for it."
New Testament: "God calmed down, stopped killing people, and said he'd be back some day to check up on us."
Maybe it needs a little bit of fleshing out, but I think I've got a good outline here. This version will be significantly thinner than KJV.
Let the angry objections to my interpretation of the Bible commence!
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ReplyDeleteasdo;ijasdo;ijdkfjdsffl;j
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jake: I disagree! Here is my counter-argument:
ReplyDeleteIIJWENOIWHDJNAVEUVRNSOFUVBSCODDHU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note the capital letters, which make me right and you wrong. Lol.