Don’t Make Others Stumble

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Scripture:

Mark 9:42 ¶ “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 

Observation:

The fresh faith of new believers is a precious thing.  It is also a thing that we are to protect.  Jesus was warning those who considered themselves “religious” to be careful about causing these who were new in their faith to stumble.  Could it be that Jesus knew that sometimes those who consider themselves “religious” allow attitudes to get in the way of genuinely serving him?  What is worse than someone claiming to be a follower of Christ and not acting like Christ at all.  It is these people who cause great discouragement in the lives of others and Jesus said this is possibly the worst thing that someone can do.  Or, in other words — don’t do it!  Because it would be better for you to drown in the sea than to cause someone with new and fresh faith to stumble.

Application:

What kinds of decisions are we making these days?  Are there any of those who are fresh in their faith who are looking at us and wondering why we are doing what we are doing?  This verse is a gentle reminder that we are to keep our eyes on the Lord, and ask him to be our guide, day in and day out.  May the Lord help us to make the kinds of choices and decisions that would point people to him - and not to us!  Our lives are to be a roadmap that points people in the direction of our Savior.  May God give us the grace and strength to live each day in the power of his leading!

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to faithfully point people toward you.  Amen.

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