Over the course of 24 years in ministry, I’ve seen people who worked really hard to avoid sinful choices that might prompt others to stumble in faith.
Fathers have resisted the devilish temptation to curse at teenagers who were acting defiantly.
Mothers have resisted the devilish temptation to teach daughters how to fight gossip fires with their own gossip Armageddon.
Church leaders have resisted the devilish temptation to publicly wag fingers at divisive members.
And the list could go on.
In the world’s eyes, attacking problems with literal attacks is quite common.
On many occasions when the initial offenses are hurtful enough, people today are given a “pass” for lashing out in response.
At least in the world’s eyes. “They deserved it because they asked for it,” is the rationale.
Here’s something the Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 10:23-24 that speaks to a different context, yet has much value for us in learning how to conduct ourselves when people treat us poorly.
“’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
Our demonstrations of character should provide building blocks for others, not stumbling blocks.
If somebody bad-mouths us at work or church, who do we think confers to us the “right” to fight fire with fire?
God certainly doesn’t sanction such a response.
That means that we’re seeking justification from unjust people for our unjust actions.
Not smart, huh?
Paul’s teaching applies in other ways, of course, such as with alcoholic beverages.
One spouse quits drinking after admitting alcoholic tendencies, yet the other keeps drinking “with the boys” and sometimes even at home in front of the person trying to stop.
This is not a matter of whether or not drinking beer is sinful. There are various opinions on that, of course.
Instead, this is a matter of a spouse needing to remember a core principle of godly love — “Love always protects.”
If giving up beer would help a spouse to help his spouse’s recovery, then shouldn’t that be happening?
Paul says it best — “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way.” (I Cor. 10:32-33).
Please, ask God to show you how to provide building blocks for faith in the lives of others rather than tossing stumbling blocks in their way.
As always, I love you
Martin
