Woe to the world because of offenses!
For offenses must come,
but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
(Matthew 18:6–7)
Temptation is normal!
The Bible is very clear, we all face temptation and that on a constant basis (1 Cor 10:13). In fact, in our verses above, Jesus says it so clearly “offenses must come”. In this world…we will face temptation, period.
Yet, we are not to be the source of temptation. Jesus commands us that we intentionally seek NOT to be the cause of temptation for another Christian.
In fact, consider the full quote from Jesus
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
(Matthew 18:6–7)
Wow! I don’t know about you, but Jesus’ warning here really catches my attention. The millstone, which is a huge heavy rock used to crush grapes , is a fearful thought. What does this really mean for a Christian, I am not entirely certain, but this I do know – I don’t want to go down that road! Simple point, Jesus is very serious about us not being the intentional cause that leads another to sin.
This is a call to love others! In a sinfully corrupt world that selfishness has become the center of everything, such a call is almost unheard of. Yet, in Christ, we are called to consider others – not just ourselves.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:4)
How would this apply today? Lots of ways.
As summer is upon us, it is wise to consider the clothes we wear, that we not be a source of stumbling for others. The sad reality is that many a “Christian” dresses as inappropriately as those in the world. Yet all the while claiming their “right” to do so. Sadly, they become a source of immodest temptation to others, including believers.
In entertainment – movies and more, we should be very wary of what we watch or encourage others to watch – that it not be a source of temptation for them…or us.
I could continue the list…yet, that would be to go beyond scripture and miss the point. The point is not to come up with a list of do’s and don’t for modern Christians. The point that God is calling us to not only care about ourselves, but to be concerned for others – and seek not to be a source of temptation in their lives.
Consider Paul’s call that echoes this:
Therefore let us … resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
(Romans 14:13)
In a sinful and selfish world, God is calling us to a higher standard, one that we think about how what we do will effect others. This is the love that Jesus is seeking to work into our hearts. Again, this is not legalism, bondage or a burden…it is a call to live loving each other and to be concerned for each other.
But……
In closing, I want to address one last objecting that someone might have. Some would say that others do those things or dress that way – there is no way for people to totally avoid temptation – so those that are tempted are just going to have to learn to deal with it. If you feel this way, hear Jesus again. He agrees … in part. Temptation, offenses must come. But…woe to the one who is the means of that temptation. Yikes.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
(Matthew 18:6–7)
Therefore let us … resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
(Romans 14:13)
Jim
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