Category Archives: Stumble

Wooden signs labeled 'Good Choice' and 'Better Choice' with arrows pointing on a forest trail
Bible, Choices, Drinking, Eating, Romans, Scripture, Stumble, Stumbling

WHEN IT’S GOOD TO NOT DO SOMETHING

ROMANS 14:21

“It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles.”

We can have a long discussion about whether drinking alcohol is forbidden for Christians. Many feel a beer or a glass of wine with dinner is not sinful. I actually know people who do not think smoking is sinful. Our discussion through chapter 14 has not been about what we can or cannot eat or drink. It’s been about not causing a brother or sister to stumble. Paul continues that in today’s verse.

Look at the first four words of the verse – “It is good not.” I want to concentrate on that thought and ask you some personal questions. Paul’s point is obvious. Don’t do anything that would lead someone astray. We can name all sorts of things that can cause that, right? Sometimes it is good to just not do something, even if you feel you have the right to do it.

APPLICATION

Can I get real personal with you? I am going through a study right now with four men on purity, on how to be free from the addiction of pornography or any other addictive behavior that is not pleasing to the Lord. These men struggle or have struggled with lustful thoughts. For a woman to come to church wearing something that exposes herself is not considering men such as these. I know what you are going to say. They don’t have to look. That may be true, but often that first glance is unavoidable. She has the right to dress as she chooses, but… That is just one example.

I have a friend who had to stop hanging out with some of his friends who like to smoke cigars. He is a former smoker, and the smell just causes him to want to pick up a pack of cigarettes. I am a former smoker and to this day the smell of cigarettes makes me want one. Those individuals have the right to smoke if they choose (I am not saying they should be smoking), but they do not have the right to cause a brother to stumble.

Do you have a lifestyle choice that could cause someone to stumble? You may feel completely free to exercise that choice. You’ve asked the Lord and searched the Scripture, and nothing has deterred you. However, if that choice could be misconstrued by someone and cause them to stumble, then Paul says to not do it. It may be good for you but not for them. Examine your choices. Be sensitive to the needs of others. Avoid situations that would cause someone to stumble. You are representing the Lord. Ask yourself if Jesus would do it. That’s your answer. Paul gives us a great example in 1 Corinthians 8:13. Let’s imitate this. “Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.”

Lord, help me be mindful of the needs of others and avoid any choice that could lead someone astray.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Woman hiking on rocky trail losing balance while stepping on a rock
Bible, Judging, Judgment, Obstacle, Romans, Scripture, Stumble, Stumbling

DON’T TRIP OTHERS UP

ROMANS 14:13

“Therefore, let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.”

The topic of not being a stumbling block to others is not unique to today’s verse. There are actually two different Greek words used to describe “an obstacle” and “a stumbling block.” We will look at each in today’s study. But let us begin with a quote from one of my favorite commentaries. I agree with Barnes when he says, “If every Christian, instead of judging his brethren severely, would resolve that ‘he’ would so live as to promote peace, and so as not to lead others into sin, it would tend more, perhaps, than any other thing to advance the harmony and purity of the church of Christ.” There we have it!

Paul is so concerned that we as followers of Christ do nothing to hurt the chances for others to walk victoriously with Jesus. We shouldn’t judge harshly which could turn someone away. We shouldn’t behave in such a way to confuse a young follower or an unbeliever. He urges us to not be a determent to anyone in today’s verse.

APPLICATION

“Obstacle” is the Greek word proskomma. It means “any obstacle that causes a person to trip, literally on a path or figuratively on the way of faith.” (Topical Lexicon). We see that word used four times in Romans (9:32, 33; 14:13, 20). It is used by Paul again in 1 Corinthians 8:9 where he writes, “But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” This was written in the context of eating food which may have been sacrificed to idols. Interestingly, this word is used once more in 1 Peter 2:8 to describe Jesus when Peter quotes from Isaiah 8:14. “and, ‘A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE’”

The other word Paul uses in today’s verse is translated as “stumbling block.” It is skándalon. It is used three other times in Romans (9:33; 11:9; 16:17). This word represents the trigger or mechanism which closes a trap on an unsuspecting prey. We should never set a trap for another person to make them fall into sin. You and I have heard far too many stories of Christian leaders who have done this. They will answer for this one day.

Who is watching you? Are there little ones who mimic your every move? How awful it would be for them to see you engaged in some sinful activity and cause them to choose a similar action. Our intentions toward others must always be about building them up in Christ. We do that my setting the example ourselves. We do that by living holy lives worthy of imitating. Will you do that this week? Be Jesus to those around you.

Father, I am far from perfect, but I want to be just like You so others will follow You, not me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Woman with green glowing aura looking tense beside smiling woman holding a trophy
Bible, Jealousy, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Stumble, Stumbling

MAKING SOMEONE JEALOUS

ROMANS 11:11

“I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it! But by their wrongdoing salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.”

Have you ever been jealous of something someone else had and you wanted? Not me, Carl. I’m more spiritual than that. Right! We have all had that tinge of jealousy at some point in our lives. Maybe it was for a new car or new home. Maybe you longed to be married and were jealous of your friends’ relationships. Jealousy can destroy you, as we will see today, but it can be a motivating force for change.

We have seen Paul make his case for the rejection of the Jews and the inclusion of the Gentiles over the past few chapters of Romans. He has shown us verse after verse from the Old Testament that foretold this. In today’s verse, he does a little backpedaling. Look at the first part of the verse. “I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it!” It’s important to look at the words used by Paul for “stumble” and “fall.” Stumble means to trip up, to err, to sin. Fall means to fall so that you cannot recover. Paul clearly means to say that the Jews were not completely cast off by God. His plan was to make them jealous for the simple faith that the Gentiles had found in Jesus.

APPLICATION

I am reminded of a parable told by Jeus in Matthew 22. Jesus tells a parable about a king who held a wedding feast for his son. But the invited guests did not come and made excuses for their absence. They even treated his messengers poorly and killed some. So he sent his army against them. Then Jesus says the king did this in verses 8-9. “‘8 Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 So go to the main roads, and invite whomever you find there to the wedding feast.”’” God indeed allowed judgment to fall on the Jewish nation because of their continual rejection of His message. This wasn’t a new thing. They had been doing this for generations.

But now, God has redirected His message to include the Gentiles which Jews could not understand. In Acts 13:46 we read, “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.’” This was Paul’s mission. He had been instructed by God to reach the Gentiles. However, he still had a desire to see his fellow Jews come to Christ.

Are you jealous of anything today? Let that go. But are you jealous of someone’s walk with Jesus? If so, ask them how they walk so closely. Ask them to show you their secret to holy living. Discipleship involves holding others’ hands and leading them down that path. We want to build disciple makers who are jealous for God, who desire Him about all else. Is that you?

We know You are a jealous God and will not tolerate us worshipping other things. Make me jealous for You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Accountability, Advice, Affliction, Bible, Choices, Following, Judgment, Obedience, Punishment, Scripture, Stumble

WEAK ANKLES

HOSEA 5:5

“Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, and Israel and Ephraim stumble in their wrongdoing; Judah also has stumbled with them.”

When I was a sophomore in high school, I broke my left ankle at football camp. I had won a starting position as center and was determined to not miss that season. I didn’t treat my injured ankle as the doctor suggested and actually ended up doing more harm to it. That ankle has been sprained a number of times since because it was weakened due to my own stupidity.

Israel, Ephraim and Judah stumbled due to their own stupidity. You see, the word “stumble” means to be weak in the ankles. When you are weak in your ankles, you can’t walk too well. When you are weak in your spiritual ankles, you can’t walk with God well. That’s what happened to Israel, Ephraim and Judah. They had injured their own spiritual walk through their choices.

APPLICATION

How do you keep your ankles strong? I am talking about your spiritual ankles. How do you do that? As with any body part, you have to exercise them to keep them strong. You can’t just sit around and expect to have strong ankles. You have to walk. And you have to walk correctly. If you walk incorrectly, you can damage your walk. But if you walk as He walked, you will have strong ankles.

I suffer from neuropathy in both of my feet. This has been progressing ever since I had chemotherapy in the Fall of 2019 and early Winter 2020. The numbness and pain have progressed up past my ankles. I can’t go for a walk right now because of the pain in my feet, toes and ankles. That is frustrating.

But the physical pain and numbness in my feet and ankles do not affect my spiritual ankles. I have to accept this side effect of my chemotherapy. I have no choice. I will probably have to live with it for the rest of my life. That’s okay. God has allowed it for a reason. It’s now part of my spiritual walk. How are your spiritual ankles?

Lord, strengthen my ankles so I can walk with You. I want to walk with You daily.

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