The Warning of Stumbling Stone: Luke 17:1-2
“1) He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:1-2
So who or what is a stumbling block? Technically, it was any object intentionally put in the path of a blind person or in a persons path after dark to make them stumble. It has the motivation of intentionally tripping someone or making them fall.
The world is full of stumbling blocks. Temptations are everywhere. Welcome to a fallen world.
But Jesus was talking about people who internally aim at hurting or destroying the faith or moral convictions of others. This especially relates to innocent children or young believers.
The serpent in the Garden of Eden was the first to fill this role. He became known as the tempter. His goal was to entice Adam and Eve away from God, His Word and His will for them. He wanted to entice them into sin and rebellion.
People who operate in a similar manner are “stumbling blocks.” They work in his place. They fill his role in the world. Their motive is to hurt or make others fall.
They use deception, lusts, physical or emotional hurts, criticism, lies, the lure of money, pleasure, alcohol, drugs, violence or godless philosophies to lead people into sin and away from God. They hinder rather than help.
They aim at children, the innocent and young believers. They want them to abandon God, faith, goodness and love. They intensionally seek to shipwreck their walk with God!
Beware, there are many of them in the world! Beware lest you become one of them! Don’t become the devil’s advocate against anyone.
Jesus pronounce a special curse on stumbling blocks. He said it would be better for them to have a heavy millstone or grinding wheel hung around their neck and be hurled into the sea than to make an innocent child stumble.
This puts them in the category of false teachers and the wicked. James 3:1 says false teacher will
Incur stricter judgement. The same is true for any stumbling block who trips up others and makes them fall away from God. It can be minor or flagrant.
I don’t fully understand degrees of judgement for the ungodly. The Bible indicates some will incur sticker judgement. Such will be the fate of all stumbling blocks.
Why not rather build up than tear down? Why not rather heal than hurt? Why not rather help than hinder? Why not rather love than hate? Why not rather defend than accuse? Why not rather speak truth than lies? Why not rather rescue than abandon? Why not rather be a fan than a critic? Why not rather serve God than the devil? Why not rather be light in the world rather than darkness.
Purpose to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling stone!
Daily Bible Commentary
By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
