How can we identify and avoid "stumbling" in our spiritual walk today? Setting the Scene: Understanding “Stumbling” (Romans 14:13) “Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” The Spirit’s concern in this verse is two-fold: keeping yourself from tripping and making sure you are not the reason someone else trips. Both matters are central to a healthy walk with Christ. --- Spotting the Signs of Stumbling Today • Compromise with clear biblical commands (James 1:22) • Lingering guilt or loss of peace after choices (Colossians 3:15) • Growing indifference toward worship, prayer, or fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25) • A pattern of justifying behavior by culture rather than Scripture (Isaiah 5:20) • Relationships strained by your freedoms—your liberty has begun to wound another conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-12) --- Heart Checks to Identify Personal Stumbles 1. Word Check – Am I consistently in Scripture, or am I coasting? (Psalm 119:105) 2. Motive Check – Why do I want this activity, purchase, or relationship? (Proverbs 16:2) 3. Influence Check – Does this draw me closer to Christ or cool my zeal? (1 John 2:15-17) 4. Witness Check – Could this choice trip up a weaker believer? (Romans 14:15) 5. Spirit Check – Is the Spirit affirming or convicting me right now? (Galatians 5:16-17) --- Practical Steps to Avoid Stumbling • Stay saturated in Scripture: “Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165). • Pray before you proceed—invite God’s veto power (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Cultivate transparent friendships that can warn you early (Proverbs 27:6). • Keep short accounts: confess quickly when convicted (1 John 1:9). • Structure your environment: remove triggers, set filters, adjust schedules (Matthew 5:29-30). • Pursue what builds others up, not merely what is “permissible” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). --- Walking Together Without Tripping Others • Know who is watching: children, new believers, seekers (Matthew 18:6). • When in doubt, err on the side of love—limit liberty for another’s good (Romans 14:19-21). • Speak truth gently; correcting without condemning clears obstacles (Galatians 6:1). • Model repentance; showing how to recover is as vital as showing how to stand (Luke 22:32). --- Promises for Those Who Keep Their Footing • “He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6). • “He is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless” (Jude 24). • “The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10). Stay in the Light, stay in the Word, stay in loving fellowship—and stumbling loses its grip. |
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