What steps can we take to avoid leading others into sin today? Setting the scene “Jehoram also built high places on the mountains of Judah; he caused the dwellers of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.” (2 Chronicles 21:11) King Jehoram used his position to normalize idolatry. Instead of drawing people closer to the Lord, he actively redirected their devotion. His sad legacy urges us to ask: How can we keep from repeating his mistake and avoid leading anyone into sin today? Recognize the weight of our influence • Every believer exerts influence somewhere—home, church, workplace, online. • Romans 14:13 reminds us, “Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” • Acknowledge that careless choices can have ripple effects far beyond our intentions. Cultivate personal integrity first • Deuteronomy 6:5 calls us to love God “with all your heart” before teaching His statutes to others (6:7). • Private compromise eventually surfaces publicly. Jehoram’s private alliances with idolatry spilled over into national life. • Daily practices: – Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). – Maintain spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture intake, worship. – Seek Spirit-filled consistency between belief and behavior. Keep worship pure • Jehoram “built high places.” Anything that competes with God for affection becomes a high place today—career, entertainment, money. • Exodus 20:3–4 prohibits setting up rivals to the Lord. • Practical steps: – Evaluate media and habits: Do they stir love for Christ or distract? – Choose corporate worship over competing Sunday options. – Celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly to re-center on the gospel. Guard the gates of leadership • James 3:1 warns that teachers “will incur a stricter judgment.” • Before accepting roles—small-group leader, mentor, elder—examine motives. • Churches should vet leaders: lifestyle, doctrine, teachability (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). • Healthy leaders create healthy followers; compromised leaders reproduce compromise. Establish healthy accountability • Proverbs 27:17—“Iron sharpens iron.” • Invite trusted believers to ask tough questions about finances, relationships, media, theology. • Share passwords or device filters if needed (Ephesians 5:11-12). Transparency stifles secret sin that could mislead others later. Model repentance and humility • David sinned grievously yet repented publicly (Psalm 51). His humility became instructional, the opposite of Jehoram’s stubbornness. • When we fail, quick, visible repentance teaches others how to deal with sin properly rather than cover it up. Speak the truth in love • Ephesians 4:15 ties truthful speech to communal growth. • Correct gently (Galatians 6:1), refusing to normalize or joke about sin. • Celebrate obedience and encourage fainthearted believers (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Stay rooted in God’s Word • Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” • Scripture saturates our minds so we instinctively reject compromises. • Practical aids: Bible-reading plans, verse memorization, regular expository teaching. Living it out today 1. Start each day asking, “Lord, let nothing in me cause another to stumble.” 2. Conduct a “high-place inventory” this week—identify and tear down modern idols. 3. Connect with an accountability partner by Sunday night. 4. Share one scriptural insight with someone daily, steering conversations toward Christ. As we heed these steps, our lives become signposts directing others to the Savior rather than detours into sin. |
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