AVOIDING STUMBLING BLOCKS

AVOIDING STUMBLING BLOCKS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

Key Verse: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” — 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Romans 14:13-21; Matthew 18:6-7; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-33; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 15:1-2

Description: A stumbling block is anything in our conduct, words, attitudes, or choices that can cause another person to fall spiritually. Mature Christians exercise their freedom carefully, placing love, edification, and the spiritual wellbeing of others above personal preferences.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is not lived in isolation. Our words, decisions, habits, and examples can influence the people around us. Paul therefore warns the Corinthian believers that even legitimate Christian liberty could become a stumbling block to weaker believers. Something that may not be sinful for one person can become spiritually dangerous when exercised carelessly before another.

A stumbling block is more than simply offending someone's personal preference. In the biblical context, it involves conduct that can seriously weaken another person's conscience, tempt them to sin, or cause them to turn away from faithful Christian living. This is why Paul took the matter seriously enough to say that if his freedom would cause another believer to stumble, he would willingly give up that freedom.

The call to avoid stumbling blocks is therefore a call to Christian maturity. We must learn to consider the consequences of our choices, exercise self-control, and place love above personal rights. Our goal should be to live in such a way that our example strengthens people's faith rather than weakens it.

1. UNDERSTAND WHAT A STUMBLING BLOCK IS

Spiritual influence carries responsibility.

a) A Stumbling Block Can Cause Another To Fall (Romans 14:13)
Believers should avoid conduct that deliberately or carelessly places another person in spiritual danger.

b) It Can Wound The Conscience (1 Corinthians 8:12)
Careless behaviour can deeply affect a believer who is still developing spiritual understanding.

c) It Can Encourage Sin (1 Corinthians 8:10)
Our example may influence another person to act against their conscience.

d) It Can Damage Christian Fellowship (Romans 14:16)
Personal freedom should never unnecessarily produce division or spiritual injury.

Biblical Example: Paul warned the Corinthians that exercising their liberty without consideration could cause weaker believers to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9-12).

2. BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR INFLUENCE

Every believer is an example to someone.

a) Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16)
Our conduct should direct people towards God rather than away from Him.

b) Be An Example In Conduct (1 Timothy 4:12)
Christian influence is demonstrated through speech, behaviour, love, faith, and purity.

c) Remember That Others Are Watching (Philippians 3:17)
Our lives can become patterns that others imitate.

d) Maintain A Good Testimony (1 Peter 2:12)
Godly conduct can influence people who are observing our lives.

Biblical Example: Timothy was instructed to become an example to the believers in every area of Christian conduct (1 Timothy 4:12).

3. DO NOT USE YOUR LIBERTY CARELESSLY

Freedom requires responsibility.

a) Take Heed (1 Corinthians 8:9)
Paul's warning calls believers to exercise deliberate caution.

b) Not Everything Is Profitable (1 Corinthians 6:12)
An action can be permissible without being beneficial.

c) Not Everything Builds Up (1 Corinthians 10:23)
The mature believer considers whether a choice strengthens others.

d) Do Not Become A Slave To Your Freedom (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Something that begins as freedom can become controlling if wisdom is abandoned.

Biblical Example: Paul was willing to limit his freedom when necessary for the sake of the Gospel and others (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

4. LET LOVE GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS

Love helps us see beyond ourselves.

a) Love Builds Up (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Love seeks to strengthen rather than damage others.

b) Seek The Good Of Others (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Christian living requires consideration for the welfare of others.

c) Serve One Another In Love (Galatians 5:13)
Freedom should become an opportunity for service.

d) Put Others Before Yourself (Philippians 2:3-4)
Humility causes us to consider the interests of others.

Biblical Example: Jesus demonstrated selfless love by laying aside His privileges to serve and save humanity (Philippians 2:5-8).

5. PROTECT THE CONSCIENCE OF WEAKER BELIEVERS

Spiritual maturity carries responsibility towards those who are still growing.

a) Receive The Weak (Romans 14:1)
We should not reject believers simply because their faith is not yet mature.

b) Do Not Despise Them (Romans 14:3)
Differences in understanding should not produce contempt.

c) Strengthen The Weak (Romans 15:1)
Those who are spiritually strong should use their strength to support others.

d) Avoid Wounding Their Conscience (1 Corinthians 8:12)
We must take seriously the effect of our conduct on developing believers.

Biblical Example: Paul chose not to eat meat rather than cause another believer to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:13).

6. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS AND EXAMPLE

Stumbling blocks can come through both actions and words.

a) Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29)
Our conversations should impart grace and encouragement.

b) Avoid Corrupt Communication (Ephesians 4:29)
Words that promote impurity, bitterness, gossip, or destruction can negatively influence others.

c) Let Your Example Match Your Message (Titus 2:7)
Our conduct should support what we teach.

d) Practise What You Preach (Matthew 23:3)
Hypocrisy can become a serious stumbling block to others.

Biblical Example: Paul encouraged Timothy to let both his teaching and his life provide a godly example to others (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

7. CHOOSE EDIFICATION OVER PERSONAL PREFERENCE

Christian maturity is demonstrated by what we are willing to surrender.

a) Pursue Peace (Romans 14:19)
Peace should be valued above unnecessary disputes.

b) Build Your Neighbour (Romans 15:2)
Our actions should contribute to the spiritual growth of others.

c) Be Willing To Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Paul chose to surrender a legitimate freedom rather than damage another believer.

d) Consider Eternal Consequences (Matthew 18:6)
Jesus strongly warned against causing vulnerable believers to stumble.

Biblical Example: Paul was prepared to abstain from meat altogether if eating it would cause his brother to fall (1 Corinthians 8:13).

8. MAKE CHRIST YOUR STANDARD

Jesus is the highest example of responsible living.

a) Follow His Humility (Philippians 2:5)
Christ did not use His position selfishly.

b) Follow His Love (John 13:34)
Jesus commanded His followers to love as He loved.

c) Follow His Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2)
Christ gave Himself for others.

d) Follow His Purpose (John 6:38)
Jesus lived to accomplish the Father's will rather than His own independent agenda.

Biblical Example: Jesus continually considered the spiritual and physical needs of others, demonstrating that godly freedom is expressed through sacrificial love.

CONCLUSION

Avoiding stumbling blocks requires spiritual sensitivity. We must recognise that our conduct can influence other people, particularly those who are younger or weaker in faith. Christian maturity is not demonstrated by insisting on every right we possess but by knowing when love requires us to surrender a legitimate freedom.

Let us therefore examine our lives regularly. Before exercising our freedom, let us ask whether our choice glorifies God, strengthens others, and protects the testimony of Christ. May our words, lifestyle, decisions, and examples never become obstacles that push people away from God. Instead, may our lives continually point others towards Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me wisdom to recognise and avoid every action that could become a stumbling block to another person, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, make me conscious of the influence my words, conduct, and decisions have on others, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from careless use of Christian liberty and give me spiritual sensitivity, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to consider the spiritual wellbeing of weaker believers in all my decisions, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let my words always build, encourage, restore, and strengthen those who hear me, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to surrender personal preferences and legitimate rights whenever necessary for the good of others, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to maintain a godly example that will draw people closer to Christ rather than drive them away, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, deliver Your Church from behaviours, attitudes, and controversies that create unnecessary stumbling blocks, in Jesus name.

9. Father, make me an instrument of peace, unity, restoration, and spiritual growth, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my entire life bring glory to You and become a positive example that strengthens the faith of others, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive divine wisdom to recognise every potential stumbling block and avoid it.

2. Your words shall strengthen people rather than weaken their faith.

3. Your lifestyle shall become a godly example to your family, church, and community.

4. You shall not abuse the liberty Christ has given you.

5. The Lord shall give you sensitivity towards those who are weak, young, or struggling in faith.

6. You shall have the humility to surrender personal rights when love requires sacrifice.

7. Your conduct shall promote peace, unity, holiness, and spiritual growth.

8. No careless decision shall destroy the good testimony God has established through your life.

9. You shall become a builder of lives and a strength to those who are spiritually weak.

10. Your life shall never become a stumbling block; rather, through your words and actions, many shall be drawn closer to Jesus Christ.