Woe to Those Who Cause Others to Stumble and Sin
Jesus exclaimed, “Woe” to those who cause others to stumble or fall into sin. Strong’s Greek 3759, οὐαί (transliterated “ouai”), conveys an intense exclamation of grief, dread, or denunciation.
Jesus exclaimed, “Woe” to those who cause others to stumble or fall into sin. Strong’s Greek 3759, οὐαί (transliterated “ouai”), conveys an intense exclamation of grief, dread, or denunciation. He said it would be better for such people to have a large millstone hung around their necks and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Millstones are each of two large, circular stones used for grinding grain. They were a large part of Jewish life (see image below for clarity purposes). “Even a “small” millstone can weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kg)… A “very large” millstone could easily weigh thousands of pounds / kilograms.“
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble (sin), it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. “Woe to the world for the causes of sin (temptations to sin, stumbling blocks, offenses). These stumbling blocks (temptations to sin, causes to sin, offenses) must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” Matthew 18:6-7
When we cause others to stumble, we do the work of the devil.
The punishment for being a stumbling block to others is severe. God does not take it lightly when we are careless and become a source of temptation to others to sin. The devil is called the tempter (Matthew 4:3). The first temptation to sin that came to Adam and Eve originated from Satan (Genesis 3:1-6). Therefore, in God’s eyes, every time we tempt or cause others to stumble, we are doing Satan’s work.
“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.” Romans 14:13
“Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:1-2
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.” Romans 14:21
Love does not cause others to stumble; being our brother’s keeper.
In a world where everyone wants to do what seems right in his own eyes, God calls us believers in Jesus Christ to a higher standard. We are to be our brother’s keeper. We are no longer to live for ourselves but also consider others and walk in love. Love does not harm a neighbor (Romans 13:10). Let’s be careful and watchful over our lives.
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:8-10
“We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself.” Romans 15:1-3
Christian freedom is a great responsibility.
Believers are called to a life of freedom. We have many liberties, but our freedom should not come at another’s expense. Our freedom should not lead to sin or cause others to stumble. Grace is not a license to sin. We shall be held accountable for how our actions affect others. If we are led by love in all we do, it will be our safeguard. Paul says in Romans 14:7, “For none of us lives to himself alone.” We should be willing to deny ourselves for the sake of our brothers and sisters. We are slaves of Christ and therefore slaves of righteousness. Jesus is our example; he denied himself for our sake.
“For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
“Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
A powerful judgment day testimony.
Recently I watched a powerful testimony by Brother Rod Pickens of a divine dream he had where God allowed him to witness judgment day.
One of the women whose judgment he witnessed was very scary but also demonstrates how serious God is about causing others to sin. This lady was a social media influencer and would post sexual and perverse content on her Facebook. The Lord Jesus told her that because of her perversion, she caused 300,000 people to turn from Jesus and fall into sexual sin and perversion. As a result, the blood of all these people was on her hands. Jesus was very angry because of the nature and influence of her sin. He then told her, “Depart from me!” and she was sucked into the portal opening into the lake of fire. I would highly recommend watching that short clip of his testimony (it also contains a link to the full testimony in the description). “For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men." Proverbs 23:27-28
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 25:41
God is not mocked.
May God help us to fear him, love others, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. God is not mocked.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” Matthew 18:8-9
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Have you given your life to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He loves us so much that he, our creator, left heaven and came to earth, died for us on the cross, taking our sins upon him so that we may be forgiven and receive his righteousness. He conquered death by rising from the dead and made a way for us who were dead in sin to be reconciled back to the Father (God). What’s more, he has prepared a wonderful home for us in heaven, where those who love him and obey him will spend eternity with him. Learn more here about how to be born again and have eternal life after this brief life on earth.
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