How might one Christian be a stumbling block to another?

Restoration Kingdom Living Christian Life

TL;DR:

Christians may make a fellow believer stumble if they encourage the believer to do something they believe is sinful. In spiritually neutral matters, Christians should respect each other’s consciences.

what does the bible say?

The Bible teaches us to put others before ourselves. Even much of the Mosaic Law is rooted in that idea. In the Law God gave to the Israelites, He presents, in specific detail, how they were to treat each other and foreigners who came to live among them (Exodus 22:21). The Law forbade them from actions that would show a lack of love or respect toward others (Leviticus 19:9–10, 14; Deuteronomy 15:7–8; 24:14–15). The suggestion is that as God loves us, we should love others. Believers are not to act in ways that would cause others to literally or figuratively stumble. Jesus reiterates the importance of behavior that shows the love of God and love of others (Matthew 7:12; 22:37–40; Mark 12:29–31; Luke 10:27). Paul’s letters to the Romans and the Corinthians include admonitions about not acting in ways that would threaten a fellow believer’s conscience (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13). The idea in those passages isn’t about accepting sin, which we’re not to do (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19–20). Where sin isn’t an issue, we’re to respect a fellow believer’s conscience. Christians are to be salt and light and seek to not be stumbling blocks (Matthew 5:13–16).

from the old testament

Leviticus 19:14 forbids putting a literal stumbling block in front of the vulnerable: “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” The love and respect the Israelites were to show toward others was rooted in God’s holiness and love. Christians today should follow that same standard by not putting metaphorical stumbling blocks in front of fellow believers.

from the new testament

Matthew 7:12 records Jesus presenting an important tenet to guide our behavior: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” The whole of the Mosaic Law was rooted in love for God and love for others. Those who observe that will act in ways that will not make other believers falter.
In Romans 14:21, Paul explains the priority in our relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ: “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
Paul explains this further in 1 Corinthians 10:23–24: “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” Paul's point is that though we are no longer under the Mosaic Law, we should still not behave in ways that would make fellow believers vulnerable to sin. It’s not just about what we have a right to do, but what is in the best interests of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

implications for today

God wants us to think about others, not just ourselves (Matthew 7:12; 22:37–40; Mark 12:29–31; Luke 10:27). For instance, maybe you regularly have a glass of wine with dinner. That’s fine and is your right, legally and biblically, but would it be acceptable for you to open a bottle of wine in front of a believer who has struggled with alcoholism? Or even a brother or sister who doesn’t believe in drinking? No. It’s more loving to recognize that person’s vulnerability and curtail your drinking while around him or her. Or maybe a recent convert at church doesn’t make an effort to introduce herself or strike up a conversation with others. Your first reaction might be to think, “Why should I talk to her if she doesn’t make an effort to talk to anybody?” That’s the reaction of the “natural man” (1 Corinthians 2:14) and may be a stumbling block if that person feels unwelcome. The reaction of a loving Christian is to put pride aside and approach that person in fellowship—even if you take the initiative every week. Our goal should be to show love to others. Some believers may need to be handled with more discernment than others. While we have spiritual freedom in many matters, we must always consider how our behavior affects others. Christians are to be salt and light, not a stumbling block (Matthew 5:13–16).

understand

Christians can stumble others by encouraging sinful actions or by encouraging others to ignore their consciences.
We should prioritize others' well-being, avoiding actions that cause them to falter.
Love for God and others should guide us to avoid being stumbling blocks.

reflect

Have you unintentionally caused a fellow believer to struggle in their faith by your actions or attitudes?
How can you be more mindful of others' consciences in areas where you have spiritual freedom?
What is the importance of putting someone else’s well-being before your own desires?

engage

How do we navigate the tension between our Christian freedom and the responsibility to not cause others to stumble?
What are some practical ways we can be more intentional about showing love to others?
How can we support each other in areas where we may be vulnerable or struggling with sin?

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