What Are Examples of Stumbling Blocks in the Bible? (Luke 17:1-2 and Romans 14:13)

Romans 14:13 says, "Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." We should look at examples of stumbling blocks in the bible, so we can avoid putting them before others. https://youtu.be/RmKPkzDyldo What are examples of stumbling blocks in the bible? Romans 14:13 says, "Let us not put a stumbling block in the way of a brother." Table of contentsTempting Others to Sin Is SinfulViolating Our Conscience Is SinThree Primary Ways We Stumble OthersFirst, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Encourage Them to Violate Their ConscienceSecond, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Encourage Them to SinThird, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Preach Christ You have probably heard me say before that all sins are not the same, despite what some people say. If I asked you what the worse sins are, what would you say? Maybe idolatry, because it removes God from the throne He should occupy in our hearts? Maybe murder, because it ends someone’s life, there’s no way to undo it, and the Bible says even causes the ground cries out for vengeance? Maybe adultery, because it violates the most important earthly covenant we make? The list could go on, but I’m guessing it would have to become pretty long before we would come up with the sin in this morning’s verses: the sin of stumbling others. But based on what Jesus said should happen to people who commit this sin it should probably be toward the top of the list, because I can’t think of many things worse than being thrown into the sea with a huge weight tied around my neck. So this morning, we are going to talk about the sin of putting stumbling blocks before others and look at examples in the Bible, so we can avoid committing this sin ourselves. Tempting Others to Sin Is Sinful Luke 17:1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! The ESV says temptations to sin, but you can probably see a footnote that says it means, “Stumbling blocks.” The NKJV translates this as “offenses,” and has a footnote that says it mean “stumbling blocks” The NIV says “cause people to stumble” The NASB says “stumbling blocks,” and has a footnote that says it means “temptations to sin” The Amplified Bible says “stumbling blocks” and then amplifies it, “Temptations and traps set to lure one to sin.” You get the idea that stumbling people, or putting a stumbling block before people, is tempting people to sin. There are lots of words for sin in the Bible, such as transgress, trespass, abomination, and iniquity. All the words are meaningful because they describe different ways of sinning. Stumbling is the sin of tempting someone to sin. The Greek word for temptations to sin, or stumbling blocks, is skandalon (pronounced skon-duh-lon), related to our word scandal. It comes from the word for a bent stick that springs a trap or sets the bait. This is fitting because stumbling is setting a trap for someone else. Scripture often uses the language of walking or running to describe the Christian life. Picture that imagery. Stumbling is when someone stumbles or trips another believer…not physically, but spiritually in their relationship with the Lord. Jesus said temptations to sin are sure to come. Temptation is inevitable because we live in a sinful fallen world, but don’t be the person who introduces temptation into someone else’s life. How bad is it to do so? Jesus provides one of the most unique and terrifying warnings in Scripture. Look at verse 2… Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin (or stumble). Just as Jesus is not talking about physically stumbling or tripping someone, so too He is not talking about physical little ones, or babies, but spiritual little ones, or new believers or baby Christians. Can you see why Jesus would mention new believers or baby Christians? They are the most vulnerable: They would be the easiest to stumble or tempt to sin They might not know better The Pulpit Commentary said, “The reference is clearly to disciples whose faith was only as yet weak and wavering - to men and women who would be easily influenced either for good or evil.” Essentially, Jesus said: “People are going to take the bait, but woe to you if you offer the hook. People are going to trip up, but woe to you if you set the stumbling block in their way.” A millstone was a large stone for grinding grain. It was so large it took a donkey to turn it. If someone was thrown into the sea with this around their neck they would certainly drown. Gentiles used this form of execution, which made it more offensive to the Jews. Did Jesus literally mean that tempting someone to sin is so bad it would be better to have this happen? No, I don’t think He meant it literally. As we have talked about before, Jesus spoke with hyperbole or exaggeration to make a point, and this is another example. He wants to drive home how bad it is to tempt someone to sin, so He makes it sound like a horrible death would be better. Now let’s look at some examples of stumbling blocks in the Bible so we can learn what it looks like to avoid doing this ourselves. Almost three years ago when COVID began I preached some sermons on knowledge and wisdom to help us walk through that season together. I’m revisiting a few of the same places, but quickly to keep this to one sermon. Here’s the context so this makes sense… Paul is discussing two groups of people, the Gentiles and Jews, and they both think they’re sinless or free from judgment for different reasons. The Jews think they’re free from judgment – or sinless – because have the law. They thought having the law made them good. The Gentiles think they’re sinless or free from judgment because they didn’t receive the law. So they think they aren’t accountable because they didn’t know better! Paul wants to convince both groups they’re sinners so they see their need for the Savior. Romans 2:12a For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, These are Gentiles and Paul says they’ll perish because they’re sinners. He’ll elaborate on this in verses 14 and 15. Romans 2:12b and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. These are Jews who have the law, and they’ll be judged because… Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. It’s not enough to simply have the law. You must obey it perfectly, which they didn’t do. The Gentiles didn’t have the law telling them right from wrong, but they did have something else. Look at verse 14… Romans 2:14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. When Gentiles obey parts of the law without having the law, they’re showing they recognize certain things – lying, stealing, and murder – are wrong. They’re able to choose between right and wrong, but they still choose wrong. Notice it says they are a law to themselves. Their conscience serves as a law for them. Violating Our Conscience Is Sin Romans 2:15a They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARS WITNESS, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. These are the two things our consciences do: Accuse us when we do something wrong. Excuse us when we do something right. Gentiles don’t have the Mosaic law but they have a conscience which serves as a law telling them not to do certain things, and when they do those things anyway, they are breaking the law and are as guilty as Jews breaking the Mosaic law. Here’s a quote I like… “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” If you convince someone to do something against his will – or conscience – but he isn’t really convinced – he’s of the same opinion – he ends up sinning against his conscience…because he broke that law If a conscience serve as a law, then it’s a serious thing for people to violate their conscience, because they’re breaking the law and sinning. But do you know what’s even worse? When you tempt someone else to violate their conscience. Doing so is putting a stumbling block before them. Three Primary Ways We Stumble Others Here’s the context for Romans 14 because we are jumping into the middle of it. The Romans were arguing about food and days of the week. The important thing to know is these are nonessentials  that are amoral – not moral or immoral – so it doesn’t matter how people feel about them. Nobody is right or wrong. If Paul was talking about moral issues, it would absolutely matter how people felt. Then there would be right and wrong. But because these issues are amoral, look what Paul says in verse 13… Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK or hindrance in the way of a brother. Paul says two things not to do: First, don’t pass judgment or look down on others over these nonessentials Second, don’t put a stumbling block before anyone that could cause them to violate their conscience. First, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Encourage Them to Violate Their Conscience Romans 14:14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but IT IS UNCLEAN FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS IT UNCLEAN. This is interesting. We know from many verses that Paul thought all food was clean.