Is there such a thing as assisted stumbling?

[Dave Slayer]

Is there such a thing as assisted stumbling? In other words, can we be held partly responsible if something we Christians are doing if we cause our fellow brother or sister to stumble? What does the Bible say?

 

[Vic C.]

Is there such a thing as assisted stumbling? In other words, can we be held partly responsible if something we Christians are doing if we cause our fellow brother or sister to stumble? What does the Bible say?

Absolutely, yes. This would be a good topic for the A&T Forum because verses may be required to defend one's belief.

 

[sheshisown]

:waving~ Heya Dave!

Hearing your question~ I am convicted of the question God asked Cain~~~ and I answer~ *(I am my brothers and my sisters keeper)* But do I act so?

You asked for what the bible says:

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 1 Cor. 8:9-13

From my understanding... certain Corinthain Christian' s had what they considered "superior knowledge" about meat offered as a sacrifice to idols. It did not bother their conscience to eat it at all... because they understood as Paul did, that idols are nothing, and that we are neither better or worse for eating meat sacrificed to idols. :eyebrow

They had this knowledge, but there were Christian brothers and sisters around them who did not~ so when these "weaker" ones saw thier brother chowing down on a steak that they KNEW had been offered to an idol, they thought~ "well if he can so can I!" :o

However~ the bible tells us~ 'whatever is not of faith it is sin'. :o So when these weak ones sat down to a plate of steak and mushrooms their consciences were not clear before God... because they simply did not understand thier freedom.

God has not given us liberties to harm and to destroy~ but to do good and to save others... So it is most odd when we use our "knowledge" to the destruction of others.

*BUT someone may say~ "What about my rights?" :rant Let us also say~ into the heart of each one of us myself especially included as my rights proclaim themselves... ... what about the weaker brother or sisters rights? :heart

We MUST understand this: To influence our weak brother to go against his conscience (and by this wound their weak conscience) is actually to sin against our Lord Who lives within them.

We often think it a small matter to offend a brother or a sister, but they carry the Lord Jesus Christ around daily, and He CHOOSES to walk thru everything with them as He does us. Would we stain Jesus?

Lord forgive us~ (forgive me for I have erred in this) And makes us "keepers" of your flock.

bonnie :shades

 

[Nick]

Moved topic to Apologetics and Theology.

And in answer to your question:

Is there such a thing as assisted stumbling? In other words, can we be held partly responsible if something we Christians are doing if we cause our fellow brother or sister to stumble? What does the Bible say?

Definately. I can think of many examples in life, and I expect many to be in the Bible also.

 

[destiny]

The Bible is full of examples of assisted stumbling.


Proverbs 7

1 My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,â€Â
And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words.
The Crafty Harlot
6 For at the window of my house
I looked through my lattice,
7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the youths,
A young man devoid of understanding,
8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night.
10 And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 She was loud and rebellious,
Her feet would not stay at home.
12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner.
13 So she caught him and kissed him;
With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “ I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him,
And will come home on the appointed day.â€Â
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life.
24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
26 For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.