Stumbling Blocks

Isn't it funny how, when we're caught up in our own crazy opinions and ways, we cause the less firm in their faith to falter and, at times, fall away? It's crazy some of the points that cause fights that I see occurring within churches. Are we not called to not create dissension and divisions?

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Why then do we cause such a great stir and fight about something that there is no true answer for? All of this said applies to much greater issues, that is why I am so fervently expressing my beliefs. However, our topic of class was about Halloween. We did not, through our discussion condemn nor support the celebration of this holiday, and that will be my goal once more - to not impose my beliefs. Since both sides are because of opinion, the main focus of this lesson is stumbling blocks.

Although the entire chapter of Romans 14 is marvelous on this topic, I will try my hardest to limit to only a few verses for short reading.

Romans 14:1-5

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

 ⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 

Romans 14:13-14

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 

Romans 14:22-23

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. 

Do I even need to elaborate? If something I do can cause a brother or sister to stumble, I will do it in private or give it up even if the thing is not inherently wrong. We are a family, and families must make sacrifices for the good of everyone. Unless someone is committing a sin that is not disputable if it was a sin, we are not to condemn nor judge. Let God do this, for it is his job. For further reading, please read

1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14





1 Corinthians 8:4-7

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge.

God bless, and always keep your brother and sisters in mind.