Stumblingblock

 Rom 14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 

Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 

Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 

Let us not judge one another anymore, rather let us not cause a brother to stumble.

Does this mean we let open sin in a Christian brother or sister in our church? No it does not Paul already addressed that in Corinthians.

What this means is in our lifestyle we ought not do that which might cause someone to stumble and fall. Might cause them to sin and like it and stay in that sin, fall out of church and service all because they saw us do something.

Whatever you do be prepared for some one to see it, do it and fall into sin because of it.

You say well the chances of that happening are slim. Well if they are so slim then why is Paul addressing it?

Ok you are strong enough to drink and not be a drunk, but can the new Christian you have over who sees you drink or the alcohol in your house be that strong?

If you smell like cigarettes or cigars and someone else falls into that because they are not strong enough to avoid the temptation.

What about smut? Same thing.

Skipping church? Same thing.

It is not about what is your convenience, it is your influence that should make you tread so very carefully.

Who are you influencing? Who are you leading astray?

In the next chapter Paul addresses this even more clearly.

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 

It is better to deny yourself what you think you can handle, than to cause a weaker brother or sister to fall.

Perhaps it is time we get back to this in every aspect of our lives. Living for others, dying to self, and being a light to a lost and dying world.