Stumbling Block

1 Corinthians 8:8-9 - Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.


Romans 14:1,17 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Application:

· Do I concern myself with trivial matters? Have I completely missed the essence of Christian living?
· Do I live an exemplary life? Does my life discredit my ministry?
· In my freedom do I serve God? In my freedom do I serve others in love?
· Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

We Put No Stumbling Block In Anyone's Path

2 Corinthians 6:3 - We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.


Romans 14:20 - Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:13 - Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

1 Corinthians 9:12 - If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:32 - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Application:

· Am I concerned that I live an exemplary life because I do not want my ministry to be discredited?
· Do I regard a weak brother’s scruples?
· Do I refrain from engaging in harmless practices if it will cause weaker brothers to sin?
· Because of love for others, I should be ready to surrender my rights
· Living to glorify God will result in doing what is beneficial to others, whether Christians or non-Christians

All Scripture verses taken from NIV