Don't Cause Another To Stumble

Brothers and Sisters, I have been thinking about things over the last few days and I was directed to seek out information on being a stumbling block. This world is full of stumbling blocks that affect us physically and spiritually. How we deal with these stumbling blocks have an effect on not just our daily lives but our future in the next. 
Types of Stumbling Blocks
Stumbling blocks are obstacles that keep us from God and cause trouble in our lives. There are many ways we can stumble. The words and actions of others can cause us to do things that are against our belief systems and cause us to sin. What we let enter our eyes and ears can affect how we react for the rest of the day and sometimes even longer if we let it linger. Sometimes the stumbling block will have eternal consequences. 
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9   
The example given in this passage pertained to food sacrificed to an idol but it goes much deeper than that. We all have certain liberties that we take which can be temptations to others. People can inadvertently tempt others in the food they eat, the liquids they drink, the words and way they speak, and the way they present themselves through dress and attitude. Those with weakness of belief can fall even further into sin.
Some stumbling blocks lead to addictions. Tempting someone with something that may make you feel good temporarily does have eternal consequence. Just as in the paragraph above, these can be intentional or unintentional temptations. It is our choice as to whether or not we allow ourselves to be tempted.  
Foods can lead a person two ways that involve healthy living. When someone is on a diet they avoid certain foods. If their will is not strong enough to maintain their diet then it could lead to eating the wrong things their bodies need. To avoid this, some will keep to themselves during lunches so it  is a bad idea for another person to tempt them with other foods.
Alcohol and drugs bring a person a false sense of happiness and hope. They can make us temporarily forget things, do things, or say things we would not ordinarily do. When someone is healing from an addiction we need to encourage them with kindness and not persuade them to return to the addiction by drinking or such in their presence.   
Be careful what comes out of the mouth. Words can hurt. This is nothing new but if a person is recovering from mental abuse it is best not to bring things up that may cause a relapse. Be careful how you speak and let only the good words come out of your mouth.
Modesty is a stumbling block that can cause multiple issues. In many societies of the Middle East, women are covered so that men do not look upon them with lustful eyes. The western culture is more open which stems from ancient Greek and Roman obsession/worship of the human body. The sexual drive and desires of mankind has gotten out of hand. This affects both genders equally. From provocative dress to partial nudity, humans have looked upon the opposite (and sometimes same) sex with immoral sexual desires. This failure has caused many good persons to stumble and fall into sin.       
You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.  Leviticus 19:14   
One of the most important changes we can make in our lives is to not cause others to stumble.  
How can we be good when this world does not like help. People have issues and our sinful nature tells us to egg them on and say nasty things about others current situations. To be a person trying to follow the Commandments of God we cannot let our evil inclinations get the better of us.
Don’t take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am Adonai. Leviticus 19:18
Kindness and charity, these are the ways in which God desires us to live. Jesus was a good example for this. Jesus did show anger every once in a while but most of the time it was a teaching point or a way of showing others how their behavior affects others.     
But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 2:8    
Do as I say not as I do is the mantra of many who teach but cannot live as they teach others to do. Great mentors have caused people to stumble. Public figures, celebrity, and social influencers have distorted views of the right way of living but do their best to either influence others not to be like them or to worship them. When God is not in the forefront of a public figure’s life, people will stumble if they cannot discern right from wrong.  
And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.”  Isaiah 57:14        
Living for God is the best way to build the Kingdom. If we live for God daily then we will influence the world to believe in God. This means making right choices and following God’s Word given to us through Adam and Noah. This means following the examples of Jesus and the twelve. We are to be able to discern right from wrong using the basic tenets and guidelines within the Law of God. If we can conduct ourselves in the way we are designed and created to do, we can create a life of harmony where we do not stumble or cause others to stumble as well. 
Brothers and Sisters, with a new year approaching let us reflect on the good things and not repeat the bad of this or previous years. Hold yourself to God’s standard of living because only His is eternal. Live, work, do as you are designed. Care for the world and it will care for you. This is the way to reflect and rever God so we can return to a relationship with Him and be His inheritance. 
In His Arms,
Rob, Servant of God