Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Stumbling block: an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against, he stumbles or falls; OR that over which a soul stumbles i.e. by which is caused to sin.
Offence: a trap, snare: any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling) i.e. a rock which is a cause of stumbling.
Did you know the word offence is listed 25 times in the Greek Old Testament and 15 in the New? It is one method of the enemy, a trap and snare used to draw others into sin. It is important that we understand offence and see it always as a stumbling block and snare to the soul.
I recently encountered a situation in my own life where a miscommunication by another individual started words and actions against me; setting in motion an occasion for me to take an offense and fall. I can testify that if the Holy Spirit had not already prepared me to be on guard; then a door to sin may have been opened. We know that when we open a door to sin that your soul is vulnerable for attacks by the enemy. That is why it is so important that a soul does not stumble or fall into sin as they can be lost forever. Sin separates us from God (until we repent) and it takes hold quickly and festers like an ugly sore that needs the healing balm of Jesus. We will all stand before the judgment seat of God one day and be judged for our words and actions. It is a serious situation when we know a brother or sister has a weakness and we do not consider the matter and say or do something that will cause them to fall into sin. If we purposely set up ways for others to fall then we better be ready to stand before the Lord and suffer the consequences of those actions.
A good example of an offense is when Jesus was speaking to his disciples about how he must go and suffer many things and be killed and raised on the third day. Peter basically said. “No Lord, surely it shall not be so.” Matthew 16: 23: Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. In other words; this is the work of Satan and by your speaking this you are becoming as a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things from a human point of view, not from God's divine plan and purposes. Jesus came to defeat Satan and forgive sin once and for all; he did that by going to the cross and conquering death by his resurrection!
I was thinking about how these individuals that spoke to me thought they were doing the right thing and were truly clueless as to the way they just jumped in and did not take time to verify before they spoke. I remember thinking as they were speaking to me how I need to guard my thoughts and be slow to speak. Later I was thinking about the word of God that says we are not to judge one another AND we are responsible for what we say, and how we say it, as it relates to our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. There were so many times when I would speak a word and not even consider how it would make the other person feel or react. I am so glad that this situation happened, I am thankful that the Lord allowed me to see how our words and actions are important.
The enemy is watching all the children of God and looking for an entry of offense. Guard your hearts and minds against these things (these are only a few examples):
- Miscommunication
- Unforgiveness
- Grudges
- Anger
- Hatred
- Pay back evil for evil
- Jealousy
- Envy and strife
- Gossiping
- Slander
Mary Meile
