Are you a stumbling block to others? Do you create situations, knowingly or unknowingly, that cause issues or problems or failures for others? Do you judge others harshly when they cause you to stumble? Have you looked at yourself before passing judgment?
There are times when we might be a stumbling block to others unknowingly. It is those times when we purposely cause someone else to fail that we are defiantly disobeying God’s instruction. Most of us will not admit to causing others to fail purposely, at least not without fanfare from our friends.
Yes, our culture makes it popular to cause others to fail. It is when we gain praise for causing others to fail that we purposely go about it. It has become so popular that multiple reality shows are built on that very premise. Do whatever you can to cause someone else to fail.
However, we are explicitly told not to cause others to fail. We are not to put a stumbling block in their path. We are not to set them up for failure. We are not to judge others for doing the same exact thing we do. First, we are to clean up our own act. How can we do that?
We must rely on God and the spiritual gifts he has given us. When we tap into our spiritual gifts, we are tapping into God. When we tap into God, we will no longer put stumbling blocks in someone else’s path, nor will we judge them. After all, we are told to leave judgment to God.
I pray we all stop passing judgment. I pray we stop purposely putting stumbling blocks in others’ pathway. I pray each one of us tap into our spiritual gifts, thereby tapping into God. Do not judge. Do not put stumbling blocks in someone else’s path. Tap into your spiritual gifts. Tap into God. Seek the positive change in yourself.
Romans 14:13 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.
Marty Pressey 