luke 17: stumbling blocks

Today’s Reading: Luke 17

“Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” Luke 17:1

Self-evaluation time. The perfect world didn’t last long. Adam and Eve sinned almost immediately, and the consequence of sin has gone through every generation. Everywhere you turn, there is a temptation or trial around the corner waiting to try to entice you. We live amongst other sinful people who also try to tempt us or maybe their sinful nature just gets on our last nerve.

Jesus lived on earth so he knows every single sinful possibility that exists. He doesn’t condone the sin around us, he just says it is bound to come. His ultimate caution causes us to evaluate ourselves. He says, “woe to anyone through whom they (things that cause people to stumble) come.” 

Instead of looking at others who you interact with, ask yourself if you are the cause of stumbling for them. Life can be stressful. How do we act around others with this stress? Do you find yourself with a shorter fuse and snapping at people when you’re stressed, which then causes them to snap and have a short fuse too?

We need to make sure we are not causing others to stumble. As Christians, we should be pouring out the love and hope of Jesus rather than getting caught up on the things that stress us out.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you prioritize, have peace, and check yourself so you are not causing others to stumble.