Romans 14:13 says, "Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." We should look at examples of stumbling blocks in the bible, so we can avoid putting them before others.

https://youtu.be/RmKPkzDyldo
What are examples of stumbling blocks in the bible? Romans 14:13 says, "Let us not put a stumbling block in the way of a brother."

Table of contentsTempting Others to Sin Is SinfulViolating Our Conscience Is SinThree Primary Ways We Stumble OthersFirst, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Encourage Them to Violate Their ConscienceSecond, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Encourage Them to SinThird, We Put a Stumbling Block Before Others When We Preach Christ

You have probably heard me say before that all sins are not the same, despite what some people say.

If I asked you what the worse sins are, what would you say?

Maybe idolatry, because it removes God from the throne He should occupy in our hearts?

Maybe murder, because it ends someone’s life, there’s no way to undo it, and the Bible says even causes the ground cries out for vengeance?

Maybe adultery, because it violates the most important earthly covenant we make?

The list could go on, but I’m guessing it would have to become pretty long before we would come up with the sin in this morning’s verses: the sin of stumbling others.

But based on what Jesus said should happen to people who commit this sin it should probably be toward the top of the list, because I can’t think of many things worse than being thrown into the sea with a huge weight tied around my neck.

So this morning, we are going to talk about the sin of putting stumbling blocks before others and look at examples in the Bible, so we can avoid committing this sin ourselves.

Tempting Others to Sin Is Sinful

Luke 17:1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

The ESV says temptations to sin, but you can probably see a footnote that says it means, “Stumbling blocks.”

The NKJV translates this as “offenses,” and has a footnote that says it mean “stumbling blocks”

The NIV says “cause people to stumble”

The NASB says “stumbling blocks,” and has a footnote that says it means “temptations to sin”

The Amplified Bible says “stumbling blocks” and then amplifies it, “Temptations and traps set to lure one to sin.”

You get the idea that stumbling people, or putting a stumbling block before people, is tempting people to sin.

There are lots of words for sin in the Bible, such as transgress, trespass, abomination, and iniquity. All the words are meaningful because they describe different ways of sinning.

Stumbling is the sin of tempting someone to sin.

The Greek word for temptations to sin, or stumbling blocks, is skandalon (pronounced skon-duh-lon), related to our word scandal. It comes from the word for a bent stick that springs a trap or sets the bait.

This is fitting because stumbling is setting a trap for someone else.

Scripture often uses the language of walking or running to describe the Christian life. Picture that imagery.

Stumbling is when someone stumbles or trips another believer…not physically, but spiritually in their relationship with the Lord.

Jesus said temptations to sin are sure to come.

Temptation is inevitable because we live in a sinful fallen world, but don’t be the person who introduces temptation into someone else’s life.

How bad is it to do so?

Jesus provides one of the most unique and terrifying warnings in Scripture. Look at verse 2…

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin (or stumble).

Just as Jesus is not talking about physically stumbling or tripping someone,