October 14, 2013

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. Romans 14:13 (NIV)



⁵² “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” Luke 11:52 (NIV)

A vexation arises, and our expressions of impatience hinder others from taking it patiently. Disappointment, ailment, or even weather depresses us; and our look or tone of depression hinders others from maintaining a cheerful and thankful spirit. We say an unkind thing, and another is hindered in learning the holy lesson of charity that thinketh no evil. We say a provoking thing, and our sister or brother is hindered in that day's effort to be meek. How sadly, too, we may hinder without word or act! For wrong feeling is more infectious than wrong doing; especially the various phases of ill temper,—gloominess, touchiness, discontent, irritability,—do we not know how catching these are?

F.R. Havergal (1846-1879) English poet and hymn writer*

For years since I have quit drinking, one of my reasonings for that decision was not to put a "stumbling block. . .in the way of a brother or sister."  While I still believe this is solid rationale for a Christian's abstinence, Havergal's comments take the stumbling block reasoning to a much more daily, every-minute-of-every-day level.

A look.  A reaction.  A sigh.  An attitude.  All can be an "obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."  Perhaps worse, these same things could be what Satan uses to reinforce a lost person's denial of Jesus Christ.

These things are also much more difficult to control. 

*Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 20
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html