Anchor My Faith

The Seriousness of Temptation

Scripture: Matthew 18:7; Mark 9:42; Luke 9:42

With our previous lesson we finished up the section about who is the greatest in the kingdom of God and found them to be servants. With this lesson we begin a section titled, “Children and Stumbling Blocks” which addresses those who would cause believers to stumble in their walk with God. Jesus has some very harsh words for those who cause others to sin.

^{Lk 17:1} “And he said to his disciples, ^{Mt 18:7} “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! ^{Lk 17:1} Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”’

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). That world that God so loved is a world in which sin exist to which Jesus was sent to share the gospel and purchase our salvation through his death on the cross. Because of our sin nature there is the potential of committing offences, such as bad examples, unholy lives of Christians, persecutions, scoffs, thoughtlessness; things which lead so many astray. It is these offences that will be the cause of woe or suffering in the world. These offences will cause us to sin or will produce temptations that cause others to sin.

Because of our depravity, there will always be some who tempt others to sin, especially endeavoring to lead Christians astray from Jesus and the truth and rejoicing when they have succeeded in causing them to fall. Each of us as believers live in bodies of flesh that are corrupt and contain the force of passion which can lead us astray and into sin.

Jesus said that temptations would come, but woe to the one who brings them. There is probably no greater sin than the wickedness of one who attempts to disrupt peace, defile the pure, and destroy the souls of others, and yet in all ages there have been multitudes who, by persecution, threats, arts, allurements, and persuasion, have endeavored to seduce Christians from the faith and to lead them into sin.

^{Mk 9:42} “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. ^{Lk 17:3} Pay attention to yourselves!”

In Mark 9:37 ESV, Jesus said, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Jesus now warns against causing such people to sin, that is, to lead them to disbelief or to transgress God’s moral laws. Anyone who would do this, Jesus says, will receive severe punishment from God.

Jesus then tells his disciples to pay attention to themselves for they are also in danger of committing such sins. These warnings that Jesus is sharing with his disciples are warnings to us as well.

Conclusion

How intentional are we to encourage the spiritual growth of others and not in some way be a hinderance to them and thus fall under the woe of God’s judgment?