“It is better not to eat meat or
drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother or sister [in Christ] to fall.” (Romans 14:21,
NIV) More than I any other verse in the Bible
this one both confuses (and irritates me all at the same time).
As both a father, husband, and Christian, do
I have the right to be the unique man the Heavenly Father wishes me to be, or
must I restrict my actions (wherever I might be) so as to not to possibly offend
someone? Are others always responsible for their own actions?
Let’s take the following two examples between
close adult friends, Karina and Lilia, who enjoy spending lots of time together
in each other’s company (doing a variety of activities). Is anyone at fault?
(This is all your opinion as I will not be providing my input on the two scenarios
below.)
1.
Karina lives a healthy
lifestyle. Whenever she spends large amounts of time with her outgoing close friend,
Lilia, she finds that she feels tired, cranky, and overweight (because she eats
all the wrong stuff).
2.
Because of the violence,
profanity, and sexual content of many movies, Lilia prefers viewing only PG-13 (or
religious-based) movies at her local movie theater. Karina knows this, and still
chooses for the two of them to attend many of her movie choices (as close
friends) that are rated R or higher (NC-17).
On the topic of being a hindrance to someone
(in causing them to falter in their Christian walk), the scripture below (from The Message) provides adequate material
as you come to your own decision (on this topic):
1.
“But God doesn’t grade us on our diet. We’re neither commended when we
clean our plate nor reprimanded when we just can’t stomach it. But God does
care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer
still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.” (I Corinthians 8:8-9)
Are your priorities to
protect the values of a friend or live your existence (as you wish) in front of
them?
2.
“It’s God we are answerable to – all the way from life to death and
everything in between – not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and
lived again: so that He could be our Master across the entire range of life and
death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.” (Romans 14:8-9)
Wouldn’t you like out of all
the daily dramas you involuntarily find yourself in from those you are often
linked together with?
3.
“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your
life to pieces.” (Proverbs 13:20)
As a side note, you often
become the kind of person that you associate with friend-wise. If you wish to
be upbeat, connect with positive individuals.
If you want to be the kind
of human being that consistently finds fault with everything (and everyone) in
your world, complainers (of every kind) are everywhere you look (and listen).
Only you can draw the line for yourself between what’s acceptable (and what’s
not).
Isaiah 57:14 proclaims, “And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up,
and prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people.’” (Isaiah
57:14, NIV)
Another one of my great passions is to help individuals
remove any kind of problem (from their life path) so they can succeed beyond
what they thought was possible.
I never want to become a “stumbling block” (or
a problem) in any way that sets someone back in what they want to reach for in
life. Personally, are you a member of the encouragement brigade (or
discouragement task force)? Once again, your words (and actions) will make your
decision for you?
*Adapted from the article “Stupid Stumbling
Blocks” written by me on September 30, 1981.
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