It is a blessing to witness the growth of newborn Christians and young believers. Submission in baptism and the journey of young people developing their faith in God is a source of encouragement and blessing to the entire community (1 Timothy 4:12). However, not all new converts maintain their faith in God, as we have observed in the number of children who have strayed from the path of faith in recent years.
Every Christian community carries a significant responsibility to create an environment conducive to the spiritual growth of these young believers. Our actions must not discourage them or hinder the natural progression of their faith (Matthew 18:6-10). This passage in Matthew warns sternly against causing Christ’s disciples to stumble, and we must take heed.
The Bible teaches we can stumble, fall into sin, and risk being lost forever. We cannot simply rest on our laurels after witnessing their transformation. Instead, we must nurture them to become mature Christians (1 Peter 2:1-2; Hebrews 5:11-6:2). The world is littered with temptation, and the devil seeks to destroy their souls. Therefore, we must protect and prepare them to overcome these challenges. There will always be occasions of stumbling (Matthew 18:7); we must be vigilant to ensure that we are not a stumbling block for anyone in their faith journey.
It is crucial to understand that the individual who falls into sin is personally responsible for their transgressions; they cannot blame someone else’s sinful conduct (Ezekiel 18:20). However, those who provide the occasion for sin are also accountable for their role in enabling corruption (Matthew 18:7).
Stumbling Blocks
Peers: The sinful world often lures people into participating in immoral activities (Proverbs 1:10-15; 4:14-17). Unfortunately, our peers sometimes lead Christians astray, even those who attend church with them. This can happen through participating in sinful activities or taking them along to questionable gatherings, where they might justify their actions by the behavior of others.
Indifferent Church Members: Members not committed to the Lord’s work can breed indifference within the congregation (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9; Revelation 3:15-17). This lack of commitment can influence our young people, making them even less dedicated to their faith and eventually leading to the abandonment of their faith.
Church Squabbles: Fights and conflicts among church members can cause souls to be lost (Galatians 5:15). Whenever such problems arise, there is often a fallout of members who never return to any church.
False Doctrine: False teachers can deceive the unlearned, leading them into destructive heresies (Ephesians 4:15; 2 Peter 2:1-2). These misguided guides can destroy unsuspecting souls, making it crucial for us to resist false teachings and protect the weak and uninformed (Matthew 15:14).
Hypocritical Church Members: Members who lead double lives, one at church and another at home, can damage the faith of young and vulnerable Christians. This hypocrisy can discourage individuals from pursuing faith by using the excuse, “There are too many hypocrites at that church.”
Weakness in Conviction: Our weaknesses can inadvertently encourage others to stumble. For example, their children may cite a parent’s prior indiscretions as justification for their sinful behavior.
The severity of being the cause of someone else’s stumbling is evident in the punishment described in Matthew 18:6-9. Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary (1 Corinthians 8:11) demonstrates the gravity of this issue, ultimately leading to the downfall of the stumbling soul (2 Peter 2:20-22).
Due to the gravity of being the cause of someone else’s stumbling, we must be willing to forgo certain liberties to safeguard another’s soul (Matthew 18:8). We should never push the boundaries of God’s word, attempting to see how close we can get to sin without actually engaging in it, as our actions have a profound impact on the lives of those who look up to us.
Wherein we may have been guilty of causing stumbling in the past, let us humbly repent and seek the Lord’s forgiveness, committing to be better examples for the growth and preservation of the faith of the little ones among us.
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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