Section 73---Do Not Offend
Matthew 18:7-9
Mark 9:42-50
Luke 17:1-2
Point 3: Avoid offense; do not provoke others to sin. Don't be the conduit through others are prompted or weakened.
God considers not only our actions, but the impact that those actions have on others.
"It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour." Matthew Henry on Romans
Example: Bathsheba and David's baby dies as a consequence of his sin:
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.” 2 Samuel 12:13-14
Example: According to Matthew Henry, opening a moral pit is similar to opening a physical one:
“When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his." Exodus 21:33-34
"This woe is the moral of that judicial law (Exo_21:33, 21:34-22:6), that he who opened the pit, and kindled the fire, was accountable for all the damage that ensued." -Matthew Henry
In general, Mat_18:7. Having mentioned the offending of little ones, he takes occasion to speak more generally of offences. That is an offence, 1. Which occasions guilt, which by enticement or affrightment tends to draw men from that which is good to that which is evil. 2. Which occasions grief, which makes the heart of the righteous sad. Now, concerning offences, Christ here tells them,
(1.) That they were certain things; It must needs be, that offences come. When we are sure there is danger, we should be the better armed. -MH
Romans 14 develops the idea of empowering other Christians by encouraging them and avoiding unnecessary judgement. It's a complex concept, teaching that the believer's influence on others and faith should be the plumbline, not the issue itself:
Luke 17:1-2
Point 3: Avoid offense; do not provoke others to sin. Don't be the conduit through others are prompted or weakened.
God considers not only our actions, but the impact that those actions have on others.
"It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour." Matthew Henry on Romans
God takes great offense when there is hypocrisy.
"You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:23-24
Example: Bathsheba and David's baby dies as a consequence of his sin:
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.” 2 Samuel 12:13-14
Example: According to Matthew Henry, opening a moral pit is similar to opening a physical one:
“When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his." Exodus 21:33-34
"This woe is the moral of that judicial law (Exo_21:33, 21:34-22:6), that he who opened the pit, and kindled the fire, was accountable for all the damage that ensued." -Matthew Henry
In general, Mat_18:7. Having mentioned the offending of little ones, he takes occasion to speak more generally of offences. That is an offence, 1. Which occasions guilt, which by enticement or affrightment tends to draw men from that which is good to that which is evil. 2. Which occasions grief, which makes the heart of the righteous sad. Now, concerning offences, Christ here tells them,
(1.) That they were certain things; It must needs be, that offences come. When we are sure there is danger, we should be the better armed. -MH
Romans 14 develops the idea of empowering other Christians by encouraging them and avoiding unnecessary judgement. It's a complex concept, teaching that the believer's influence on others and faith should be the plumbline, not the issue itself:
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." Romans 14:1
"Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself." Romans 14:7
"Therefore 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." Romans 14:13
"The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves." Romans 14:22
"They that love God's law have great peace, and nothing shall offend them." Psa_119:165.
We must think nothing too dear to part with, for the keeping of a good conscience. -MH
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