Do Not Cause Your Brother to Stumble
Romans: The Just Shall Live by Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 38:09
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· 533 viewsHarsh critcism is out of place among believers, who are urged to see each other in the best possible light. Criticism of God arises from a failure to understand His actions and purposes.
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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. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Grumbling forbidden among believers
Grumbling forbidden among believers
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
See also Mt 7:1–5; Ro 14:1–4; Ro 14:10–13; 1 Co 10:10; Ga 5:15; Php 2:14–16; Jas 4:11–12
Reacting to criticism
Reacting to criticism
Some criticism can be disregarded
Some criticism can be disregarded
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
See also 1 Co 4:2–5; Col 2:16–18
Stumbling blocks can be removed by settling the dispute
Stumbling blocks can be removed by settling the dispute
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
See also Pr 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Integrity is a defence against criticism
Integrity is a defence against criticism
Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
See also 2 Co 8:20–21; Tt 2:7–8
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Criticism can be constructive
Criticism can be constructive
Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
See also Pr 10:17; Pr 15:5; Pr 27:6; Pr 27:9; Pr 28:23
Criticism and complaint directed against God
Criticism and complaint directed against God
Criticism of God for his apparent injustice
Criticism of God for his apparent injustice
“Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
See also Je 20:7–9; Jon 4:1–4; Hab 1:1–4; Hab 1:12–17; Mal 3:13–15; Ro 9:19–21; Is 29:16; Is 45:9
You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
God’s Plan of Salvation
God’s Plan of Salvation
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.