Dear reader, as followers of Christ, we are called to be lights in a dark world, guiding others toward holiness. Yet, there is a profound, terrifying danger in doing the opposite: leading another person—especially a vulnerable believer—into sin.
The Bible treats the act of causing a “little one” (a follower of Jesus) to stumble as a tremendous evil, inviting severe divine judgment.
What our Lord Jesus Christ said.
Jesus speaks with unmatched severity regarding this offense in Matthew 18:6:
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
This imagery is not accidental. In the first century, a large millstone, turned by a donkey, was immense and heavy. To be drowned with one around the neck meant certain death, sinking to the bottom with no hope of surfacing.
Jesus uses this vivid hyperbole to emphasize the extreme gravity of leading a believer away from God’s path. Such action is not merely a mistake; it is a direct assault on the spiritual life of another.
Eternal consequences.
The consequences are eternal. The person who intentionally, through apathy or active temptation, causes another to sin will be condemned by God. If unrepented of, this path leads straight to the darkness of hell, for to injure a child of God is to provoke the Protector of the weak.
The beauty of leading another person to holiness.
Conversely, the Scripture offers a beautiful promise for those who influence others toward righteousness. Daniel 12:3 states:
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Teaching others to live righteously has an eternal impact. Such individuals are compared to the permanent brightness of the stars, their legacy shining through eternity.
Therefore, let us be mindful of our actions. Do not be a stumbling block. Instead, be a beacon of righteousness, ensuring that our influence helps others to “shine” rather than to fall.
