Skip to main content

Stumbling Blocks

Theme:​

Christian liberty must always be governed by neighborly love.

Freedom without neighborly love becomes a stumbling block.

I. Your Life Is Not Your Own

Christian freedom begins with ownership.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV)​

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

We do not belong to ourselves. We were purchased. Therefore, freedom is not self-expression — it is stewardship.

Romans 14:7–8 (KJV)​

“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.”

Our choices affect others because our lives belong to the Lord.

II. Liberty Can Become a Stumbling Block

Christian liberty is real — but it is not absolute.

1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)​

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

The warning is not against freedom. The warning is against careless freedom.

III. Who Is the “Weaker” Brother?

The weaker brother is not someone who merely dislikes something.

He is someone in danger of falling into sin.

Illustration:​

Imagine two 1st-century Christians:

Demetrius and Clement — both former idolaters, now saved.

  • Demetrius avoids marketplace meat because, to him, it represents pagan worship.
  • Clement understands that idols are nothing and eats the meat freely.

One day in the market:

Demetrius sees Clement eating meat sacrificed to idols. He is troubled. Clement laughs and encourages him to eat.

Demetrius, pressured by confidence, eats.

Biblically:

  • Clement sinned by wounding a brother’s conscience.
  • Demetrius sinned because he violated his conscience.

More importantly: Demetrius is learning to ignore his conscience — a dangerous habit.

Liberty used carelessly can train someone to silence conviction.

IV. Historical Context

Romans 14​

Written to believers in Rome — Jews and Gentiles struggling over food laws and holy days.

1 Corinthians 8​

Written to Gentile believers in Corinth, surrounded by pagan temples and idol sacrifices.

In both cases: The issue was not food. The issue was neighborly love.

V. Hypocrisy and Public Sin

Imagine a man named Daniel.

He openly professes Christ at work. He talks about church. He posts Bible verses online.

But: He gossips about coworkers. He cuts corners when no one is watching. He joins crude conversations to “fit in.” He gets drunk at the company party. A non-Christian coworker named Marcus watches all of this.

Marcus had been quietly curious about Christianity. He had even considered visiting Daniel’s church. But now he concludes:

“If that’s what Christianity produces, I’m not interested.”

Daniel’s behavior becomes a stumbling block — not by encouraging Marcus into a specific sin, but by hardening his heart against the Gospel.

Question: If I went and talked to people who know you (whether coworkers, friends, acquaintances, etc.), how many would say "oh yea, insert_your_name_here is definitely a Christian"?

Notes to Self:

  • Red Solo Cup Account
  • Marine Account
  • Life of Pi

Biblical Principle:

Romans 2:24 (KJV)​

“For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you…”

When believers live inconsistently, unbelievers mock God.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)​

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

If light does not shine clearly, people do not glorify God — they dismiss Him.

1 Peter 2:12 (KJV)​

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works… glorify God…”

Our conduct either removes obstacles to the Gospel or creates them.

VI. Why This Is Serious

A Christian can: Normalize sin in front of unbelievers. Model a watered-down version of discipleship. Give justification for rejecting Christ. Confirm someone’s prejudice against Christianity.

That is a different kind of stumbling block than Romans 14 — but it is just as dangerous.

VII. Core Principle

Freedom is not the highest Christian value. Neighborly love is.

If exercising a right:

  • Confuses
  • Encourages compromise
  • Pressures someone against conscience
  • Leads someone back toward former sin

Then neighborly love restrains liberty.

Closing Thoughts

You are not your own. You were bought with a price.

Therefore: Use your freedom in a way that helps others stand — not stumble.