Don’t Let Them Stumble
When your daily life impacts others, there is always a bit of fear that your mistakes, stumbles, sins, shortcomings, misjudgments, and failures will lead others down the wrong path or cause them to be discouraged or give them an excuse to give up. Jesus warned us about this — so did Paul, John, and James. We have seen this happen.
Right now I am keenly aware of several people I am trying to influence toward Jesus. I don’t want anything I do or say to be used by the evil one to keep them from Jesus. Am I worried about anything in particular? No! Is there some secret sin? No! But I am aware of Satan’s devious and conniving ways and I don’t want any of these precious ones to stumble because of me.
I will seek to be more vigilant in my efforts to honor the Lord and live a life of character and compassion, but I seek more than my intentions and strength in this battle for the souls of those precious to me! I want the Holy Spirit’s help and protection.
From my daily Bible reading yesterday comes this prayer that speaks to this concern, my concern, as I try to lead my family, my church, several new Christians, and several I want to come to Jesus:
O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don’t let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign LORD Almighty. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel (Psalm 69:6-7 NLT).
None of us is perfect, but everyone we lead and seek to influence is precious. We trust God to bridge the gap with grace and mercy and power.
Thank you for this! We all have failed but I wish to goforward and not cause someone else to stumble.
Thanks!
Parti Ezzell
Patti Ezzell
16 Jul 10 at 5:14 pm
Thank God we hold a faith that allows the past to be remembered no more and a future full of the bright light of hope. Daily I try to remember to start my prayers with the request that people not see me but a mirror image of Jesus. That means any pity parties, temper tantrums etc. need to be out of sight and sound…which means I have to stay in conversation with Father God much like Brother Lawrence. The Holy Spirit is faithful to put a check on my lips if I just remember to ASK. When I just crawl out of bed and attempt to get through the day “as best I can” there is always plenty of confession by evening. Then rectifying the flaws consumes even more time and by the time I’m done I am eager for the fresh start I am faithfully given the next morning.
Jan Wolfe
26 Jul 10 at 6:15 pm