Be Careful What You Bring to the Table

November 5, 2018

Be Careful What You Bring to the Table

Romans 14:13

Sarah Thomas

Central Truth

Temptation is real for all of us, so there's no place for judgment as followers of Christ. Instead, we should be an encouragement. We must take responsibility for our words and actions to ensure we don't cause our brothers and sisters to stumble.

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 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.

Last year, I completed my first Whole30, a 30-day elimination diet where you cut added sugar and inflammatory foods. I was going strong on day 28 when I attended new leader training for re:generation, Watermark’s biblical recovery ministry. John Elmore started the meeting by plopping a Costco-sized bag of Skittles on the table. Thanks, John. Really helpful. Thankfully, I resisted and hit my goal two days later, but if that bag had been M&M's, this story would’ve ended differently.

The struggle is real. Can I get an “Amen”?!

Before re:generation, my pride kept me from believing in the power of temptation. I judged others for their lack of self-control, believing I was stronger and capable to resist on my own. Through the recovery process, God revealed the weight of my ugly sin, and I finally saw the plank in my own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). I learned that I can’t rely on my own strength (Romans 7:18) and have no authority to judge anyone.

The good news is that we aren’t designed to battle alone. Rather, we should rely on Christ who provides a way out. “[W]ith the temptation he will also provide the way of escape . . . .” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Have you ever considered yourself to be a way of escape for someone? Think about it. God calls us to “stir up one another to love and good works” and to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25), right? If our words or actions cause a brother to stumble, we can’t be effective encouragers. We can’t witness.

Paul’s language in this verse is convicting. He says to not judge any longer and decide never to place a stumbling block or be a hindrance. Never is a long time. How are we doing, church?

Consider the impact our lives could have on others if we took Paul’s advice.

Before I followed Christ, my dinner-party contributions were pride and a desire to be liked. I was so caught up in myself that I missed opportunities to encourage others to know Christ more. Now, I want to bring the platter Jesus would bring: love without judgment and celery for the Whole30 party.

This month's memory verse

Submission to the Authorities

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

– Romans 13:1

1. What are your “Skittles”? Identify the greatest source(s) of temptation in your life. Tell those around you how they can help you run from sin and toward Christ.

2. What are you bringing to the table that might cause another to stumble? Think about how you speak and act. Ask God to reveal areas where you may be a stumbling block for others, and then ask Him to use you as a building block instead.

3. In what areas are you prone to judge others before looking in the mirror? Confess this to someone today (1 John 1:9).

4. How can you stir up others to love and good works? Pray for opportunities to encourage others in their journey to know Christ more. Reach out to someone today who needs your encouragement.