September 23
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
Another consequence of immorality:
- You may make others stumble, God forbid you would make a child stumble or want to imitate your bad example!
When Christians stumble in immoral behavior, even something as seemingly harmless as viewing pornography, and others find out about it, it has a great likelihood of making someone stumble in some way at some time. You may think no one is affected by your behavior, but you are wrong. I think that the negative effect of these sins on others will generally fall into one of two responses: (a) they follow the example of evil doing and likewise stumble into immorality or other sins, or (b) they are repulsed by the sin but become jaded and skeptical toward God. In either case, faith and trust in God is diminished and unbelief spreads.
We have all heard of instances where the secret immoral sins of others come to light, especially Christian leaders. Think about the effects this has on others. It spreads unbelief in believers and unbelievers alike. Unbelievers and even some believers may be emboldened to commit immoral acts, because they may reason that if Christian leaders are doing it, and they know the scriptures better than most, it couldn’t be all that bad. They may reason that God doesn’t view it as a problem, or if He does, He forgives it and everything is fine. Or they may reason that if those who speak against it are doing it, then those who say it’s not a problem must know what they are talking about and there really is no legitimate reason to not do it. Or Christians may be led into thinking it isn’t really all that bad or that controlling oneself is not possible. One can imagine a number of false lines of thinking like this that Satan might use to deceive non-believers and Christians alike into following these examples and commit immorality also. The end results of this are that people are led to unbelief and disobedience to God.
In the other category of responses, people become jaded toward God and Christians in general. They probably will think Christians and Christian leaders are hypocrites. They think the Word of God cannot be trusted because here are people that taught others and yet didn’t follow it themselves. They may think that there is no power in Christianity and belief in God. Christians may become disheartened and start to question their own efforts and ability to overcome sin, thinking that if these leaders sin, then how can they hope to overcome it. Their faith and zeal for the Lord are diminished. Discouragement, disappointment, and disillusionment may come. The end results of this are that people are led to unbelief and disobedience to God.
I am convinced that every Christian who commits immoral acts, even viewing pornography, makes others stumble in these same ways. You may argue that you are not a high-profile Christian leader, but whoever you are, in whatever sphere of influence you have, be it large or small, the results on others will be the same: unbelief, disobedience to God, and jaded views of Christianity. And God forbid that one of those you make stumble in your unbelief and disobedience is a child! There is not passing pleasure of sin that is worth these consequences! Repent of these sins, now, my friends!