Luke 17:1-4 – Hypocrisy

It is a great sin to put stumbling-blocks in front of other people’s souls. When does this happen? When do men or women cause others to stumble? Whenever they try to stop or slow down believers from serving Christ. But this isn’t the only way men and women cause others to stumble. Those who claim to be Christians can do it whenever they bring shame on the name of Christ by being inconsistent or hypocritical. When we say one thing and do another, we are putting a stumbling-block in front of the souls of those watching us. We are giving them an excuse for neglecting or ignoring Christ. We need to ask ourselves whether we are doing good or evil to Christ by our actions. Men and women will always be watching those who profess Christ, and they will judge us far more by what we do than by what we say. The cross of Christ will always offend people. Let us not increase that offense by carelessness in our daily life. Unbelievers can’t be expected to love the Gospel, but let us not disgust them by hypocrisy.

These verses also teach us the great importance of a forgiving spirit. The ability to forgive others is a good indicator of whether we ourselves have been forgiven. The man who can’t forgive his neighbour seems to know nothing of the free and full forgiveness given us by Christ. The ability to forgive is a mark of the Holy Spirit working within you causing your faith to bear fruit.

Look at your own life. If you are honest, you know that you have often offended someone and caused them to stumble by your behaviour. You have often allowed unkind, angry, and revengeful thoughts to take root in your heart. This should not be. Ask Christ for forgiveness and the ability to do better, so that your Christian life will be beautiful.

Questions
1. How do we make others stumble?
2. Why should we forgive others?

Prayer Points
1. Pray that our lives would bring honour not shame to Christ.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.