Don't Cause Others to Sin

Matthew 18:5-11

5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Jesus had just instructed the disciples in humility telling them they needed to become like little children to enter into the kingdom of heaven. That implies that Jesus accepts and receives children, but He also receives adults who have a natural humility like children do. Anyone who receives a child in Jesus’ name is in essence receiving Jesus. However, if someone cause a little one to sin, it would be better if he were drowned in the depth of the sea. This is a serious contrast! Jesus is saying death is better than causing a believer to sin. Jesus acknowledged the world would bring offenses that cause believers to sin, but He pronounced a woe on the person who brings the offense. Then He says to what extremes one must go to avoid causing others to sin. He mentions cutting off a hand or foot and plucking out an eye. The person who causes a little one to sin despises those whom Jesus came to save. That is why He said it would be better to enter life maimed, lame, or blind because the alternative is to be cast into hell fire.

Jesus is not commanding His disciples to mutilate themselves to ensure they enter the kingdom of heaven. Even if you cut off your hand you could still sin with the other hand. If you gouged out an eye, you could still look at things you shouldn’t with the other eye. The issue is not with the members of your body but with the sin that is in your heart. Jesus instructs us to deal harshly with the sin in our own lives. Take drastic measures to guard yourself from sin so you don’t stumble other believers. They are Jesus’ little children. Live openly before others. Confess your faults and failures to a fellow believer you trust who will help keep you accountable and pray for you (Jas. 5:16). Humble yourself before them. If you cause someone to sin, you are despising them. Simply put, you are not acting humbly because you are esteeming your sin more than the fact that Jesus died for them. Jesus said it is inevitable that you will sin, but don’t let your failures be the cause that leads others to sin. Instead, live in such a way that values those around you by recognizing Jesus came to save those who are lost.