Tripping Hazard

Are you a tripping hazard? You are probably saying "I don't know" because you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Well, let me explain. When it comes to our relationship with those around us, with those in our sphere of influence, many of us have a Cain mentality. That is, we say "Am I my brothers keeper?" And as always there is a long and a short answer.

So am I responsible for your actions? Short answer, not particularly, that is of course unless I had a hand in why you made them. You see there's the catch. I will not answer to God for how you lived your life, you have to give an account to God for yourself.

Rom 14:12 (KJV)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

1 Corinthians 3 talks about the Judgement Seat of Christ where our Christians lives will be judged and we will give an account to God for our actions. But here's the problem, my actions don't just affect me.

Cause and Effect:

I was talking to a young person one time and we were discussing dress. And the point was made that she could dress any way she wanted and whatever effect that had on others wasn't her problem, she was not responsible for that, they needed to control themselves. Well she was partly right, people do need to control themselves but the bible teaches that we are responsible for how our lives effect others and that my friend brings us to the long answer.

The first example that comes to my mind on this issue is parenthood. Do we really think that as parents how we live our lives has zero effect on our children and we will not be held accountable for that? When I go to work and people know that I am a Christian how does my speech and work ethic represent Christ? When I am at a family gathering does my conduct entice others to godliness or does it entice them to think that certain sins are no big deal?

Whether we like it or not the bible teaches that our lives do have an effect on others and we may very well be responsible for that effect.

1Co 8:9 (KJV)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

God tells us to live our lives in a manner that doesn't cause others to sin. God's word goes even further than that. It tells us not to offend others who are weaker in the faith. We can participate in things that aren't a sin issue but if that causes another to stumble then we are held responsible for that domino effect in our brothers/sisters life.

Rom 14:13 (KJV)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

The Domino Effect:

Let me try and explain this another way with a biblical analogy. In the book of Numbers chapter 2 the nation of Israel was given instructions on where to camp and in what rank they were to go to battle. So each tribe was given specific instructions on how to conduct themselves and they were responsible to carry out them out.

Now let's say that the tribe of Gad decided to camp in the spot where the tribe of Manesseh was supposed to camp and since they were supposed to go to war in rank and file 1,2,3,4 and so forth now they are out of order. So is the tribe of Gad sinning and disobeying God, absolutely they are. If they did this will they be responsible to God for their actions? You bet they will. But there's another problem, if Gad takes the place of Manesseh it now makes it impossible for Manesseh to serve God how they were instructed. I mean it is literally impossible for both tribes to be 3rd place in line.

So as we strive to grow and walk more closely with God let's make sure that we are bringing others along the way instead of getting in their way.