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NASB | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [by leading him away from My teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2] |
Bible Question (short): causing to stumble |
Question (full): When Jesus says "whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble..." Is he only talking about false teachings to children? In verse 18:3 he tells us to become like children, in order to inherit the kingdom of God. And then Matthew 18:7-11 do not appear to me to be limited to children. So then, I have always concluded that verse 18:6 applies to anyone who causes any believer to stumble. Is this a common conclusion? Here is why I am asking - I became a christian at the age of 21. I was part of a super small assembly where all of the believers were much more spiritually mature than myself. My previous life included sins that left me open for spiritual attack. The christians I fellowshipped with at first were so much more mature than me that I didn't spend time worrying about causing them to stumble. But now I am meeting so many Christians who are at different levels of maturity that I am getting worried about my affect on their walk. I've always behaved differently around "my christian 'friends'", and other christians. Trying to figure out when its appropriate to relax, and "let down my hair" is becoming a trial. I watch a group of people laughing and having fun, and I want to join, but I'm so afraid of getting into a situation where my exuberance leads me to say or do something that is not appropriate - and instead of being with my friends who can gently admonish me, I will be in front of someone who will be horrified and offended, OR (worse) someone who doesn't realize that my example is not always the best to follow. I once had a man tell me that many christians did not want to adopt children in the state wellfare system because of the spiritual warfare the children's previous lives could bring upon the adopted parents. I was quite offended, but also worried. I remember thinking that if there were christians who would be afraid of those kids, then those christians would be afraid of me too, and would not want me to associate with them or their loved ones, therefore I needed to make sure that someone was incredibly mature and able to cope with me before I could really relax around them. Will someone please give me some practical advice in how to handle my deportment (regarding this matter), and show me other areas of Scripture that will help me? Thank you, Steph |