Scripture to Read: Revelation 2:14-15
We unpacked God’s truth about stumbling blocks in yesterday’s devotion. Therefore, we know our Lord hates for anyone to be a stumbling block to someone else and cause that person to sin. We continue examining our Lord’s rebuke of the believers in Pergamum. Jesus also rebuked the believers for holding to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which influenced the church towards immorality, sexual temptations, and eating things sacrificed to idols. We dealt with the sexual immorality yesterday, so we examine eating things sacrificed to idols today. Remember, the believers in Pergamum held fast the name of Jesus. Still, they also participated in temple banquets that served meats offered to idols which undermined their loyalty to Christ. God led Paul to deal with this in 1 Corinthians 8. Though meats sacrificed to idols could not defile anyone, if it caused a weaker believer to stumble then it was a sin. God had Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 8:13, Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. So, if an action of any kind, even if that action is not a sin, causes a weaker Christian to stumble then we must die to ourselves and not follow through on that action. As His children, God does not want us to live our lives selfishly but to live in such a way that we think of others before we think of ourselves. God states this truth clearly, about thinking of others first, in Philippians 2:3-4.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how to deal with doing things that are not sinful but still may cause others to stumble?
2. How are you making sure your actions and words are not causing weaker believers to stumble in their walk with Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!