Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur

Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. 

Have you ever noticed how closely many children watch adults?   They are always absorbing and learning from what they see—the bad and the good.   It’s reminiscent of the phrase  “Children learn what they live.”   They learn to do what they see their parents doing and not necessarily what their parents tell them to do.

It’s not just children either.   We all know how hard it is to avoid joining in gossip when we hear it, or how tempting it can be to chime in with hurtful comments on social media.

This is why Jesus warns us about leading other people to sin through our example.   People watch us.   Our witness matters.  Just one negative example from us may be all someone needs to justify his or her own sin.   But if a bad example has a powerful effect, imagine how much more powerful a good example can be!

The important issue, then, is not just that we avoid behaviors that could cause people to sin.   It is also that we become good examples who help inspire people to holiness.   Isn’t this what Jesus did?   His prayer life was so attractive that his disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).   When he drove the money changers out of the Temple, the people were “hanging on his words” (19:48).   And when he refused to condemn a woman caught in adultery, her accusers walked away “one by one,” humbled by their own sins (John 8:9).

St. Paul once wrote,  “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).   That’s your goal as well.   When you imitate Jesus, your example will whet people’s appetite for God.   They will see a reflection of Christ in your actions and your demeanor, and it will move them to seek the Lord for themselves.   When you set aside time to pray in the morning, your faithfulness will inspire other family members.   When you let a negative comment slide off your back, your peace will make your coworker take notice.   When you reach out to someone who is hurting, your compassion will melt that person’s heart.

How can you imitate Jesus today?   Simply by living in love.

Word Among Us