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James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
We all stumble in many ways.
Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
Sometimes we don’t even know what makes us stumble. Lets look at a few ways we stumble and how we can overcome.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
First of all we must understand that God will never put us in a situation beyond what we can endure. God will also provide a way out.
1 Peter 2:7-8
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.
We stumble when we disobey God’s word. What are some areas you have not really followed the Bible? How does that make you feel? What can you do practically to change this?
Ezekial 7:19
They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin.
Wealth and the love of money could cause us to stumble and fall into many kinds of sins. What do you think, do you love money a lot? What are some sins people struggle with because of money? Is it wrong to make money? – No. Then what is wrong?
1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
What does this passage teach? Lets make a decision to never chase after making more money than is needed, rather to be content with whatever God has given us?
Hosea 14:9
Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
When we are not righteous we stumble. What does it mean to be righteous? The word ‘righteous’ comes from the Hebrew language. In the Bible to be righteous meant, “to be right in every relationship”. Every relationship demands you to behave in a certain way. What are some relationships you have in your life? – You and your father/mother, or wife/husband, or teacher, or room mate, or classmate, or discipler, or boss, or friend etc. … The most important relationship is our relationship with God. Even though you are the same person you have to do different things in different relationships.
- With your discipler you have to be open and obedient.
- With your teacher you have to be committed to your studies.
- With your spouse you have to be loving and helpful.
- With your boss you have to be humble and follow his instructions.
- With God you have to be devoted and prayerful all the time.
When we fall into immorality we are violating our relationship with that person. When you lust you are being unrighteous, because that is the wrong thing to do in that relationship.
Smoking, lying, stealing … every sin violates a relationship. This makes God unhappy. How are you doing? Have you been righteous? Do you have anything to confess at this time?
1 John 2:9-11
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
What is the meaning of hate? – Intense dislike. Who do you dislike the most? Hurt feelings and bad attitudes cause us to stumble. Is there anyone in the church you feel hurt towards? Have you forgiven them? What is the right thing to do when we feel hurt? – Open up.
Talk about the feeling to that person. And decide to forgive no matter what, because God forgave you. If you don’t resolve your feelings then it will grow inside you and make you bitter and negative. That is when we start walking around in darkness. We loose the focus of our Christian life.
In conclusion: All of us stumble from time to time. But what is more important? – Getting up after you stumble. Do you repent quickly? Are you quick to confess and get right with God? Are you quick to open up and resolve feelings and hurts? Are you urgent in making radical decisions to change your life?
Proverbs 24:16
for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.
A righteous man may fall many times but will rise again.
Famous Quote: “Whenever you fall, pick something up”. - Oswald Avery
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