Have you looked around lately and said, “why is this world so messed up?” I definitely have. Violence, conceit, evil – it’s all around.

We just got back recently from Sight and Sound theater, where we saw the epic portrayal of the story of Noah and the ark. A similar time of people intentionally harming others.

It’s cruel to think about someone doing something mean or hurtful to someone who cannot prevent it happening.

But we aren’t like the people of the world, right?

We aren’t like the people of Noah’s time… right?

You wouldn’t put a stone in front of a blind person to trip on.
You wouldn’t give a recovering alcoholic a beer.
You wouldn’t give a kid candy after their parent told them no more sugar.

But… could we still be harming others unintentionally?

You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:14

The deaf cannot hear, and so we must not cause offense through sound since they are unable to stop it. The blind cannot see, and so we shouldn’t cause physical hardship because they cannot see it coming. But this concept of course, is not just reserved for people with disabilities or physical hardships. The principle is that everyone is susceptible to stumbling blocks.

In multiple places in the new/renewed testament, there are two Greek words that are translated into ‘stumbling block’, ‘offense’, etc:

• The first is “proskomma” – which means an obstacle
• The second is “skandalon” – which is defined as a trap or snare

In Leviticus 19, we see that a stumbling block can be something that causes physical or emotional harm.  But let’s expand on the definition by drawing from the context of some other scriptures in which it is used.

“At that time the disciples came to Yeshua, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Yeshua called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” – Matthew 18:1-7

Sin is what keeps us apart from God, and so if an offense, or stumbling block, causes someone to sin, it inhibits their relationship with Yah.

“But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”” – Matthew 16:23

Here the word offense is the same Greek word “skandalon” which could also be translated stumbling block. Certainly, we know that Peter is not causing Yeshua to sin or even causing Him any physical harm. Therefore, we can glean another meaning for this phrase: a “stumbling block” can also be something that tries to distract from, or deter one from, a purpose.

From these verses we can gather the deeper meaning for the term “stumbling block”. A stumbling block is an obstacle or snare that can cause physical harm, emotional harm, distracts/deters from a purpose, or inhibits a relationship with Yahweh.

Are you or I guilty of placing this type of stumbling block in front of someone else?

Are you harming someone emotionally?

Are you distracting someone from a purpose?

Are you inhibiting their relationship with Yah?

Because if so, we are in danger of being counted among those who died in the flood! It’s time to take action to remove the stumbling block… OURSELVES!

How can we do that?

First, to avoid being a stumbling block, we must truly know the people around us.

We need to know their struggles, temptations, convictions, and goals. This kind of awareness only comes through real relationships built on trust and open communication.

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16

When we take time to understand someone’s battles, we can avoid actions that might discourage or tempt them, even unintentionally. Simple sensitivity, like avoiding alcohol around a recovering alcoholic, comes only from knowing their story.

When we take time to understand how Yah is working in their life, such as maybe leading them to sell all they have and move away in pursuit of Him, we may be less likely to try to deter them based on human reasoning and instead encourage their calling (if you know, you know – Acts 5:39).

Surface-level interactions aren’t enough. We must care enough to understand each other deeply.

Then once we truly know each other, we should strive to develop a “second place” mindset.

Philippians 2 calls us to put others before ourselves. Being “second” means choosing someone else’s spiritual good over our own comfort, preferences, or human reasoning. Even morally neutral things (think: music, preferences, etc) should be set aside if they trouble another believer’s conscience. Like Paul’s guidance about meat offered to idols in 1Corinthians 8, love sometimes means giving up freedoms for another person’s sake.

When it comes to convictions, try “here’s some concerns I have and things you should think about, but ultimately I support you if you feel Yah is leading you to this and it’s aligned with scripture”, versus “I know better than you and if you don’t listen to my advice then you are obviously a fool”.

Even with intimate knowledge of others and ourselves, we shouldn’t wait until someone stumbles to consider their needs.

Yah’s word urges us to pursue good for others:

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Just as we check for food allergies before serving a meal, we should think ahead in all matters and ask whether our actions, words, or habits might create unnecessary obstacles for someone’s walk with God.

A humble person will rarely ever become a stumbling block to someone they know intimately.

Are you that person? Humble and serving, putting others before yourself?

Do you take the time to reflect on your own actions, behaviors, and personality?

Do you invest time and energy into your relationships with others?

That is a person who refrains from physically or emotionally harming another.

That is a person who does not distract others from their God-given purpose.

That is a person who does not tempt someone away from following Yah.

Let’s examine our lives and determine who we are being stumbling blocks to… and then remove those blocks!