By Doug Apple Manager, Wave94

Some things cause people to sin.

Some of these things come through other people.  Jesus said, “Woe to that person through whom they come.”  Follow the path backwards.  When people sin, something caused it.  Did that cause come through another person?  If so, Jesus says, “Woe to that person.”

“Woe?  What does that mean?”

Jesus explains in John 17:2 – “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

To be drowned is ghastly.  Yet Jesus says that is preferred compared to what will happen to the person who causes someone else to sin.”

So what causes someone to sin?  This is a no-brainer.  Temptation.  Temptation causes someone to sin.  Now we can blame the devil for temptation, or we can blame our own evil desires for temptation, but often temptation comes through a person.  Jesus says, “Woe to that person.”

Here is a difficult question to ask yourself.  “Is there anything I do that tempts someone to sin?”  Almost everyone will probably say, “No.”  So instead of asking yourself, ask the Lord.  Pray, “God, is there anything I do that tempts someone to sin?”

Let me tell you, He will let you know.  Then no matter what it is, change it.

If there is something about your job that can cause some to be tempted, get a different job.  For example, what if you work for an advertising agency, and you help make ads promoting alcohol.  Think how many people are tempted by alcohol.  Some of them will be tempted by your ads.  In that case, the temptation is coming through you.  I would not want to be in that position.

“Well, it’s their own fault if they have a problem with alcohol.”

Yes, but in this message, Jesus is not talking about that person.  He is talking about the middleman, the person through whom the temptation comes.

Here’s one for you.  The girl who dresses to grab all the boys’ eyes.  Sure, the boys need self control, but Jesus said woe to that person who tempts the boys.  Think of this.  Role models can cause their followers to sin, because their followers, their fans, will imitate what they do.  I don’t care if the role model wants to be a role model or not, they are, and they are accountable for that.

I think of all the “stars” in our society.  You can read all about them while standing in line at the grocery store.  This week we’re deluged with bald pictures of Britney Spears.  She’s reportedly having some sort of breakdown.

Now I’m going to make what sounds like an outlandish statement.  But it’s true, from a Biblical perspective.  Britney Spears has caused thousands to sin.  Through her music and concerts and videos and lifestyle, she has been a role model.  She has set a bad example for the girls and tempted the boys.

Now some of you might snicker at that.  “Tempted the boys?  Come on, Doug, don’t be such a prude.”

I asked a teenage boy the other day how he did on a test at school.  He said he didn’t do very well because he was so distracted.  Distracted by what?  Turns out the girl in front of him was showing so much of her backside that he was utterly distracted.  Another boy said that whenever he sees that he props a book up in front of him so he won’t look at her.

Sure the boys must have control.  But woe to the girls who cause the temptation.  And woe to the role models like Britney Spears who have set the pace for these younger girls.

Why are so many of these stars plagued with problems?  Could it be that Jesus’ “woe” is coming upon them?

Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change ourselves.  It will be hard to do, because it’s hard to spot this kind of thing in our own lives.  That’s why it is so important to take it to the Lord.  That same Jesus who spoke in the Bible is still alive and speaking today.  He wants to help us avoid this woe.  So take the time to ask Him today.  Just pray, “Jesus, please show me any area in my life which is causing other people to sin.”  Then whatever He brings to mind, be prepared to do something about it.

Comments?

E-mail me…dougapple@wave94.com.

May God bless you today!  With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.

*  Luke 17:1

I am not bashing Britney Spears.  I know little about her, and I feel for anyone going through the things she is going through.  I mention her because she is so popular and her troubles are so current and so public.  I think she is an example of someone through whom sin has come to others, and the train wreck that follows.  Please pray for Britney Spears.

Here is a website designed to help you pray for people like Britney:  http://www.mastermediaintl.org/guest/index.html

This article originally published on February 28, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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