3 Minute Read
Prepare Your Heart
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Read God’s Word
A Verse for Today
Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Matthew 18:6 (CSB): “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
I want you to reread the verse for today again … slowly.
No, I mean it! Go back and read it again.
Ok. Now that you probably still haven’t reread it (LOL), I hope you noticed the seriousness of what Jesus said.
First, we need to consider who Jesus is talking about. Who are “these little ones?” Well, all we need to do is look back at the previous few verses. Jesus had said that to get saved, we need to become like a little child. Just as children easily humble themselves in the presence of someone greater and trust them (if that trust is merited), so must we demonstrate humility and trust in Jesus to be saved. So, “these little ones” are saved people regardless of their age.
Second, what does it mean “to fall away?” Essentially, it means that believers who are enjoying the Lord and obeying Him fall away from Him into sin. Instead of moving toward holiness, they stumble back into disobedience. Jesus’ warning is aimed at the following people (I’m restating what He said): “Whoever causes another believer to fall away from holiness and into sin.”
Now, let’s finish the warning. What did Jesus say about such a person who would tempt others to sin?
He said: “It would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Whoa! Jesus is saying that if we cause someone else to fall away from Him into sin, it would have been better for us to die than do such a horrible thing!
Friend, Jesus takes it so seriously if we cause a fellow believer to fall away from holiness and into disobedience. This warning means we had better be serious about our own journey to greater degrees of holiness. Further, we had better be careful to help others along on their journey to holiness rather than pull them back.
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, when You save someone, You expect them to follow You. You certainly don’t want them dabbling in sin and causing others to do such things. Yes, there is grace, but You never want Your grace to be trampled upon by those who fail to value it. So, help me, Lord, to take my walk with You seriously. And help me be an encouragement to other fellow believers rather than a stumbling block. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Going Deeper
If you want to go deeper, check out this article by Got Questions: “Who are the “little ones” in Matthew 18:6?”
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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com).
Matt’s Musings 