4 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

Numbers 15
Mark 9:30-50

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.

Mark 9:42 (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 thrown into the sea.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

In Mark 9:36, we are told that Jesus “took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms, ” He began to speak to those around Him. As we listen to what Jesus said, we realize that He was using the child as an illustration of a believer, someone who was exercising child-like faith in Him.

Then, after He said a few other things, He spoke the words I chose for today’s verse. He gave a stern warning.

Mark 9:42 (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 thrown into the sea.”

When Jesus said, “one of these little ones,” He was probably pointing to the child who was still near Him. And He was almost certainly still using that child as a representative of a believer, someone who had child-like faith and was obeying and following Him.

The warning was given to someone who caused “one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away.” Jesus was giving a shot over the bow. He warned anyone who would cause another believer to stumble into sin, who might even walk away (at least temporarily) from following Jesus.

We’re not talking about a Christian who, in love, humbly confronts a fellow believer in sin, and then the unrepentant believer leaves the church. Instead, Jesus is referring to a believer who is far from the Lord and leads another believer into sin as well.

I wish I could say this is rare, but it’s not. Far too many “Christians” are content to have a little bit of Jesus—but only as much as doesn’t get in the way of their personal vices. They tolerate some sort of sin(s) in their lives and then encourage (actively or passively) someone else to do the same. “After all, no one is perfect, right?”

Jesus said that if we are the reason another believer stumbles into disobedience, it would be better for us to have a massive millstone tied around our neck and to be thrown into the sea to drown.

That’s how serious Jesus is about our influence upon other believers toward the good and holy rather than toward disobedience and sin.

So, take your walk with Jesus seriously. It is ludicrous to celebrate that you aren’t involved in any “big” sins if you tolerate “small” sins in your life. Despise all sin! Chase after Jesus with all your mind and heart. Then, let your words and behavior encourage others to join you in following Jesus.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to bring to your mind any instance where you may have caused a believer to sin?
  • Ask for God’s forgiveness.
  • Ask God for the grace to apologize to the one you encouraged to sin.
  • Ask God to help you study His Word, obey it, and follow Him much more seriously so you can encourage others in what is good and holy.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into Jesus’ words in Mark 9:42, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“Who are the ‘little ones’ in Matthew 18:6?”

“What is a millstone in the Bible?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)