“If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.
Verse chosen from today’s Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 14-15, Psalm 132, and Matthew 18.
This is a serious warning.
I am on notice that I must not be a bad influence for other believers.
I would look at this the opposite way: How can I be a Godly influence for other believers?
I must be walking as close as possible with God. If I am connected to Him, I will rightly represent Him in my midst.
I do plenty of writing. I must remember that my written words can have an influence on a reader. They may be written in a place where no one is near me but they have the potential to be read by unknown others in other places. I must align myself to Him before I write.
I must remember that my actions and inactions speak volumes within my family. They see what I do and what I don’t do.
How often does the central theme return: If I live close to God, I will live in a Godly fashion. Apart from Him I can do plenty………..wrong!
“Lord, thank You for the reminder of my responsibilities regarding others. I must be a Godly influence. What I say. What I do. Where I go. What I write. In these and in many more, are areas where I must reflect You. Prick my conscience when I am being a bad influence. Sometimes it’s in commission and sometimes it’s in omission. Help me to get it right, I beg. I love You, Lord.”
This is not a minor thing. We must be Godly influences.
St. Lucia
