Matthew 18:6–9 is a passage where Jesus warns about causing others to stumble.
Discipleship isn’t casual. It’s serious business—because souls are at stake. Remember, Jesus warns against causing others to stumble, emphasizing the gravity of our influence.
In Matthew 18:6–9, Jesus delivers one of His strongest warnings about the danger of causing others to stumble, especially the vulnerable.
Matthew 18:6–9 (NASB 2020)
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; nevertheless, woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or limping, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- His disciples, continuing His teaching on humility and responsibility. His message included a warning about making others stumble.
- All future believers, warning them about spiritual carelessness
What Happened?
- Jesus shifted from humility to the consequences of causing harm to others’ faith
- He used vivid imagery to emphasize the severity of sin and its impact
- He taught that we must deal radically with sin to protect others and ourselves. A serious warning about causing others to stumble was given.
The Mood: Urgent, Sobering, Protective
- Jesus moved from gentle instruction to severe warning
- His tone revealed the eternal consequences of careless actions, especially when causing others to stumble.
The Principle: Be Radical About Holiness and Others’ Faith
- Causing others to stumble—especially children—is a grave offense
- We must examine our lives for stumbling blocks
- Jesus calls us to take sin seriously, not casually
- Holiness protects others from harm, ensuring we don’t cause them to stumble.
Audience Response (Then)
- The disciples likely felt convicted and sobered.
- Jesus’ vivid metaphors would have stuck with them, especially His warnings about causing others to stumble.
- No recorded rebuttal—His words landed with gravity
What This Means for Us in 2025
In a culture of moral compromise and spiritual apathy, Jesus’ words are a wake-up call:
- What you say and do influences others’ faith
- How you live can either build up or tear down. This is crucial when considering Jesus’ warning about causing others to stumble.
- Accountability is not legalism—it’s love.
We must be guardians of faith, not stumbling blocks.
Action Steps for Today
- Audit your influence. Are you helping or hindering others in faith? Reflect on Jesus’ warning about causing others to stumble.
- Remove personal stumbling blocks. Take radical steps if needed.
- Teach children with care and integrity. Jesus values their faith.
- Confess and repent quickly. Keep your heart clean before God.
- Model holiness publicly and privately. People are watching.
Final Prayer
Jesus, help me to take my influence seriously. Guard my actions, words, and habits so that they never cause others to stumble. Show me what needs to be removed from my life. Keep me humble and holy as I walk with You. Amen.
In the kingdom, protecting others’ faith is proof of your own.
