Protection For New and Weak Converts

Protection For New and Weak Converts - part 1

Dr. Cecelia GreeneBarr 

Luke 17:1-2

This lesson is directed towards those who have found themselves being tempted to sin by other believers. Feel inspired to share with a friend, new convert or anyone else under pressure to temptation so that they will know that God is looking out on their behalf. Enjoy the lesson and more will be shared soon. 

King James reads, "It is impossible but that offenses will come” but when you read that scripture in the Amplified Bible it says temptation instead of offenses. What the Message Bible is trying to get across is that it is impossible to live in this life without some kind of temptations coming into your life. All people will be subjected to temptations, and specifically temptation to sin. In verse 2, Luke records Jesus as saying, “It were better for him that a millstone were hung around about his neck and he cast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones”. Here again we see another insight to the message when looking at the Amplified Bible. Instead of the word offend, the word is "cause to sin", so the lesson that is being communicated here is that in life, temptation will be presented to every one in some way, shape, or form. However, the warning here in verse 2 is that believers should not cause offense. Believers should not cause someone to sin.  In a culture where individuals are now so easily offended, someone might mistakenly think that their tendency to become offended over any little matter, is the believers responsibility. Not so! There is a difference between having your feelings hurt and being caused to sin. Here is the warning for those who cause people, especially new converts or weak in their faith to sin. He is saying, you, the tempter, the stumbling block, will have to pay the cost and not from the people but from God. Unfortunately, when some people accept the truth of Jesus' gift of salvation, they are immediately exposed to spiritual sabotage.  They are exposed to temptation. If you have caused someone who is new in the faith to sin, if you caused or tempt someone who is weak in their faith to sin. God issues a warning.