because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

Peace,

  I was given Ezekiel 7 this morning and was led to do a study. One of my daughters is seeking the LORD and reading the bible daily and asking questions. She asked me a question and my response to her was this. What may be a sin for me may not be one for you. God will convict our hearts and we must be obedient to the work HE is doing in us. She knew what I meant but as always I like to follow up what I feel in my heart with the living word. Amen?!

So, let's see where this answer is in the word that I gave her. A good test to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use whatever we are questioning in our lives at that moment  for His own good and purposes. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”

Another words if there is room for doubt as to whether something you are wanting to do or doing that is not going to please God then it is best to refrain from doing it. 

Let's look at 1 Corinthians 10:13¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God is going to help us in many ways not to fall into temptation or sin. We must recognize HIS faithfulness. HE will speak to our heart and our mind and we must not ignore HIM when HE is speaking. It is for your good that HE is warning you.

Let's look at other verses. Everything that does not come from faith is sin. All that we are belongs to God. We were bought with a price. Our bodies are NOT our own. Amen?! Romans 14:21-23²¹ It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

²² Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.²³ And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Let's look at the word stumble in verse 21 this ties in with a verse given to me today in Ezekiel 7:19 ¹⁹ They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

" Because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

Friends, a stumblingblock causes people to sin. Let me give you a few examples. If you know an alcoholic and his/her weakenss is drinking too much it would be a stumblingblock to bring him/her into a bar where there is nothing but alcohol. This may tempt him/her and he/she may not be able to say no which will lead to his/her drinking and sinning. Let's look at some other ideas of stumblingblock that can lead to sin.

The internet is full of knowledge. We can look up interesting facts, we can learn how to repair things or how to make things. We can read the bible we can create blogs and videos to help others. There is also a downside to the internet. There is evil that exists on it. There is violence and pornography and many other temptations like gambling and so on. The internet therefore could become a stumblingblock for many and they will commit sin. 

Idolatry is another. I can walk past a statue made of wood and stone and not pray to it or bow down to it. There are others in church buildings that are prompted to bow down to these such idols and worship them. This is false traditions of man that cause stumbling blocks which can lead to sin. Another is "holidays" such pagan celebrations can lead to a stumblingblock if one stays in the world and associates with those who do. 

Money is another. I have a tendency to give. There are others who have a tendency to take. There are those that let the spirit of greed come in and will do anything to justify that they should have what they want and not pay/help where they don't think they should. The bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I personally know of individuals who are waiting anxiously and have built their lives around money that is expected to come to them. This money may never come to them but they are building their future around it. This will be a downfall and they will pierce themselves with much sorrow. 

Who are your friends? When I was younger my mother always said to me, " you are known by the company you keep." These words were/are so true. If I was seen with gossiping friends and engaged in their sin I had become like them. This is true for anything our friends do. If they create a stumblingblock for us then we are to be ye separate. Amen?!

There are many ways a stumblingblock can cause us to sin. We must avoid these at all cost. Listen to your heart and if something does not feel right it is probably because it isn't. Father will not let us travel down the bumpy road without warning us to take a detour or switch roads. Amen?! 

In HIM with love,

Cassie