Romans 14:12-13 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. So don’t criticize each other anymore. Try instead to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something he thinks is wrong.” (TLB)
One of the biggest mistakes I can make is forgetting how much my actions influence those around me. Every day I’m tempted to make decisions that may seem best for me but could have a devastating effect on the people around me. To make wise decisions, I need to ask, “Will my choice harm others?”
This is the opposite of our culture. Our society teaches us to think only of ourselves. But God wants me to think about others, not just myself. In fact, the Bible says that one day I’m going to be judged by God on how my decisions affected others.
Romans 14:12-13 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. So don’t criticize each other anymore. Try instead to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something he thinks is wrong” (TLB).
I may not like hearing this, but I'm being watched—all the time. As a parent / grandparent, I should be especially aware that little eyes are always observing. I’ve got to be careful about what I say and do because I’m influencing not just my life but the next generation as well.
Show respect for those who serve and protect our community. If a police officer pulls you over for a ticket, even if you think they’re wrong, treat them with respect.
Don’t call in sick when you’re actually taking your family to the beach for the day.
Don’t bring supplies home that you stole from the office to use for personal benefit.
Don’t cheat on taxes—and then brag about it in front of your kids.
Don’t watch the awful stuff that’s on TV and in the movies with your kids. Think about whether I should be watching it at all.
Mature people limit their freedom for the benefit of others. Not because they’re afraid of what other people think, but because they’re motivated by love. In situations where there is no clear right or wrong, ask, “How will my decision affect others?”
So, I need to be cautious and not base my moral judgments on my opinion, personal dislikes, or cultural bias rather than on the Word of God. I can cause my brothers or sisters to stumble. Paul wants to remind me to be both strong in faith and sensitive to others' needs. I need to constantly monitor the effects of my behavior on others.
I need to constantly monitor the effects of my behavior on others. Everything I do influences someone else.
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