In Luke 17:1, Jesus gives a good warning for all of us to heed as we head into the weekend.
“Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”
Temptations are sure to come this weekend. To borrow from the letter of James:
Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)
Be on guard against the lures that can deceitfully entice you away from the light. Temptations to sin are sure to come.
But don’t miss the second part of Jesus’ warning: “Woe to the one through whom they come!” Don’t just consider your own spiritual well-being; give humble, selfless thought to the well-being of others. Don’t be a stumbling block to anyone else–in the way you act, react, interact, talk, or dress.
The attitudes and actions of a son or a daughter of encouragement (Acts 4:36) are stepping stones toward God. The attitudes and actions of a channel of temptation are a slippery slope away from God. Be a son or daughter of encouragement!
“Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”
That’s a warning worth taking seriously this weekend.