446 - Selfish Idol

Lord Jesus - thank you for Your love. Thank you for your completely unselfishness towards me and abandoning all even if it had just been for me. Lord, I am thinking about all the times that my idol worship, whatever it may be, has caused so many to fall into sin. Other than leading us farther from You, worshipping an idol can and probably will hurt another causing them to fall into sin.

I once heard a singer say that it was no fun to sin alone, she always wanted to take others with her. I believe as a Christian we are responsible for all our actions - one that we purposely do and ones that we are not sure anyone is aware of. Because we can not see the final masterpiece tapestry He is weaving, we don't know the influence we have on people and the effects our actions and reactions have on them. This morning I am in I Cor. 8: 9 - 13. This whole chapter is about not eating food from an idol unless you have "knowledge". "But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat it, and no better if we do." (8). Then it goes on to say that if a weaker person sees you eating food of an idol and it causes them to stumble then you can't do it, ever. There have been times when I was on a diet with someone at work or where ever and was having a weak moment. In that weak moment I would go to my fellow dieter and beg them to be weak with me. Many times, or most, I could talk this person into being weak with me. I would talk them out of their "sacrifices" into a moment of indulgence! That is wrong!!!!!!!!!! I am causing them to stumble even if for a moment or one meal.

I think we could all agree this too has happen to us or we have done it to someone when you go shopping with a friend. Let me use me as the bad guy - I am shopping with a friend and I am doing nothing to slow down my idol worship of self-indulgence in clothes, etc. I know the person with me is on a tight budget or that it what it sounds like and yet when they hold up the outfit I encourage them to go for it. Yes, I want them to have a great new outfit, but deep, deep, deep down I am just wanting to have someone with me in on the sinning, in on the idol worship I am totally caving to at the moment! That too is wrong!!! How do I know it is wrong - when I get home I am quick to tell my husband how much so and so spent as if to make myself look better. Ever been there? Even though shopping is not bad - thank you Lord - I have drug someone into a mess. Yes, they are responsible for their actions and should know their limits, but according to this Word, I am more responsible for dragging them in and making myself feel better, especially those that are weaker!! Wow!!!

I looked up weaker conscience - the faculty of the mind that bears witness to one's own moral conduct. It distinguishes between right and wrong and prompts to choose the former and avoid the latter. (I really like that last part.) But here is the thing, this scripture is talking about one that has a weaker conscience - so that would be one that may be a believer, but new to the concept of dieing to self. May not have developed the ability to hear the Spirit say - you better hold off her, Lady! We, I, am responsible to what i do around her and how my life affects her. Wow, double wow! This reminds me of the scripture - "My life is not my own". Oh yes, we have freedom and I am so thankful for that, but the beginning scripture is the plumb line - "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Seriously, my life is not my own!!!

Lord Jesus - thank you for this Word. Thank you for this breath of Life you have given me today. Thank you for revealing my sin to me and thank you for your constant forgiveness. Help me to bring all my sin to you, and specifically. Lord, I do not want to lead anyone into sin. I do not want to lead anyone into idol worship, or away from you!! I want to be that lift for others that bring them back to your throne. I want to be the one that causes others to shout out Your fame and glory. I want to be that one that makes others want to worship You more. I want to be that one that cries out Holy and others cry as well. Oh Lord, help me to not be that stumbling block. Help me to live this out and actually follow through with these words. Help me to know your will and die to mine! Thank you, Lord, thank you!