1. And He (Jesus) said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that
stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come!
2. "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around
his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little
ones to stumble.
Many of our bible studies talk about how pornography is harmful to
the one involved in it – Christian and non-Christian alike. Periodically we talk
about the criminal aspect of pornography – that innocent people (including children)
are actually forced to perform sexual acts in front of a camera because of the greed of
very evil people – and that for this reason alone it is immoral for Christians to be
involved in it.
Today the lesson is for those who are professed Christians. Only
they can be called "Stumbling Blocks" because they profess allegiance to Jesus
Christ and what He stands for. Think of a stumbling block as any lie people profess in
order to protect themselves. People stumble over a Christian’s deceptions which
result in them loosing trust or interest in Jesus Christ and the life He has come to give
them.
How did it happen? You never meant to find yourself with a
double-life, right? Maybe you were a child and someone left some magazines around. They
didn’t mean for you to see them, but you stumbled on them…
Maybe you went to see a movie and suddenly, unexpectedly the actors
began to remove their clothes and engage in sexual acts. Sexual feelings began for the
first time and this was the start of a search for other sexual images. Part of your
confusion at the time was that when you looked at others older than you – who you may
have thought were strong Christians – and who seemed to endorse the movies and
magazines. Perhaps this led you to conclude that accepting explicit sexual images was a
normal part of growing up and that your initial guilty feelings were just a sign of
immaturity.
Have you, that innocent victim, now become that stumbling block for
others? What will happen (if it hasn’t happened already) when those who have looked
up to you or respected you or trusted you, discover this other life you are living? If you
are confronted, will you justify yourself and tell them that they should not worry about
pornography? Will you tell them that it’s good for them or that you are mature enough
to handle it – even when it has really been the source of an incredible amount of
shame for you?
One final point. Many people are turned off by the idea that Jesus
would want to tie millstones around people’s necks. After all, don’t we all sin
and fall short of God’s glory? Look at the passage very carefully and note that He
did not say He would tie millstones around their necks. He said that it would be better
for them if that happened. To me the worst pain I have experienced is the shame of seeing
how my sins have hurt others I have loved and who have loved and trusted me. Jesus wants
our best and to protect us from having to experience a pain so awful we would desire a
millstone instead. There is a better life than the one of a porn-consumed Christian. Admit
your problem to Jesus and ask Him to direct your steps to Christians who can help you.