Lest I Cause Others to Fall

“Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.” (Ps 69:6 AV)

A very humble prayer on the part of David.  Paul echoes these sentiments in several of his letters.  Those who lead others, whether it is a king, missionary, parent, or mentor, should be concerned that their life does not become a discouragement to others.  The example they leave should be of grave concern.  It is a very sensitive leader who worries for those who are watching.

I am reminded of a scene in the Christmas Movie Classic, A Christmas Story.  The story is set in the 1950s Indiana.  Ralphie is the main character.  He is relating the story of the Christmas when he asked for, and received, a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock.  The story is all about an adolescent boy and his turmoil over the most desired gift of all.  Repeatedly, his dreams are dashed.  Other frustrations of that age were an underpinning theme.  There was the school bully, the strict teacher, and his friends who didn’t always have his back.  One storyline was that of his father.  His father was a pleasant enough fellow, but let a string of curses shout from his lips when dealing with a stubborn boiler.  His wife and two sons could hear the filthy language all the way in the kitchen.  On returning from succoring their Christmas tree, the family got a flat tire.  Dad jumped out and began to change it.  Ralphie joined his father.  While holding the hubcap, Ralphie scattered all the lug nuts.  He let out a single curse word.  Dad was shocked.  He told his wife, and she almost fainted.  While sitting in the bathroom with a bar of soap in his mouth, mom asked Ralphie where he had heard that word.  Dad had used it countless times.  Yet Ralphie blamed it on one of his friends.  Son had learned from Dad.

Let’s face it.  We do not want to see our children make the same mistakes we did.  We don’t want God’s people to fall from God because of something we did.  We don’t want a student to miss his or her potential because we somehow failed them.  There is a part of us that wants all to succeed despite our limited ability to help.  This heart is normal.  I have seen too much of the other side of the coin.  I have seen parents not care one iota how their example affects their children.  When their children fail, they are quick to blame all but themselves.  We see this in our secular government.  Pols do not care how their example might influence a nation.  Inappropriate behavior is passed off as normal and acceptable.  It is acceptable to parents, but not in children.  We wonder why our kids do not grow up to love the LORD, and we don’t have to go much further than the adults who led them.  David and Paul were keenly aware that their lives meant something to others.  They were concerned that choice they might make would cause the spiritual downfall of others.  This is a good thing for which to be concerned.