God’s Mission
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow...
Slow Fade, Casting Crowns (The Altar and the Door, 2007)
Borrowing from the children’s song O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See, these lyrics from the Song Slow Fade portray the damage that occurs not just to the one sinning, but to the ones watching also – particularly little ones.
Read Matthew 18:1-9, paying particular attention to Jesus' words in verse 6:
Matthew 18:1-9
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
In Matthew 18:1-9, you’ll see a 2nd time Jesus sharing stark “gouging out” language about handling our sinfulness. Don’t close your eyes to this detail. It comes on the heels of Jesus addressing (or dressing down) the disciples arguing over who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Having pulled a child into their midst, He tells them that whoever humbles himself like that little child is the greatest in the kingdom.
Jesus called for (1) change, (2) humility, and (3) aggressive assault on our own sin.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead the way for you in each of these areas.
Prayer Prompt
[Create your own prayer about stumbling and what your eyes have seen.]
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:161-168 (Shin, 21st letter)
- Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
- I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
- I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
- Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
- Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
- I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
- I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
- I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…
Philippians 4:7
…and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
"Great spoil" (Psalm 119:162 above) is the reward of a well fought victory: "To the victor goes the spoils". Continuing in God’s Word brings such victories and the ensuing spoils.
Journal Prompt: What are the "Great spoils'"
in your life by being in God's Word?
What are the "Great spoils" you would like
to have in your life due to being in God's Word?
