What Jesus Did! 'Don't Cause the 'Little Ones' to Sin' — Luke 17:1-2

Sunday, October 1, 2023

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin."
— Luke 17:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus wants us to be aware that temptation is real, dangerous, and personal. However, it is far worse for us to be the source of someone else's temptation and sin than to have to face just our own. Our sin matters in every way; it matters more, however, when we bring others down with us.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for strengthening me and helping me to withstand the onslaught of temptation. Father, I never want to be a stumbling block to someone else. Guide my steps, please dear Lord, so that I will not stumble or fall. Guide my influence, dear Father, so that it does only good and never harm. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

One of the Hardest 'Miracles'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, What's the hardest miracle to perform? I know many of you would love to see some great miracle of your selection to help you believe....."
Jerks and the Secret of Sturdy Faith
Article by Larry Davies
How in the world do we really overcome resentment? Resentment kills us, but forgiveness allows us to exercise a growing faith like a mustard tree and let God do the impossible within us.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17:1-2 NLT — It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, October 1, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Value of Godliness' (1 Ti. 4:6-10)
"Dear Father, Make us diligent athletes who exercise our spiritual bodies, recognizing that while physical exercise has some profit, godliness is of....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Life-giving Power Delivers Us from Sin'
"God’s children cannot keep on being sinful. His life-giving power lives in them and makes them his children so that they cannot keep on sinning. You....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 3:10-11
"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spiritual Mystery' (Jn. 3:8)
"[Jesus continued,] "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!