P053 Millstones
Millstones
[Dt 6:5-7; Eph 6:4; Mk 9:42; Mt 18:6-7]
One of the highest priorities for believers is to set a holy example for their children through life and teaching. In doing so, they demonstrate sincere love for them. Christian parents must likewise diligently do their best to keep their children from ungodly influences of the world (see Mk 9:42; Mt 18:6). To fail in this responsibility can cause eternal disaster.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV) – Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. [6] These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. [7] Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Ephesians 6:4 (YLT) – [4] And the fathers! provoke not your children, but nourish them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.
On Sunday night at bed time, a good father reads a Bible story to his five year old son. Then Dad tells the little one to get some sleep, because tomorrow he has to go to school.
Monday morning, the kindergarten teacher begins to explain to the class that they must think really hard about how they feel today. “Do you feel like a little boy, or do you feel like a little girl today?” From then on, the boy is confused. His first thought is, “What is the teacher talking about? When I grow up, I want to be like my dad.” But thoughts take hold, and the teacher tells little Johnny not to tell his parents….”
Mark 9:42 (NIV) – [42] “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
Jesus sternly warned “anyone” who would deliberately turn somebody away from believing in Him. The punishment would be so severe that it would be better for the offender to be drowned in the sea.
The verb “to stumble” is from the Greek word skandalizo (skan-da-liy’-zo) meaning to entrap, i.e. trip up. To snare or cause to stumble. To entice to sin, apostasy or even displeasure.
The large millstone was a heavy, flat stone turned by a donkey or an ox while grinding grain. Punishment by drowning someone this way was familiar to Jesus’ disciples (see Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews 14. 15. 10).
Causing someone to sin because of example attitude or neglect will bring such severe punishment that the offender will wish he had died before committing this sin.
Matthew 18:6 (NIV) – “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.
This verse means that whoever spiritually destroys a child or a child-like believer will receive the greatest wrath of Christ. Pastors, teachers, and especially parents should give special attention to these words of Jesus. It is the parents’ responsibility to instruct their children in the ways of God (see Dt 6:1-9; Lk 1:17, Eph 6:4; 1Tim 4:6) and to protect them from the influence of the world and Satan (Titus 1:10-11; 2:11-12; 1Jn 2:15-17). Christian parents must not allow their children to be influenced by ungodly friends. They must be especially careful about what they allow the world to put into their children’s hearts and minds through public education or entertainment (cf. Ps 101:3; Eph 6:4; Col 3:21).
Matthew 18:7 (NIV) – 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!
These traps and snares are going to come. But a terrible time is in store for the person who causes the little ones to stumble.
My Bold Declaration:
As a follower of Jesus, I speak in the authority that He has delegated to every believer. I boldly use the Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the devil. I come against the plan of the devil to destroy the children of my nation! I declare the end of the plotted offense of LGBTQ. This corrupt teaching has a name, and every name that is named must bow to the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
Devil get under my feet! Your strategy in this is a thing of the past! I call an end to it NOW, in the mighty Name of Jesus! I believe that what I say will come to pass!
Governments and boards of education, you had better repent and turn to God before it’s too late. Judgment is coming to those who corrupt the children. I speak to you teachers who are afraid of loosing your jobs because of tyrannical, illegitimate “authorities.” You know in your heart that this teaching is false. It is time for you to make a righteous decision. The Bible warns us that those who cause the little ones to be confused and to turn away from God, are in for a hard time. Jesus said that it will be worse than if a millstone was tied to your neck and you were cast into the sea.
God, I pray for the salvation of these people who have gone astray. Holy Spirit, give them eyes, so they can see. Lord, send harvesters to cross their paths with the gospel of Your love for them, and that You have provided salvation to all who call You Lord. I speak by faith in the Name of Jesus, amen.
God bless you my friend,
