"If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into the eternal fire." Matthew 18:8-9

Stumbling blocks can come in varying forms. Anything that causes you to become more worldly will eventually cause you to stumble. What does it mean to stumble? It means to fall away from Christ.

Jesus said that only those who abide in Him will inherit eternal life. He is the vine and we are the branches which must bear righteous fruit which is living by His Commandments and instructions. Jesus said that every branch which does not bear this fruit would be cut off and thrown into the fire.

The Bible says that bad company corrupts good morals -a person can be a stumbling block to you. The Apostles commanded the early Church to keep their eyes on those who did not follow their teachings and instructions, and to even disassociate with those who were always finding fault with the Church.

 Lucifer was once a magnificent Archangel in the Throne Room of God, but when he rebelled against his Creator he eventually caused one third of the angels to stumble and fall from God’s grace.

Self-centeredness is always a danger. Pride, vanity and self-importance has caused many to stumble. Rebellion against authority is an enemy of your soul which produces the fruits of independent mindedness, insurrection and strife. Lust is also a deadly enemy which must be battled. The lustful are fleshly minded and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

 Unforgiveness is a demonic stronghold which causes one to be guarded, vengeful, blinded and enslaved. False doctrine poisons the soul and is designed to isolate its victim. Clearly identify those whom God has placed in your life to teach and mentor you and never listen to those whom God has not assigned for this purpose.

Hopelessness is also a deadly stumbling block which must be avoided. It produces the feelings of shame, guilt, unworthiness and condemnation. It is designed to make you feel like giving up. Satan knows well that hope is the anchor of your soul. This is why he has designed tactics to tempt you to lose hope. We lose hope when we turn our eyes from Jesus and focus on self.