Thinking Through How Will My Decision Affect Others

In review of Romans 14:12-13 it says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong.”

Bottom Line:

We will all give an account for what we do, so try to live in a way that won’t make others stumble.

What this means to me:

I will ultimately given an account to God for what I do. Therefore I should live in a way that I won’t cause another to stumble, fall or otherwise make them question their faith.

I should never lose sight of how much my actions can influence those around me. I can be tempted frequently to make decisions that may be the best for me, but have a devastating effect on those around me. So in order to make wiser decisions, I need to ask, “Will my choice harm others?”

This kind of thinking is opposite that of culture. This culture teaches us to think only of ourselves. But this verse reminds me that God expects me to think more of others than you do yourself (Philippians 2:3-4). Scripture tells me that one day I’ll be judged by God on how my decisions affected others.

Romans 14:12-13 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong” (TLB).

I need to remember that I’m being watched. I need to be careful about what I say and do because I’m influencing not just my life but the next generation as well.

A mature person will limit their freedom for the benefit of others. I should do it out of love. So, in situations where there is no clear right or wrong, you have to ask yourself, “How will my decision affect other people?”

In summary, we will all give an account for what we do, so we should try to live in a way that won’t make others stumble. Unfortunately, it’s quite easy for me to only think of myself when decisions come. Today God, I ask for your help to remind me that decisions I make will not only affect myself but others around me. I really need to consider the impact of what I’m deciding on.