Jesus said,

The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him (1 John 2.10-nau)

One of the most common refrains in the Old Testament during the time of the divided kingdom was that the northern kingdom’s kings “caused Israel to sin.” This means these kings led the Lord’s people into idolatry, paganism and the immoral behavior associated with those things.

The blame game is one of the worst forms of rationalization. If we can blame someone else for our wrongdoing, we don’t take responsibility for our actions, and we minimize the sin we’ve committed. It is a sign of true contrition when someone says “it was nobody’s fault but my own.” This shows a sincere heart that recognizes in the end sin is between the person and God.

Often, however, this thinking is one sided. Others who may have contributed to the fall are let off the hook. The intention to take full responsibility is honorable, but we don’t lessen our responsibility if we admit the complexity of the causes of sin. Those who are led astray are responsible for allowing it to happen. However, leading others astray or failing to intervene when one could is as much a sin as the other.

Jesus warned of the consequences of sinning, but he also warned of the consequences of becoming a stumbling block for others (Matt. 13.41-42). The history of the Greek word  translated “stumbling block” (skandalon) serves as a clear illustration of Jesus’ meaning. It first was used of the part of a trap to which bait was attached, then the trap itself. Finally, it became a figure of anything that “arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).

Jesus taught that we are our brother’s keeper, something that Cain refused to acknowledge (Gen. 4.9). The Tempter was condemned for leading the first couple into sin, but Adam and Eve were held accountable for their own actions (Gen. 3.16-19). Jesus rebuked Peter, and called him “Satan” because he tried to lead Jesus away from His path to the cross (Matt. 16.23). So Jesus sees people acting as Satan when they lead others from God’s path.

We are responsible for others. We are expected to be a proper influence and example, in word and manner of life, so that others may be encouraged to live godly lives rather than enticed, intentionally or unintentionally, into sin.

[-Adapted, BTW]