By Bill Brady June 2025
Understanding what a stumbling block is in Scripture can mean the difference between spiritual momentum and a halted journey. From early Mosaic law to the prophetic warnings in Revelation, God’s Word reveals how subtle traps cause us to fall—and how we can gain the sight needed to overcome them.
What Is a Stumbling Block in the Bible?
A stumbling block is an unforeseen obstacle placed in your spiritual path. Because it remains hidden from view, you stumble, fall, and stall your journey—leading to spiritual decline or untimely death if left uncorrected.
Scripture introduces and concludes this vital concept in two key passages:
The First Mention (Leviticus 19:14): “You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” Here, God forbids taking advantage of physical or spiritual blindness. A blind person cannot see the obstacle and will inevitably fall.
The Final Mention (Revelation 2:14): Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for tolerating those who hold the doctrine of Balaam. King Balak offered Balaam money to curse Israel. When God blocked the curse, Balaam advised Balak to place a stumbling block instead—enticing Israelite men into idol worship and immorality. Israel traded out of God’s blessing, cursed themselves, and thousands died by plague.
Why Can’t We See the Stumbling Blocks in Our Path?
Stumbling blocks do not appear by accident; they are legal obstacles resulting from spiritual compromise (“wrong trading”). There are three primary reasons these traps remain hidden from our sight:
1. Spiritual Blindness from Past Compromise: Unaligned actions and wrong trading obscure our vision, making us unable to perceive spiritual hazards ahead.
2. Lack of Warning: We remain vulnerable when those called to guard and guide fail to take up their mandate to warn us of impending danger.
3. Refusing to Heed Instruction: As Ezekiel 3:20 warns, even when a righteous person receives a warning, choosing to ignore sound godly counsel leads directly into the trap.
How to Overcome and Avoid Stumbling Blocks
Stumbling blocks lose all their power the moment they become visible. Anyone who can see an obstacle can simply walk around it and keep moving forward.
To clear your path and protect your journey:
Repent and Trade Out of Compromise: Make a firm, permanent decision to renounce past wrong trading. Aligning yourself with God restores spiritual vision so you can spot hazards before tripping over them.
Connect with a Discerning Ecclesia: Surround yourself with a teaching body that actively discerns and warns believers about spiritual and Heavenly Realms stumbling blocks.
Warn Others: Once your eyes are opened, take up the mandate to help guide and protect those who cannot yet see the obstacles ahead.
For deeper insights into identifying spiritual hazards, explore additional teachings on Stumbling Blocks across our website resources and Patreon archives.
