Do Not Cause Your Brother or Sister in Christ to Sin

Do Not Cause Your Brother or Sister in Christ to Sin

There is a problem in the Church that can cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble into sin. The problem is sexually provocative and revealing clothing being worn in church.

There are men and women who attend our churches who have been delivered from sexual sin. They come to church because they want to worship Christ Jesus and our Heavenly Father. They may be fighting battles that no one else knows about, and the Church should be a place that encourages them toward holiness—not a place that unnecessarily places temptation before them.

But there are some who are coming to church dressed in a manner that is neither modest nor appropriate for worship. Women do not need to wear revealing clothing as though they were going to a club, and men should not wear clothing that provocatively reveals or emphasizes private areas of their bodies. Biblical modesty applies to both men and women.

I am not making this up. I have even seen people involved in ministry dressed inappropriately. This is a problem in the Church. Sexuality should never become the focal point when we gather together. Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit should be our focus.

I remember a few years ago when a youth was allowed to read Scripture during a church service. We had brought a guest with us who was looking for a new church. The young lady was permitted to go onto the platform wearing extremely short, cut-off jean shorts that were very revealing. It was appalling to see, especially from someone standing before the congregation to read the Word of God. I spoke to the pastor about it afterward. Unfortunately, our guest never wanted to return to that church.

“Come as you are” has to do with coming to Christ with a heart willing to surrender to Him. It should never be used as an excuse to disregard modesty. Showing excessive skin or deliberately wearing sexually provocative clothing can become a stumbling block for brothers and sisters in Christ who may already be struggling with sexual temptation.

Jesus warns us in Luke 17:1–2:

“And He said to His disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.’”

Jesus gives a very serious warning about causing others to stumble. If something we knowingly do encourages another believer toward sin, our actions can become a stumbling block.

What is a “stumbling block?” It can refer to something that places temptation before another person, encourages someone to violate his or her conscience, or contributes to weakening another person’s walk with God. Scripture teaches us that even when we believe we have freedom in a particular area, Christian love sometimes calls us to limit that freedom for the spiritual well-being of another believer.

Jesus’ reference to a millstone illustrates just how seriously He regards causing others to stumble. He was not commanding someone to drown himself. Rather, He used powerful language to emphasize the seriousness of leading others into sin. We should never treat another person’s spiritual welfare lightly.

Satan loves to use sexual immorality to bring men and women down. Wearing low-cut blouses, excessively revealing clothing, or other sexually provocative attire can unnecessarily place temptation before someone who may already be fighting a difficult spiritual battle.

Please do not dismiss this by simply saying, “They need to control their own lust.” Yes, every person is responsible before God for his or her own thoughts and actions. But Christian love also asks, “Could what I am doing unnecessarily become a stumbling block to someone else?” We should care enough about our brothers and sisters in Christ to consider how our choices affect them.

Dress is certainly not the only issue facing the Church, but it is one that we should not be afraid to address. We are called to present ourselves to God in a manner that reflects holiness—not only when we enter a church building, but in our daily lives.

A few years ago, I mentioned this subject to another ministry worker, and he was offended that I brought it up. But if we never address difficult subjects, how will we teach and disciple new Followers of Christ about living lives that are holy and pleasing to our Father in Heaven?

We need to lead by example. We need to teach biblical modesty with both truth and love. And we need to remember that holiness is not about drawing attention to ourselves—it is about living in such a way that our lives point others toward Christ Jesus.

If you recognize that you have been a stumbling block to someone else, repent and ask God to forgive you. Then make the necessary changes and determine, by God’s grace, not to become that stumbling block again.

Let our desire be this: May the way we dress, speak, behave, and live never unnecessarily draw someone toward sin, but instead point them toward Christ Jesus and a life that is holy and pleasing to God.

Written by Joseph T. Lee; Copyright ©️ 2026 Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved.