"I caused someone to stumble so I'm responsible for their sin and separation from God."
How it sounds in your head: Someone saw me do something wrong and they used it as an excuse to walk away from God. I feel like it's my fault they're not following Jesus anymore. The Bible says woe to those who cause others to stumble and I think that's me.
"The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."
-- Ezekiel 18:20Source: Religious teaching that misuses Matthew 18:6 to create false responsibility for others' choices, making you carry guilt for decisions only they can make before God.
You saw the connection between your action and their choice and assumed causation equals responsibility, but each person stands before God for their own choices—you didn't remove their free will.
When David was running from Saul in distress and debt and discontentment, broken people gathered to him. He didn't push them away fearing he'd ruin them—he led them, and they became mighty warriors. God used the broken leading the broken.
I REFUSE the lie that I'm responsible for someone else's walk with God. IT IS WRITTEN that each soul bears their own guilt—I can influence but I can't control their choices. David led broken people while he was broken and they became warriors. My mistakes don't have power to permanently separate someone from a God who pursues them relentlessly. IT IS WRITTEN in Philippians 1:6, He who BEGAN a good work in them will complete it—their story isn't over because of my chapter. I am covered by the BARAK blessing that protected Abraham's household even when he messed up. I am RELEASED FROM FALSE RESPONSIBILITY, FORGIVEN FOR MY PART.
The Father sees you carrying guilt for someone else's choice and He's running toward you with Ezekiel 18:20, showing you that each person stands before Him individually. You're not their savior—Jesus is—and He's not done with their story.