Over the years, I have had dozens of questions about whether something is permissible for the Christian. These topics have included: Various kinds of piercings, tattoos, gambling, masturbation, pornography and other sex related issues, smoking, alcohol consumption and other drugs, and even rated-R movies.
While Scripture speaks to some of these issues directly, God still intends for us to be able to discern what is righteous from what is not. This is the sentiment of the following verse:
Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."Paul is telling us that we don't have to have an apostle around to determine right from wrong. We work out own salvation by God working in us to do His will.
I am appalled at how many church leaders and other Christians refuse to make any discernments on issues that are not explicit in the Scriptures, yet are content to condemn those who do as legalists. The irony is they are, in fact, the "legalists.” By that I mean they claim to dwell in a large gray area and called “freedom.” If there is not a specific command condemning their actions, they feel they are at liberty to proceed with almost anything. Therefore, because the Bible does not explicitly condemn gambling or cheating on a test, these actions must not be viewed as violations of God's will.
The fact is that God never intended His Word to be an exhaustive, timeless reference book of prohibited and permissible behavior. For instance, it does not say “Thou shalt not smoke marijuana,” or “Christians must not sell pornography,” yet, by the Spirit with us. we all know these things are sinful. So how does the Christian make such sure judgments when he cannot point to a Scripture that specifically names it as sin? The answer is that God has given Christians a measure of decorum that need not be exhaustively specific.
Whether any word or deed is appropriate for God’s children can be determined by answering three Bible questions:
1. Is what I want to do going to bring honor and glory to God?
“God will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” Romans 2:5-8.In fact Paul told the church specifically, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. That could be enough, but perhaps we should go further.
2. Will what we want to do harm us?
“But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” 1 Corinthians 6:17-20.We are to protect and take care of our mind and body in which God lives in by His Spirit. Perhaps you believe you have it all under control.
3. Could what we want to do be negative influences to others, leading them down the wrong path?
“But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:8-13.Interestingly enough, eating food sacrificed to idols, could pass the other two questions we have already asked. In itself, it is not a sin, but Paul says that it still can be. If what we do can cause our brother or sister in Christ to stumble, we have sinned against them and against Christ. Jesus said if we caused even the weakest among us to stumble it would be better to have a millstone put around our neck and tossed into the deepest sea.
We must have the heart to say "if this freedom causes my brother to stumble, I will never do it again.” Do you have the faith in God to trust Him to lead you along the path of righteousness? Do you believe that your loving Father has only your best interest in mind? Don't you think that is a heart to which God will open His floodgates wide?
"For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God." 1Peter 2:15-16
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