The Christian and Morality

Before you can do anything as a Christian, there are a number of test that the thing must pass before it can possibility be right.  Are you willing to up what you do to the test?

1. Is it sinful?  (condemned directly) We can’t do anything the Bible condemns by name or principle.  See Gal 5:19-21
2. Is it harmful to your body?I Cor. 9:24-27; I Cor 6:19; Rom 12
3. Is it doubtful? Rom 14:23.  If one cannot do something with a good conscience, it is not right for he cannot do it by faith.
4. Could it be a stumbling block?Rom 14:13; I Cor 10:32.  If what offends one personally everyone has to quit, then that one person is the rule upon which all things must be judged.  But, if such a thing or practice would cause one to stumble, then “judge ye rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.” Rom 14:13.  Would it cause a weak one to fall?  If it would, I cannot do it as a Christian if I love all.
5. Does it bring me into an entangling alliance, or, into the wrong kind of association?I Cor 15:33
6. Does it create an inordinate fleshly appetite?  I Cor 6:12.  Paul would not be brought under the power of an expedient (something not harmful in itself) If something right within itself can get hold of you and be your master if practiced, it is wrong.  a) any inherent desire God has put in man is right and God has provided for it to be satisfied in a legal way.  b)  When some brood on trash to increase appetites and fulfill them illegally, this is sin.
7. Does it conflict with my duty as a Christian?  Matt. 6:33   a) Some get so absorbed with a hobby that they don’t have time for duties as a Christian.  b)  Mt. 6:33 – Anything is wrong if it is too time consuming.
8. Would Jesus do it?  I Pet. 2:21 – We are to follow in his steps.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES TO TRY BY THESE RULES

1. Drinking…..is drinking sinful?  Drunkenness surely is Gal. 5:21.  Just what is drunkenness?  Someone has said when a person takes his first drink, he is one drink drunk.  One drinker in eight becomes a problem drinker.  Would you?  Doubtful?  If not, why ask?  Harmful to my body?  Some 60% of all traffic deaths are due to drinking.  After even one drink your reactions are duller.  Do you need all your faculties when driving in traffic today?  Stumbling block?  If you don’t fall (?) by drinking, are those whom drink any, one becomes a problem drinker.  Risky, isn’t it? Entangling alliances?  Wrong associations?  If you drink, you are sure to have evil associates.  Inordinate fleshly appetite?  Many who drink would give all they own to be able to quit.   Conflict with my duty?  Many are paupers because of it.  Some 75% of all divorces are due to drinking.  Would Jesus drink today?  You answer the question honestly.
2. Dancing –  Is it sinful?  Gal. 5:19-21 condemns: a lasciviousness which is “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.  Wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.  Thayer.  Webster says it is that which “tends to produce lewd emotions.”  b.  revelling which are: (generally defined as “night club atmosphere with all the trimmings).  c. other things of Gal 5:18-21 many times are generally thought to be brought on by dancing.  Is it harmful to my body?  Some things that go on around such an atmosphere sure may be. (fights, drinking etc)  Is it doubtful?  The church as preached against it for years. stumbling-block? If you don’t fall thru it, you cannot regulate the minds of all men.  In what other situation can so many men embrace so many women?  Entangling alliances?  If you were hunting evil associates, what better place could you look than the dance halls? Inordinate fleshly appetite?  All physicians say yes.  A large number of those “fallen ones” admit the dance is what did it.  Conflict with my duty?  The Christian should abstain from the very appearance of evil I Thess 5:22Would Jesus do it?  Can you imagine Him at a dance?  I can’t!
3. Gambling– Is it sinful?  Stealing is condemned (Eph 4:28)  and a professional may take ones money as easily as a thief at night.  There seem to be three laws of transferring money (legitimate).  a)  The law of Exchange–in which commodity is exchanged for its value in money. b)  The law of labor – (physical or mental), where one actually earns, by time and energy expended, the money he receives.  c)  The law of love-  in which something is given without any desire or expectation of receiving any return.  Gambling surely comes under none of these.  It is even condemned by state law in many states (Rom. 13).  Is it harmful to my body?  How many starve because of it?  Is it doubtful?  The whole world doubts it.  Could it become a stumbling block?  Many get the gambling craze from others.  It takes two (ordinarily).  Does it bring me into entangling alliances?  Yes, ordinarily.  Does it create inordinate appetite?  Some get this craze just like the alcoholic gets his craze for liquor.  Some “can’t” stop.  Does it conflict with my duty?  Some lose their time and money doing it.  Would Jesus do it?  Can you imagine Jesus trying to take someone’s money away from him?  Answer it honestly and you’ll have the answer.

Try Smoking? Try any thing you wonder about.  These principles will surely hold up.  They are Bible principles.
Reference: The Church- The Greatest Work of God”, David Bonner, 1971, pages 72-74

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