Questionable Practices

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

Let's face it, the word of God is very clear on sin and, as a follower of Jesus, what we should and should not do. For instance, the word is very clear on lying, fornication, adultery and even the intangible sins, i.e., lust, covetousness, envy as well as it is clear on those things we should do such as praying, loving God and our neighbor, meditating on the word, etc. But what about those things in which we have searched the scripture and cannot find a clear cut answer? In every culture there are certain practices which are questionable. These are practices which are not specifically mentioned in Scripture as being either wrong or right for a follower of Jesus.

We can easily think of such practices in our own culture. They might include activities of leisure or entertainment. They may be clubs or organizations to which we would choose to belong or affiliate ourselves with. These practices include certain habits and choices of what we eat or drink. They may be questions on which days to worship or holy days.

How do we determine the will of God regarding questionable practices 

when specific guidance on such matters is not emphatically stated in the Bible? Ask yourself these questions:

®     What Is Your Motivation?

Why do you want to engage in this practice? What is your reason or motive for doing it? Even a good activity can be done with a wrong motive. For example, James gives an illustration of a wrong motive for prayer:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3

Praying is certainly not wrong but the motives for some requests are improper. The motivation described in this verse is the wish to fulfill lustful desires.

®     Is It Necessary?

Apostle Paul states that while some things may be considered lawful (not in violation of God's written Word), you should consider whether they are really necessary. Consider the repercussions; if not to yourself, then to others.  He states:

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: . . .  1 Corinthians 6:12

®     Will It Promote Spiritual Growth?

Many activities can hinder spiritual growth. Other activities can become so time consuming that they choke out spiritual growth:

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.    Mark 4:18-19

And that which fell among thorns are they, which when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  Luke 8:14

Ask yourself, "Will this activity hinder or promote my spiritual development?"

Activities that hinder spiritual development become weights which interfere with the spiritual race God has set before us:  

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1

®     Is It An Enslaving Habit?

When considering a questionable practice, ask yourself,  "Will this practice enslave me to a habit?" An enslaving habit is one which controls you. You feel you cannot get along without it and you have difficulty giving it up.  Apostle Paul comments regarding enslaving habits:  

. . .  All things are lawful unto me, . . . but I will not be brought under the power of any.   1 Corinthians 6:12

Any activity which is enslaving physically, mentally, spiritually, or habitually demands valuable time should be avoided.

®     Is It A Compromise?

Apostle Paul asks, 

". . . what communion hath light with darkness?"  2 Corinthians 6:14

Will the questionable practice you are considering be a spiritual compromise? Will you be engaging in activities of the world or accepting its standards by doing this thing? The Bible commands:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  2 Corinthians 6:17

®     Will It Lead To Temptation?

Jesus taught us to pray "lead us not into temptation." It is useless to pray this prayer and then by means of a questionable activity deliberately place yourself in a place of temptation. The Bible warns:   

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man; But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.   James 1:13-15

Temptation is different from a trial of faith. A trial of faith occurs when a believer faces a difficult situation through no fault of his own. The situation tries our faith in God. God permits trials to strengthen our faith and bring spiritual maturity.

But God does not tempt man. Temptation is the desire to do wrong. Temptation comes when we do not control our thoughts and actions properly or when Satan entices us to do evil. Some questionable practices may put us in situations of temptation. If we yield to the temptation, lust results in sin, and sin results in spiritual death:

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished , bringeth forth death.  James 1:15

®     Does It Give The Appearance Of Evil?

Does the practice you are considering give an appearance of evil to others? The Bible commands:

Abstain from all appearance of evil.  1 Thessalonians 5:22

®     DOES IT VIOLATE YOUR CONSCIENCE?

When making a decision regarding questionable practices, you should be fully persuaded the choice you make is right. If the practice leads to feelings of guilt because it was done or feelings of condemnation  because it should not have been done, then it is a practice that should be avoided.  In New Testament times believers disagreed over whether or not it was right to eat certain meats since those meats had been used for sacrifices under the Old Testament law. These sacrifices were used as atonement for man's sin before Jesus gave His life as the final and complete sacrifice for sin. Because meat was used for sacrifices there were laws against eating certain meats. Apostle Paul wrote regarding this question:

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.  Romans 14:23

The principle is that you must be fully persuaded in questionable matters that what you are doing is right; that there is no guilt or condemnation associated with it and that it is within the confines of the knowledge of God.

®     How Will It Affect Others?

This leads to another factor in regards to questionable practices. How will engaging in this activity affect others? Will it edify others? To edify means to instruct, build up, or improve spiritually. The Bible states:

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.  Romans 14:19

Does this activity contribute in a positive way to the spiritual development of others? Apostle Paul writes:

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  1 Corinthians 10:23

Some practices in which we might engage may cause other believers to be hindered in their spiritual walk. Again, speaking on the question of eating meat, Apostle Paul wrote:

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth lest I make my brother to offend.   1 Corinthians 8:13

Apostle Paul did not consider it wrong to eat meat. But he would not eat it if it hindered a weaker brother in the Lord. A weaker brother is a believer who, because of weakness of faith, knowledge, or conscience can be affected by the example of a stronger brother. He can be influenced to sin against his conscience and his spiritual progress can be hindered.

A stronger believer is one who, because of his understanding of freedom in accordance to God's word in certain areas and the strength of his conviction, exercises liberty with good conscience. He is not influenced by the differing opinions of others.

Any action by a stronger brother which ordinarily would be permissible is wrong if it influences a weaker brother to sin against his conscience or hinders his spiritual progress. Apostle Paul wrote:

It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.  Romans 14:21

®     Does It Glorify God?

Lastly and perhaps the most important principle by which to judge a questionable practice is to ask the question, "Does it glorify God?"

The Bible indicates all we do should glorify the Lord:  

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 

Colossians 3:23-24

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