Questions to ask about Questionable Matters
Sometimes in Life our thinking can get a little “fuzzy”… one might begin to wonder if the decisions one is making are right or wrong, especially in areas where Christians disagree – “Those gray area”.Consider these questions as those one may ask to find one’s way out of “fuzzy” thinking.QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT QUESTIONABLE MATTERSHeb 3:13* But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
- IS IT FOR THE LORD? Does it bring praise to Him?
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10.31) (Rom 14.6-8)
- CAN I DO IT IN HIS NAME (on His authority, implicating Him)? Can I thank Him for it?
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3.17)
- CAN I TAKE JESUS WITH ME? Would Jesus do this?
“Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (PS 139.7)“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3.17)“Christ lives in me” (Gal 2.20“Christ…leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet 2.21)(Matt 28.19-20; JN 14.16-17; 23)
- DOES IT BELONG IN THE HOME OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6.19-20)(Eph 4.30)
- IS IT OF FAITH? Do I have misgivings? Must I have to justify, rationalize, or seek what is “right” with it?
“But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not ant from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Rom 14.23). Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 Jn 3.21)
- DOES IT POSITIVELY BENEFIT, BUILD UP (not simply, “Is it harmless?”)?
“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom 14.19) “Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor 14.26) (Rom 15.2; 1 Cor 15.2; Eph 4.12-16)
- DOES IT SPRING FROM, OR LEAD TO, LOVE OF THIS WORLD AND ITS VALUE SYSTEM?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2.15). (Mk 9.47; 11.14-15)
- DOES IT INVOLVE UNION WITH AN UNBELIEVER?
“Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6.14)
- “DOES IT COME FROM OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF LEADING TO BONDAGE?”
“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up” (1 Cor 10.23)
- IS THE MOTIVE PRIDE OR LOVE?
“We know that all of us possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know” (1 Cor 8.1-2)
- IS A GODLY MIND-SET THE CONTEXT OF MY DECISION ON THE MATTER?
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4.8). (Rom 12.1-2)
- WHAT DOES THE CHURCH SAY ABOUT IT?
“He who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men” (Rom 14.18)“For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (Acts 15.28). (Rom 14.16)
- WOULD I BE SHAMED DOING THIS WHEN JESUS COMES?
“And, now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame at his coming…We know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 Jn 2.28; 3.2-3). (Matt 24.44-51; Lk 23.34-35; 1 Thess 5.2-4) ALSO, TAKE THE THREE “C’s” TEST
- THE CONTENT TEST
Does it make us Adulterous Friends of the World???1 Jn 2.15-17: Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.Going to the world is the way we meet legitimate needs and desires in Forbidden Ways.Eph 4. 19-20f - So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way….
- The CONTROL TEST
Sometimes we don’t know whether or not something is controlling us until we try to stop it. Put it aside for 30 days and test and see how difficult it is to be without.1 Cor 6.12: All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
- THE CLOCK TEST
Redeem the time. Is it a good investment of time? If only I could have back all the time that I wasted in order to read the Bible.Eph 5.15-16: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.