CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 918

“Questionable Matters”

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to…do anything that causes your brother to stumble. (Romans 14:20)

Do you find yourself facing choices and wishing for crystal clear direction? The Bible provides very clear direction in many areas that guide our choices in life. Do not steal, Honor your Father and Mother, Do not covet, and so on. There are however many choices we have to face in life that are not clearly defined by the ‘Thou shalt not’passages of God’s Word. These ‘gray area’ life choices are typically what become regulated by church doctrine and what is permissible for one denomination may not be for another further adding to one’s confusion.

These issues deal with smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages. They even involve seemingly innocuous issues such as what is acceptable attire, whether to chew gum or dance, and which day is the Sabbath, as well as what meats and foods to eat. The early church wrestled with these issues as people with varied cultural backgrounds came together as the Christian Body of Christ and sought to follow Him and to glorify God in their lives. The modern church continues to wrestle with such issues today.

Beginning with Paul’s letter to the Roman church and in other Biblical passages we find guidelines for Christian conduct in questionable matters. We can prayerfully apply these guidelines to our questionable matter choices today and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, will help us to choose wisely and not place a stumbling block in our path or in the path of others.

CONVICTION: The first of these guidelines deals with your personal conviction concerning the matter that the Bible is silent about. Are you completely convinced in your heart that it is right? If you seek a consensus of opinion by asking a friend, elder, or Pastor what they think then you most likely do not pass this first guideline test. You lack a personal conviction and it is a wrong choice for you. … Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. …For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22-23)

CONSCIENCE: After you have made your choice do you have regrets? Are there consequences because of your choice that adversely affected you or others making you wish you had not gone in that particular direction? If you are not completely at peace in your heart then the choice was wrong for you and your conscience is prompting you to repent. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. (Acts 24:16)

CONSIDERATION: You may be thoroughly convinced and at peace with your choice. However, this third guideline is where you walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Does your exercise of freedom cause someone else to stumble that may be weaker in their faith concerning this matter? If it does, then you should sacrificially give consideration to the brother or sister and not exercise your freedom in the matter. It has become wrong for you to do so. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?…Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:10-13)

May the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and guidance in questionable matters.