In Romans 14:1-23 Paul discusses the issue of “disputable matters” in the church. What things should we judge in the church and what things should be considered to be within the confines of Christian liberty? Why?
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daisymarygoldr on September 21, 2011 at 3:20 pm
The discussions on yesterday’s devotional post “love and grief” is a good example to address this topic. Clearly, reading Harry Potter is a disputable matter. The stronger believer is convinced that there is nothing wrong about Harry Potter and it can be of value to illustrate truths. He feels his freedom in Christ is being judged by those who think otherwise.
On the other hand, witchcraft related content defiles the weak conscience of another Christian. Moreover, she believes this will be detrimental to the spiritual growth of younger children and newbie believers. She judges Christians who indulge in questionable things and is critical of those who do not discern the leading of God’s Spirit.
So, should we in the church, judge those who read and watch Harry Potter or consider it to be within the confines of Christian liberty? Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians 8-10. Eating meat offered to an idol is not sinful. Likewise reading or watching Harry Potter is not sinful. Food or fiction does not bring us nearer to God.
However, in such debatable situations, weaker conscience of the Christian is more important than personal freedom of the believer—in order to preserve unity. In 1 Corinthians 10: 27-28 if invited for dinner by an unbeliever, Paul tells us to graciously turn down the food offered to idols for the sake of the weaker conscience of a fellow Christian.
Note: The believer is given precedence over the unbeliever. Point is—it makes no sense when we exercise our personal freedom in disputable matters to win unbelievers for Christ when we are unable to show love for our own who struggle with a weaker conscience.
Christians glorify God when under the law of love we limit our liberty to build up others in the body of Christ. It is sin to publicly use our liberty with Harry Potter when it defiles the conscience of others in the church. This applies to other things like smoking, drinking alcohol, watching TV, movies, reading and listening to secular/non Christian stuff.
Love does not flaunt our Christian liberty in the face of believers who struggle with weak conscience. Don’t let your liberty ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. Keep and enjoy your liberty between yourself and God (Rom 14:15, 16, 22). Just some of my random thoughts…
D.C. Wright on September 22, 2011 at 3:05 am
I believe that most things not specifically called out as sinful (such as adultery/sexual immorality) may be done by the believer in moderation, with the same caveat that Paul puts there: Never, EVER put a stumbling block in front of your brother or sister for any reason.
If you have a glass of wine with dinner, or indulge in some other adult beverage, in the privacy of home, I believe that to be OK, in keeping with Biblical passages on the topic and on Paul’s writings in particular. HOWEVER, getting drunk and disorderly or sitting in bars or other places of questionable repute are never acceptable for any reason. Restaurants which serve alcohol would be OK, provided that you behave with decorum. Also, if you are a pastor, I believe that avoidance of even the APPEARANCE of impropriety is important.
There is more, for this is a VERY important topic, but it grows late and morning comes early!!!
In Christ,
D.C. Wright
zero_g on September 22, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Since the question mentioned “judgement” I will assume we are talking about sins of other people, not ourself. In this case I think it totally depends on the person and how well you know them. If their sin is causing problems in their life, then it would be appropriate to confront them. But it would only be appropriate for someone who knows the person well. The sin may not appear to them as to be causing problems, so the confrontation would be more along the lines of getting them to think about how it may be affecting them. And even then, it is confrontation not judgement. It is not our duty to judge.
bobby7 on September 23, 2011 at 6:32 am
D.C Wright wrote “I believe that most things not specifically called out as sinful (such as adultery/sexual immorality)” but is adultery in the bible not specifically called out as sinful?
Also, daisymarygoldr, do you think it is okay for christians to smoke in private cigarette or weed?
tom felten on September 23, 2011 at 9:47 am
bobby7, I believe D. C. Wright was listing adultery/sexual immorality as sinful behaviors—that’s why they were placed in parentheses immediately following the word “sinful.” Hope this helps.
daisymarygoldr on September 23, 2011 at 3:18 pm
bobby7, in matters that are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, such as smoking, Christians have the liberty to make personal judgments. We judge to evaluate all things—and make personal choices based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Liberty is where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17)—and it is He who helps us discern between good and bad.
So, personally I do consider smoking as sinful. Liberty does not allow me to abuse my body with harmful substances. Freedom is not to indulge in the flesh (Gal 5: 13) and serve self but to serve God and others. When a person is mastered (1 Corinthians 6:12) by the habit of smoking and it becomes an addiction—it is a sin.
Nevertheless, this is my personal conviction and I cannot impose it on others. We are not called to judge another Christian who believes the liberty in Christ gives her the freedom to smoke… as long as she does not subject others in the church to second hand smoke. It is something that needs to be kept between the individual and the Lord to whom each one of us is accountable for the deeds we do in the physical body (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Also, addiction to substances is certainly a weakness and we need to be considerate of Christians that are struggling to overcome smoking. In doing this, we fulfill the law of love—to bear the burdens of others and help them in their weaknesses. Hope this helps answer your Q…
bafil on September 23, 2011 at 9:24 am
Isn’t there a difference between discernment and judgement?
I see discernment as an act done to consider an action for yourself or those you are called to guide: ( those you have a personal relationship with, children, siblings, close friends)
and judgement as something that you consider about for others, ( someone you don’t know well)
Matthew7: 1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged…” and Titus 3: 9 “But avoid foolish disputes…” and James 4:11 have resonated in me as being about judgement and
Psams 119:66 and the first judges means discernment, and
Romans 14: 1-12 explains both clearly.
The stumbling block to many who wish to draw closer to God may be people who preach wrongs to avoid rather than a God who accepts us for who and where we are and lovingly shows us the truth when we are ready for it.
When we have found discernment we are to share with those we love, after praying that God will open their hearts to hear. Sometimes God has told me, “No, not now.”
imadonna on September 23, 2011 at 11:44 am
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Paul knew what he was talking about with the idea of freedoms. Some Christians think that our freedom in Christ is a license to do what we want. Spiritual discernment is vital for making right choices, and the Holy Spirit will let you know, if you are in tune with Him. Abraham Lincoln quoted well, that ‘Freedom consists not in doing what you like, but in having the right to do what you ought’? We Christians may have the freedom to do things that that we feel aren’t harming anyone, but the question is not “can we?” but “should we?” Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ If we are keeping our hearts and minds pure, for our Lord, because He wants a bride that is undefiled, should we be corrupting our thoughts with worldly images and ideals? This can only damage our spirit, and we are called to be Holy, 1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” The question for this forum is certainly about judgment, but I believe we should first of all judge ourselves. 1 Corinthians 11:31 states “But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.” Therefore, we need to carefully examine what we feel are our freedoms, and question whether it is right, even in the privacy of our homes.