Is It A Sin (Final Chapter)

Now, finally, we are at the end of our look at what we do when the bible seems silent on the choices we face. So far we have looked more or less inward:

Will it strengthen my relationship with God?
Will it place me in bondage?
Will it violate my conscience?
Will it defile the temple of the Holy Spirit (my body)?

And of course undergirding all of this is the question: Whill this glorify God?

Now, we turn our focus outward and look at the effects our choices can have on others. Remember that the bible tells us to "do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

With that in mind, let's look at our first question: Will it further the cause of evangelism?

In 1 Cor. 10:32-33 Paul instructs us to "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved."

OK, so in modern english, what does that mean for us? We need to be careful what we do because people are watching. You may not realize it, but you are an example to others: friends, siblings, classmates, strangers who just happen to notice you, maybe even your parents. We all have someone who look to us and use what they see to draw conclusions about life or, as christians, about God.

Remember also, that as a christian you are an ambassador. Jesus has called us to share the Good News with others and "make disciples" (Matt 28:19). Consider if your actions are going to draw people toward Christ and forgiveness or cause offense and push them away.

Next: Will it cause someone else to sin?

If you tempt or cause someone else to sin, you are also guilty of sin. Jesus said that someone who causes someone to sin is better off if "with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea." (Mark 9:42)

According to John MacArthur, a well known and respected pastor and bible teacher:

This is the principle of love. As Romans 13:10 says: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law." If you know that your choice-what you consider "in bounds" and approved-causes another Christian to stumble and sin, love that brother or sister enough to restrict your own freedom. That is not very popular in our self-absorbed society, but it is biblical.To continue to indulge in a legitimate freedom that causes problems for another Christian is a sin. For "by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore," Paul said, "if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble" (1 Cor. 8:12-13).

Again, we are to consider other more important than ourselves. (Phil 2:3) Before you act, think of the impact you will have on those around you.

Above all else, we are to have an attitude of love. These questions are a way to examine our attitude, they are not meant to be yet another a set of legalistic rules we have to follow. If we ask these questions and discover our desires are contrary to what God would have us do, then we should pray and ask God to give us wisdom and to create in us a pure and righteous heart, that we would want the same things He wants.