Do The Best Christians I Know Agree That it is Right? #Questionable Things

"In multitude of counsellors there is safety."—Proverbs 24:6.

There have been instances in my life where I have had a difficult time deciding about a matter. After using all the previous guidelines we've discussed, I still wasn't satisfied. My last resort was to seek the counsel of good, godly Christians.

When you are faced with a questionable matter, approach several Christians individually and get their opinions. Their counsel is valuable in helping make the right decisions.

—this series was condensed and used from the pamphlet, Deciding Questionable Things for the Christian by Dr. Curtis Hutson. If you would like to read this in its entirety, please order your copy today from SwordBooks.com

Am I Fully Persuaded That it's Right? #Questionable Things

"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."—Romans 14:5.

If you are not thoroughly convinced that a thing is right, then it is best not to do it.

Romans 14:23 warns, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

If you don't have peace about the matter, don't do it.

When a believer is faced with a decision regarding a questionable matter, he should never proceed unless he has complete peace about it. If there is nothing wrong with it, then God is able to give complete peace.

Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." You can rest assured that every time you violate the scriptural principle of this verse, you will regret it. A Christian should have complete peace about it and be thoroughly persuaded or convinced that it is right.

Does it Offend Other Christians? #Questionable Things

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

It is clear from this passage that some weaker Christians thought eating meats was wrong; and, though Paul taught that "every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving," he said, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

When I ask, 'Does it offend other Christians', I don't mean that if you can find one single Chistian anywhere in the world who is offended by the thing in question, then you shouldn't do it. You will find some Christians who would be offended at almost anything you did. But if it offended several good and respected Christians, then I wouldn't do it.

As children of God, we have a responsibility to every other born-again believer.

Does it Bring Glory to God? #Questionable Things

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

Whatsoever we do, we are to do it to the glory of God. That would involve anything the Christian wants to do or is ever tempted to do.

Does the thing you have a question about bring honor to God? Does it glorify God? Does it give God a good name? If not, then it is wrong. 

"He leadenth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."—Psalm 23:3.

We are Christians. We bear His name. Our lifestyle, language, attitudes, and manner of dress reflect on His name. Unless you are convinced the thing in question will bring glory to God, then don't do it.

Can You Give God Thanks for It? #Questionable Things

"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.

Whatever the matter in question, can you honestly thank God for it? If you cannot sincerely give thanks to God for the matter in question, then it is best not to do it.

Can You Do It in the Name of the Lord Jesus? #Questionable Things

"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.

Notice the words whatsoever ye do in word or deed. That covers every word the believer will ever utter and anything the believer will ever do. And according to the verse, we are to do it "in the name of the Lord Jesus."

When the believer is faced with a matter and can't decide whether it is right or wrong, he should simply ask, "Can I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus?" If you can't, it's wrong.

Are You Willing to do What's Right? #Questionable Things

We often receive letters from honest, sincere Christians wanting to know if a certain thing is right or wrong. Sometimes, there is no verse in the Bible that gives a clear answer to these questions, but we must remember two things regarding the Bible.

1. The Bible was written for all people of all ages. Therefore, everything could not be spelled out in detail. For instance, if there was a verse in the Bible that states, "Thou shalt not smoke Camel (cigarettes)," those old rabbis would have had a difficult time interpreting the passage.

2. The Bible is a condensed Book. John 21:25 states "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." So, had everything Jesus did been written in books, no one would ever find time to read them all.

The Bible is not a revelation of what God knows, but a revelation of what God wants men to know. Since the Bible does not give detailed answers to every question the believer will ever face, then what does he do regarding things not spelled out in the Scriptures?  While the Bible does not give all the specific details regarding what a Christian should and should not do, it does give guidelines by which every honest Christian can make the right decision regarding questionable things. In this series, we will share eleven guidelines that will help the believer in deciding whether a thing is right or wrong.

We are the servants and God is the Master. It's not the servant's duty to guess what the Master wants; it's only his duty to obey once the Master makes His will clear. When the believer doesn't know whether a certain matter is right or wrong, he should decide firmly and clearly that he will do God's will even if it goes against his wishes.

We must have the attitude, Lord, I don't know whether this is right or wrong; but if You will let me know for sure, I will do right regardless of what others say or what my preferences are.

The person who wants God's very best for his life and will do what is right can know God's will regarding questionable things. If you're not willing to do the right thing once you know it, then the rest of the guidelines to follow will be useless.