Dealing with Matters of Conscience

While eating food sacrificed to idols may not be an issue for modern Christians we are faced with many other issues that would fall under the category of : Matter of Conscience. I often get questions like this and it can become challenging jumping theological hurdles in dealing with issues striking that proper balance in not presenting a stumbling block and at the same time not imposing a man made rule or regulation on someone. I decided to post a few examples of questions that I have received recently and over the years to help demonstrate how we can apply the principles of 1 Cor. 8 and also add another strategy in dealing with these issues.

As I outline some of these, let me preface by saying that there are issues that are clearly dealt with in  Scripture. When someone come to me and asks is it okay to engage in pre-marital sex? - the answer is obviously no, and that is a matter of fact. However there are issues that are not so clear in Scripture and must be given more thought.

Sabbath Observance: Romans Chapter 14 is the main passage along with 1 Corinthians 8 dealing with issues of conscience. In Rom. 14, Paul deals with the issue of Sabbath observance. In the new church made up of both Jewish and Gentile converts there was definitely a difference on this issue. Jews were still no doubt beholden to the Law, and with a weak conscience felt obligated to observe the (Saturday) Sabbath. But Gentiles on the other hand felt no such obligation. To them "all days were alike" and their conscience was free from guilt in non- sabbath observance. However it is important to note that the early church had already established a tradition of meeting on the first day of the week for corporate worship in accordance with Jesus resurrection. But this was not the same as the Jewish Sabbath. This is one major issue of debate amongst sincere believers today. Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath? I would say no. There is no explicit teaching in the NT that states that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday nor that the observances of the Sabbath was to be maintained by the church. While opponents may argue that Sabbath observance is instituted at creation and ratified in the Ten Commandments, I would argue that the "Saturday' Sabbath was instituted to point to the "rest" we enter, when we come to faith in Christ. (Col. 2:16-17, Heb 4:9) But the point here is this- If someone believes that Sunday is the Christian Sabbath and to go out to eat or do business on Sunday is a sin, I will not argue with them- because I do not want to cause them to violate their conscience and cause a weaker brother to stumble. At the same token- I think those who do hold those views should not seek to impose their beliefs on those who do  not agree. As scripture says: "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord." Rom. 14:5-6 As with other issues- this is a matter of conscience.

Alcoholic Beverages: During the industrial revolution in the United States, many churches bought into what is called "cultural holiness." Which simply is a form of legalism in response to cultural trends. When the industrial revolution took place, most men worked out of the house long hours and spent a great deal of time drinking. Consequently business production was weakened, domestic violence increased and crime also was on the rise. The culprit was drunkenness. The response by many Evangelical churches was to completely renounce all forms of drinking as utterly sinful and teach and preach total abstinence. Ever since the prohibition activists were successful in completely condemning the usage of all alcoholic beverages, there has always been a strong position of this maintained in many churches. Such a response was a radical approach to dealing with a larger social problem. The reality is- the bible does not teach total abstinence of alcoholic beverages. In fact everyone in the bible probably drank alcoholic beverages on a daily basis. Why? Prior to modern times, pure water was hard to come by- and the drink of choice was wine. Even in Europe during the middle ages and in early America, beer was a common drink. Why? Once again- pure water was hard to come by. Try to push total abstinence on people in those times and there would not be much to drink. Even in some parts of the world today people still drink wine with their meals as part of a culture, and they are not drunkards. I heard of one story where a group of Evangelicals from America took a trip to Israel. While on tour they celebrated the Lord's Supper at the empty tomb where Jesus was supposedly laid. When some in the group found out that real wine was being served they protested and refused to celebrate communion believing it to be a sin to use wine in the Lord's Supper. Last I checked the bible says Jesus used wine, not grape juice. See how silly? The problem is not drinking- but drunkenness. The bible condemns drunkenness because it take control over someones life and places people into bondage. Eph. 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," which means we are to be controlled by the Spirit and not by alcohol. However once again, if someone has a weak conscience and drinking alcohol can lead them into irreparable sin - Like Paul said... I will never "eat meat again". Just fill in the blank, "If doing something hurts my brother, I will never (               ) again."

I have been asked many questions about what is sinful and what is not. I have been asked if things like are sinful like, martial arts, tattoos, clothing, music, entertainment, dancing, playing cards, video games, certain career choices, eating blood sausage, eating pork, eating shrimp, etc. etc.  Because not everything is clear in scripture as to what is sinful and there are "gray" areas there is a strategy we can use in helping us form our convictions and thereby live accordingly to our own conscience. Each one of us must listen to our own conscience after careful study of scripture and not be told by anyone else what to do. Rom. 14:22-23 "The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."

1) Rom. 14:7-8 "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. "  What is our motive? It is what is motivating us in our heart. At the root of everything we can determine why we are doing or not doing something. The most important question must be- is our motivation to honor God? Life is not ours to live but belongs to Christ. We were bought by a price and ultimately we must determine whether or not our conduct is pleasing to him.

2) 1 Cor. 6:12 Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Is what I am doing helpful to me spiritually, physically, mentally? Is it edifying? Or is going to draw me away from serving God?

3) 1 Cor. 6:12 Everything is permissible but I will not be mastered by anything. Is what I am doing going to bring me under bondage? (Years ago I bought a Sony PlayStation. After finding myself addicted to it and playing it for hours a day- I quickly gave it up realizing it was not doing me any good and was mastering my affections.)

4) 1 Cor. 8:13- If eating meat cause my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again. Is what I am doing hurtful to others? Is it going to offend a brother or sister in Christ and cause them to sin? We must be careful we do not exercise our liberty to someone else's hurt.

5) 1 Cor. 10:31 "Do all to the glory of God" Does what I do glorify God? In other words does what I do bring attention to the greatness and person of God? Is what I am doing reflecting God to those around me?

These are good ways to guide our conduct and help us to make wise choices in areas of conscience. Do you have anything that you are wondering about? Is there a matter which you are unsure of?

I would like to hear your comments. Please post any questions on matters of conscience you may have.