Today, we are going to look at an oft-asked question by Christians: What can/can’t I do as a believer? It’s an important question, especially in the ‘post-modern’ time in which we live. Everything is relative, we are told. Situational ethics is not only condoned but encouraged. The Bible, however, takes a far different few from that. Nevertheless, there remain honest disagreements between believers about what is acceptable and what not. We won’t claim to give the final answer in this post, but simply try to look at the whole counsel of the Word.

The Believer is called to Liberty.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. . . . You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Gal. 5:1, 13).

The first thing we need to remember is that believers are free. The meaning of this word “freedom” has been much debated. Some say it means “I can do whatever I want.” Some say it means, “I can do whatever I should.” The biblical understanding of this, however, is different. Freedom for Paul meant freedom of conscience. As believers, we no longer have to struggle under the law, trying to follow external rules by which we obtain or maintain our righteousness. Since the Law can only condemn, those under the Law constantly struggle with condemnation, with “not being good enough.” The believer is free from that condemnation (Rom. 8:1). [See the blog post Bondage No More, for a detailed look at this passage in Galatians.]

Paul goes on to warn, however, that we should not use our freedom recklessly. Here’s an example of what he means in context. The Jewish Law prohibited eating certain animals. The believer, however, is free to eat any animal, as the Lord confirmed to Peter in the vision of Acts 10:9-16, and his explanation in verses 34-48. Jesus Himself had said food does not make a person unclean (Mark 7:14-19). Yet, if a believer were to eat such foods in front of a Jew, the latter would be highly offended, and thus the believer might lose an opportunity to be a witness because of his “freedom” (which, in Paul’s thinking, the believer has turned to license). Having said all that, we must also recognize that there are Scriptural limits on our freedom. We’ll look at these as a series of questions.

Is it prohibited in the New Testament?

This should be rather obvious. Jesus and the New Testament writers did name things that are incompatible with living as a follower of Christ. The lists in Rom. 1:28-32; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 are good places to start. Remember that these lists deal with both outward actions and inward attitudes.

Is it prohibited to all in the Old Testament?

There are also things that are prohibited in the Old Testament, either by express command (given to all people) or because of theological principles. For example, God gave this command to Noah after the flood: “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Gen. 9:4). Whatever this means—and there are varying interpretations, it was given to the only remaining people on earth, and thus it is applicable to all humanity. Murder is another example (Gen. 9:5-6).

One example that many misunderstand is that of the Sabbath. In Gen. 2:2-3, we are told that God rested on the seventh day, blessed it and made it holy. Many people see this, in connection with Exodus 20:8-11, as a prohibition to all against working on the seventh day. However, in the Genesis 2 passage, God merely gave us an example. He rested, so we should rest. In fact, that rest is a gift to us, not a burden. The command not to work was given specifically to Israel. In fact, Jesus quoted nine of the ten commandments during His ministry. The one He didn’t quote was the Sabbath. Finally, Paul specifically tells the Colossian believers that they will not be condemned for not keeping the Sabbath (2:16).

Is it beneficial, helpful, or profitable?

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful (1 Cor. 6:12a). Here Paul is giving a guideline that is helpful in judging actions. Just because something can be done does not mean it should. The word translated helpful here literally means “to bring together.” It refers to “gaining an advantage.” When the disciples wondered about Christ’s teaching on marriage in Matthew 19, they said, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry [i.e., “there is no advantage in marriage]” (v. 10). The “advantage” spoken by Paul is not simply an advantage over someone else, but is more about being advantageous to us in our service to God. If it an act will hinder (bring no advantage or actually be a disadvantage), it should be avoided.

Is it an activity that controls me?

“All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything (1 Cor. 6:12b). Here is the second part of Paul’s guideline. This is often misunderstood or misquoted as teaching that we should avoid anything that might control us. That can’t logically be the case because any activity can reach a point where it controls and dominates us. In context, Paul is using this standard to warn against giving into lust and sexual immorality—which, by its strong desires, often do control people. But the general principle applies to any such activity—alcohol, gambling, TV-watching (don’t look at me like that). Anything that dominates my life besides the Holy Spirit should be stopped. The other side of that is if an activity used to control us, it is better to avoid it rather than allow it to do so again. “Let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Will it cause a stumbling block in another’s life?

This is another often misunderstood principle. Paul teaches on this principle both in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10. It is often taught that we must not engage in an activity that will offend another. But what Paul is actually teaching is placing a stumbling block before another—particularly one with a weaker conscience. An example in context might look like this: A mature believer believes it is perfectly okay to eat meat that’s previously been sacrificed to an idol, knowing that ‘idols’ are no gods at all. He goes to a dinner party, and at that party a weaker (less mature believer) is present, who believes those idols are real and powerful. If the host of that party should make it plain that the meat was sacrificed to an idol, the mature believer should refuse it. Not for his own sake of course, but for the sake of the weaker brother. If the weaker brother saw the other eating that meat, he might doubt his own conscience and choose to eat—which is a sin to him because “whatever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23).

Here’s a modern example: A believer has a strong conviction that use of alcohol is a sin. If another (who believe that alcohol use is fine [avoiding excess or drunkenness of course]) drinks around the weaker brother and causes that brother to doubt his own conscience and drink, the ‘stronger’ brother has placed a stumbling block. In matters of indifference, the ‘stronger’ Christian (more mature) should give up his ‘rights’ in favor of supporting the weaker.

In the end, neither should judge the other on such matters—matters of indifference.

Does it match the characteristics we should be thinking about?

Paul gave us a lot of lists to help us know what is good and what is not. One of the ones we often overlook has to do with what we think about (and as we know, actions spring from thoughts and the heart).  He wrote: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). If it does not match those traits, then we should question whether it is a good thing.

Is it in accordance with biblical wisdom? Is it wise?

Finally, we must ask, “Is what I am contemplating a wise thing?” We are taught over and over in the Bible to seek biblical wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge, and we gain wisdom by studying the Scriptures, and seeking revelation from God. There is actually much practical wisdom in the Bible—in the so-called wisdom books (Proverbs being the most mentioned, though Psalms and Ecclesiastes also have much wisdom). Keep in mind that many of the principles here are just that—principles. They are rarely hard and fast commands.James promises that if we seek wisdom from the Father, He will give it to us liberally and without finding fault (James 1:5).

In the end, we must be led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. While we are free in Christ, our freedom is given to us so that we may encourage and build up others, instead of ourselves only. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Prov. 9:10). The guidelines above are simply starting points in thinking through our behaviors and panting a picture of what a follower of Christ looks like to the world.