Key Social Issues Facing Christians by Jim Rooney - HTML preview

 

Is It Legal?

The first question we want to answer is whether or not taking this substance is legal.  If it is not legal, then we must never participate in that activity.  The Word of God makes it clear that we are to obey the authorities over us as God has instituted all such authorities.  To be right with Jesus Christ, we must be good citizens obeying the laws of the land.  We must never break the law.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  (Rom. 13:1)

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.  (Matt. 22:21)

Just because something is legal, doesn’t make it allowable for a Christian to participate in.  However, its legality is a first step as to whether one can consider it.  If it is not legal, then anyone, Christian or otherwise, should not participate in that activity.  We show respect to God by showing respect to the governing authorities He has placed over us.

 

Is It Prescribed For A Medical Condition?

Any prescription medicine is certainly fine to take as long as it is taken properly under a doctor’s care.  Any overdose or improper use is to be avoided as it can be harmful to the body.  This is discussed more fully in the next section.

 

Is It Harmful To The Body?

The next question is whether there are any harmful consequences to our bodies from taking the drug?  Our bodies are a gift from God that He created to be used to serve Him. Our bodies belong to Him, not to us. We must never do anything to harm our bodies or use them in ways other than for that which the Lord created them. 

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.  (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:1-2)

As Christians, God considers our bodies a temple that the Holy Spirit resides in.  Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  He purchased us with His blood. We should do things with our bodies that bring glory to Him.  Improper use of legal or illegal drugs that harm this vessel God has given us must never be done.

 

Is It Addictive?

When taking a substance, does it cause one to lose control over whether we can take it or not take it?   Does the substance control us or do we control it?  One sign the substance is not right for the Christian is this matter of addiction.  As Christians, we must always be in control of our lives.  Either we are in control, or Satan is in control.  If we are doing something we can’t stop, we are letting outside forces control our lives.  If any substance has this kind of control over us, you can be sure it is evil and will result in sinful consequences. The Spirit-led Christian must never give up control of his life in any way whatsoever.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  (Rom. 8:14)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  (James 4:7)

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5:18)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

 

Is It Mind-Altering?

Again, we must be in control of our bodies and mental faculties to make sure we are obedient to the Word of God. If we do something where we are put in a mind-altering state, we lose  control of our senses.  Drugs that do this can cause severe mental and psychological problems. Being in this state can cause one to be easily possessed by demonic forces.  Even in a sober state we are still in the grip of sin and are often easy prey to demons. When drunk or high, we are even more easily manipulated by these unseen forces. We can end up harming or even killing someone in an auto accident when driving under these influences.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (1 Peter 5:8)

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13)

 

Is It A Stumbling Block To Others?

As Christians, we must be careful not do things that offend others or that might result in damaging another person’s faith in Christ. If we are taking drugs that violate the principles mentioned in this chapter, then doing so can weaken the faith of someone who knows that we are believers in Christ. Christians must not only think about how their conduct affects themselves but also how it can adversely affect others. Paul was concerned about this in his life.  Even when he knew that doing something was not wrong in and of itself, he still would not participate in it if doing so would potentially harm someone else.

¹⁴ I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵ Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love.  (Rom. 14:14-15)

¹⁹ Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. ²¹ It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.  (Rom. 14: 19-21)

⁹ But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? ¹¹ And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? ¹² But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.  (1 Cor. 8:9-13)

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

Gambling

 

It is true that gambling is not mentioned in the Bible.  However, there are a number of verses that give us principles regarding this subject.  Let’s examine some of those verses.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  (1 Tim. 6:10)

Gambling, pure and simple, is for the love of money and it often results in greed and many sorrows.  When we gamble our sole focus is to get more money.  We do this, not from the sweat of our brow through honest labor, but by a game of chance in which we have no control.  It is true that for the love of money all kinds of sin and evil are committed including theft, bribery, forgery, murder to collect on life insurance, illegal use of campaign funds, and the list goes on.

¹² All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  (1 Cor. 6:12)

Often gambling becomes an addiction. The gambler can become totally possessed by spending more and more of his hard-earned money to hit the jackpot.  Life savings can be wiped out by this addiction.  It can destroy marriages, families, and careers.

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb. 13:5)

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”  (Ex. 20:17)

To covet is to have an inordinate desire to have something that does not belong to you.  We often covet objects such as a very nice home, expensive cars, fancy clothing, and a lifestyle beyond our means.  The way some try to satisfy this covetousness is to get quick money to buy these things.  Some gamble hoping to achieve this end and often with disastrous results.  The Lord commands us to be content with the things we have and not to covet other things.  We are to trust in Him to take care of our needs, not in cards, dice, or a spinning wheel.

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  (Matt. 6:25-26)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  (Matt. 6:33)

Rather than gamble with your money, give that money to the work of the Lord. That will be an investment that will earn you heavenly rewards.

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matt. 6:19-20)

 

 

 

What About Investing In The Markets?

Some might ask, what about buying stocks, bonds, commodities, and real estate?  Isn’t that a form of gambling?  The answer is no. With investing, one is researching different types of investments.  Decisions are made with regard to the strength of the investment or companies involved. Planning is used. A broker may give advice. No cards, dice, wheel, or other medium of chance is used to make an investment decision.

The Lord wants and even expects us to invest our funds to make a return.  He used that concept to show how we should use our spiritual talents for the best return in serving Him.

¹⁴ “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  (Matt. 25:14-30)

As we should invest our money to bring us the highest rate of return, so too should we take the talents God has given us and use them to their fullest extent to bring a great return for the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

Suicide / Euthanasia

 

As was mentioned previously in this book, life is a gift from God.  It is God who causes life to begin at conception.  In the Bible, women who were childless, often referred to as barren, understood that it was God who controlled the opening or closing of their wombs.  We need to understand that God planned in eternity past to create us.  Not one human being has been conceived without the direct plan and intervention by God.  Besides salvation in Jesus Christ, our individual lives are the most precious gift we have.  We must not be involved in murder for that is certainly one of the most heinous sins one can commit.  Suicide is murdering oneself.  God hates murder for it terminates the life He created. 

As Christians, do we want the last act of our life before we stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be the sin of murder?  How can you repent and ask forgiveness after the sin of suicide?

My heart goes out to people who are suffering greatly because of an illness or disease.  Perhaps they are aged.  Many have opted to be euthanized as a way to stop the pain they are going through.  Is it all right to take your own life to prevent having to live with a painful disease or condition?

The Bible does not give permission for one to take his life to escape pain or his circumstances.  We have had Christian martyrs through history who have endured painful deaths by being burned at the stake, torn apart by lions, scourged, and crucified.  Jesus Christ died by scourging and crucifixion.  He made no attempt to end His life before experiencing His painful death.

“You shall not murder.”  (Ex. 20:13)

 

Chapter 8

Music

 

Singing and music can be such a blessing.  They can be used to inspire our hearts, calm us, help us to recall pleasant memories, and lift our spirits.  However, music can also be a negative factor in our lives. 

 

Lyrics

Lyrics communicate heartfelt feelings from the songwriter.  However, some use words that are inappropriate, mean, vindictive, filthy, and even hateful.  Lyrics that glorify hate and violence against others are evil and should never be listened to.  Words that demean men and women in a sexual way are also to be avoided.  Any song with words that promotes sin in any way is evil, and a Christian should have no participation in it.  When someone allows his mind to listen to evil, it will change his heart for evil. Words matter. Words can deceive.  The great deceiver, Satan, likes to use words to trick people into to committing evil. He did this to Eve and countless others since creation.  He will do it to you if you allow evil and sinful words in your mind and heart. Listening to evil words causes those words to become the words of the listener. Those words will be thought and spoken by the listener. 

“…But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37)

 

Musical Instruments

Some Christians think music is a neutral medium. It is my opinion that this is not true. Music affects our emotions. Music that is played with loud, hard rhythm and beats is used to excite the listener.  We all know of the rock conce