Should I Or Shouldn’t I?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesWhen people are trying to determine the difference between right or wrong, their decision is often based upon their personal feelings. However, the wise man said that “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26).
May I suggest that if you want to determine whether an action is right or wrong, put it to the test below and see how it fairs:
- Does the Bible explicitly approve or condemn this action? (Colossians 3:17).
- Is there a biblical principle related to this action? (Gal. 5:19-21).
- What effect will this action have on my influence as a child of God? (Matthew 5:16).
- What is the advice of Christians who are more mature than me? (Proverbs 9:8-9).
- Does this action make me feel the least bit guilty? (Romans 14:23).
- With what kind of people does this activity surround me with? (1 Corinthians 15:33).
- Does this activity enslave? (1 Corinthians 6:12).
- Would Jesus involve Himself in this activity? (1 Peter 2:21).
- Would I be ashamed if those who participate in this activity discovered that I was a Christian? (John 1:8).
- Does this activity produce good or bad fruits? (Gal. 5:19-23).
- Could this activity be a stumbling block to others? (1 Corinthians 8:11-13).
- Is this activity harmful to my body? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Does this activity cause me to dress immodestly? (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
- Does this activity break the laws of the land? (Romans 13:1-7).
- Does this activity hinder my spiritual development? (Hebrews 12:1).
If you desire to grow in godliness, to please God rather than yourself, the above guidelines should be of some help to you. If your actions do not harmonize with the above guidelines, your actions, not the guidelines, need to change.
Remember, we are God’s people, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood who have been called out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Let’s live like the people God wants us to be!
—Steve Higginbotham via the Montana Street bulletin