Is It Right or Wrong?

Often Christians seem to be confused on the Bible’s teaching of separation.  The Bible is very clear on the Christian’s responsibility to be separated from the world.  The doctrine of separation is one that has become unpopular with many, but it is still a command of Scripture.  In II Corinthians 6:14- 18, Paul writes, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?  Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and ,be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 

Separation does not make the Christian unloving or unkind.  Separation makes a Christian obedient to the commands of Scripture, and keeps one pure for the Bridegroom.  Of course there are clear commands in Scripture.  The Bible forbids the use of alcohol, dealing with the occult, lust, immorality, gossip, overeating, and many other sins.  Not all commands are negative, there are many positive commands to follow such as:  honoring your parents, respecting authority, and dressing modestly to name a few.   

There are some areas of life that are not clearly commanded in Scripture.  However, God gives us principles to follow for such areas.  Here is a list of questions that one can ask to determine if an activity is right or wrong. 

1.      Have I committed every area of my life to Christ?  Proverbs 3:5-7

2.      Am I willing to sacrifice my desires for the will of God?  Luke 9:23-24

3.      Have I prayed for God’s guidance? James 1:5

4.      Can I thank God for this? Col. 3:17

5.      Will this cause a weaker brother to stumble? Romans 14:13-15; I Corinthians 8:9,13

6.      Will it violate the Lordship of Christ in my life? Romans 14:2-8

7.      Am I in doubt? Romans 14:23

8.      Would I want to be doing this when Jesus comes? I Corinthians 15:51,52

9.      Will this be spiritually profitable? I Corinthians 6:12

10.  Will it bring me into bondage? I Corinthians 6:12

11.  Will this build me up spiritually? I Corinthians 10:23; 14:26

12.  Will this slow me down in the race? Hebrews 12:1

13.  Will it hypocritically cover my sin? Galatians 5:13; I Peter 2:15,16

14.  Will it lead others to Christ or damage my testimony to the lost? I Corinthians 10:27-29; 15:34; I Thessalonians 5:22

15.  Will this be consistent with Christ-likeness? I John 2:6

16.  Will it glorify God? I Corinthians 10:31

If one would honestly evaluate each thought, action, and word that may be in doubt through the above list, there would be no more questioning.  Let us desire to be separate from the world and drawing close to God.

Pastor Jim Kohr