“Knowing When & Knowing When Not To…”

Testing A Doubtful Practice

Part 2

Three Major Questions

1. What is the effect it has on me?

2. What is the effect it has on others?

3. What is the effect it has on the cause of Christ?

Part 2- The effect it has on others

1. Will it cause me to be a “stumbling block,” or a hindrance to another person?

Romans 14:12-14 (NASB) So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Romans 14:20-22a (NLT) Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. …

2. Does this thing I do, or want to do, have the appearance of evil?

1 Corinthians 8:10-12 (GW) For example, suppose someone with a weak conscience sees you, who have this knowledge, eating in the temple of a false god. Won't you be encouraging that person to eat food offered to a false god? 11 In that case, your knowledge is ruining a believer whose faith is weak, a believer for whom Christ died. 12 When you sin against other believers in this way and harm their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ.

1 Timothy 4:11-12 (HCSB) Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

3. Am I willing for my spouse, friends, family, and pastors to know all about it?

2 Samuel 12:1a, 7-9a (HCSB) So the LORD sent Nathan to David. … 7

Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD God … says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, your master’s wives … I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. 9

Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing what I consider evil? …

4. Will my testimony still be effective?

Philippians 2:13-15 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

5. Ask yourself, “Would Jesus do it?”

John 13:15 (ESV) For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.