Should I play video games?
Can I wear this piece of clothing?
Should I eat fast food?
Is wearing make-up wrong?
Should I take my kids trick-or-treating?
All of these questions have to do with Christian liberty (for a great definition of Christian Liberty, see A.W. Pink’s, Christian Liberty). So, how do you attempt to make decisions on such grey areas?
I recently heard Andy Naselli give an incredible lecture on the conscience at a TGC Indianapolisevent. At the end of the lecture, he participated in a Q&A where he referred to a chart that Vaughn Roberts created for making decisions on Christian liberty issues. The chart (given below) lists five questions to ask yourself in sequential order:
- Does the Bible allow it? (If no, don’t do it. If yes, ask question #2)
- Does my conscience allow it? (If no, don’t do it. If yes, ask questions #3-5)
- What is the effect on other Christians? (Love is more important than knowledge)
- What is the effect on non-Christians? (The gospel is more important than rights)
- What is the effect on my spiritual life? (Spiritual health is more important than freedom)
For more resources on Christian liberty, see the following:
- Four Principles for the Exercise of Christian Liberty, Sinclair Ferguson
- Was it Always Idolatrous for Corinthian Christians to Eat in an Idol’s Temple?, Andy Naselli
- I will not be Enslaved by Anything, John Piper