Thursday, May 15, 2008

"I Can't See Any Harm In It"


Sometimes, we cannot see the harm in something simply because we have not bothered to actually look for it. Consider these guidelines when determining whether an action is right or wrong:

  1. The Personal Test: will doing this make me a better or worse Christian?
  2. The Social Test: will doing it influence others to be better or worse Christians?
  3. The Practical Test: will the results of my doing it be desirable?
  4. The Universal Test: if everyone should do this, would it enhance or degrade society?
  5. The Scriptural Test: does the Bible endorse it or is it forbidden -- even implied as wrong -- by the word of God?
  6. The Stewardship Test: will my doing this constitute a waste of talent God gave me?
  7. The Character Test: what will be the influence of my moral & spiritual stamina?
  8. The Family Test: will it bring discredit & dishonor to my family, and will it embarrass them?
  9. The Publicity Test: would I be willing for friends, fellow Christians, the elders, and the preacher to know about it?
  10. The Common Sense Test: does it agree with plain, everyday, ordinary common sense?
  11. The Fairness Test: is it honest, and it is practicing the "Golden Rule"?
  12. The Problem Test: is it potentially harmful to me and / or others?

No matter what "it" may be, if "it' fails even one of these tests, we ought to be wise enough to see the harm therein. On such a case, abstinence is the only policy.

Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV


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