2. Making the Hard Decisions Easier

3. The Bible gives some lists of sins: So we know these things are wrong
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB)
However, even in this lists of sins, you have to define words and apply them properly

4. Some things are easily determined to be right or wrong
Are they really that easy?
Lying
Cheating
Stealing
Murder
Adultery
Reading Bible
Prayer
Sharing Christ
Giving to the needy
Singing
What if you want to read your Bible but someone needs to be taught the gospel?

5. Many things are not inherently sinful – yet they may not be the right thing or the best thing to do
Which university should I choose?
Should I take this job offer?
Am I eating too much?
Should I take part in this event or hobby?
Should I watch this movie?
What should I wear? What is modest?
How do we make decisions about such things?

6. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions
Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?

7. Is it EXPEDIENT for my spiritual benefit? Is it profitable?
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB)

8. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions
Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?
Does it Enslave me?

9. (2) Does it Enslave me? Do I allow it to become my master?
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB)
We should never let something that is not immoral, not sinful, become our master

10. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions
Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?
Does it Enslave me?
Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down?

11. (3) Does it Edify me? Does it build me up or make me a better person?
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB)
Will it make me stronger?
Will it cultivate self-control?
Will it make me more fruitful?
Will it move me to be more like Jesus?
Will it move me toward spiritual maturity?

12. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions
Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?
Does it Enslave me?
Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down?
Does it Edify others?

13. (4) Does it Edify others? My choices do affect others!
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NASB)

14. The Weak need to grow in Knowledge, the Strong need to grow in love
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:1-6 NASB)
The Weak need to grow in Knowledge, the Strong need to grow in love

15. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:7-13 NASB)
Don’t be slave to a law system (Galatians), but serve your brother, not the flesh (5:13)

16. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:7-13 NASB)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NASB)
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13 NASB)
Don’t be slave to a law system (Galatians), but serve your brother, not the flesh (5:13)

17. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? (1 Corinthians 10:14-22 NASB)

18. Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. If one of the unbelievers invites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience' sake. But if anyone should say to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:25-33 NASB)

19. (4) Does it Edify others? My choices do affect others!
Christians learn to forego liberties for the good of others
Selfishness demands rights, love serves others

20. If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:1-5 NASB)

21. (4) Does it Edify others? Questions to ask?
Is it beneficial, useful, constructive, edifying, and mature? (1 Cor 10:23)
Does it seek the welfare of others? (v 24)
Does it violate our conscience? (25-26)
Is it courteous and kind – do we imitate Jesus in being a friend of sinners? (27)
Does it identify us with Demons or as a worldly person? (16-18)
Does it hurt the conscience of another person? (Rom 14:13)

22. Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. (Romans 14:1-6 NASB)

23. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Who are the weak in faith
Those who have an inadequate grasp of their freedom in Christ
Not fully enlightened, their weakness was a problem of understanding – not a lack of commitment
Unable to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials
Either due to being a babe, or a lack of understanding, he was not able to enjoy full freedom in Christ

24. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Who are the weak in faith
Those who have an inadequate grasp of their freedom in Christ
Not fully enlightened, their weakness was a problem of understanding – not a lack of commitment
Unable to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials
Either due to being a babe, or a lack of understanding, he was not able to enjoy full freedom in Christ
In reality, we can all be weak in faith in some point. We can conclude certain things are wrong when they are not.

25. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Who are the strong?
This person correctly understands his freedom to participate
The strong are able to distinguish between the essential and the non-essential

26. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Dangers of the strong!
To treat with “contempt” those who do not eat and those who feel bound to keep special days
To ridicule, treat with distain, laughing at their scruples, especially when the strong are in the majority.

27. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. (Romans 14:3 NIV)
Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. (Romans 14:3 NASB)
Let not him who takes food have a low opinion of him who does not: and let not him who does not take food be a judge of him who does; for he has God's approval. (Romans 14:3 BBE)
Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat; and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him. (Romans 14:3 MKJV)

28. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. (Romans 14:3 NIV)
Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. (Romans 14:3 NASB)
Let not him who takes food have a low opinion of him who does not: and let not him who does not take food be a judge of him who does; for he has God's approval. (Romans 14:3 BBE)
Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat; and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him. (Romans 14:3 MKJV)
The strong can bring pressure on the weak to conform to the majority before their conscience is convinced it is right!

29. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Dangers of the weak!
The weak with a frown tend to condemn the freedom of his brother as license
They judge their brother as guilty of sin, loose, liberal
Their opinion and judgment causes them to divide from others
If the weak bind their restriction on others – they can become a false teacher.
HOW!!!!!!!!

30. Circumcision
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6 NASB)
And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. (Acts 15:1-2 NASB)
But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." (Acts 15:5 NASB)

31. Circumcision
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6 NASB)
Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. (Galatians 2:1-5 NASB)

32. Circumcision
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6 NASB)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:1-4 NASB)

33. Keeping Days
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5 NASB)
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. (Galatians 4:8-11 NASB)

34. Keeping Days
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5 NASB)
Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17 NASB)

35. Keeping Days
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5 NASB)
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) --in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (Colossians 2:20-23 NASB)

36. Eating Meat
He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. (Romans 14:6 NASB)
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5 NASB)

37. (4) Does it Edify others? Who are the weak and strong?
Dangers of the weak!
The weak with a frown tend to condemn the freedom of his brother as license
They judge their brother as guilty of sin, loose, liberal
Their scruple causes them to divide from others
If the weak bind their restriction on others – they can become a false teacher.

38. What do we learn from Jesus and the Pharisees on this subject?
Next Week