Dealing With Gray Areas
May 12, 2008 by PeregrinJoe
A few years ago, I was sitting in church and the preacher was all fired up. He was talking about personal holiness and how apparently all of us there that day were lacking in that area. He then referred to some movie that was out that happened to be rated-R. With a fist he pounded the podium and said; “I don’t see how anyone who calls themself a Christian could possibly go to a rated-R movie!”
I don’t remember a single word of that sermon besides that one statement. I think I remember it because it seemed so…personal. By “personal” I mean that it seemed like he was making his personal convictions universal and the only thing I could think of was; “Who in the heck do you think you are?”
Does it really mean I am not born again if I choose to go see a rated-R movie? If I am born again and I go see a rated-R movie, does that then mean that I am no longer a Christian? Where is all of this in Scripture?
The truth is, it isn’t in Scripture. No matter how much so many pastors would love to say that God says you can’t go see a rated-R movies, or smoke cigarettes, or chew tobacco, or listen to secualr music, or play cards, or play video games, or any of the other “sins” that have been added to the list over the years, the fact is that the Bible is silent on most of these issues and has quite a bit of gray area in many others.
For instance, should a Christian drink alcohol? What does the Bible say about it? A lot actually but nothing really conclusive:
- 1 Timothy 5:23 - Paul tells Timothy that he should drink wine to help with his stomach problems.
- Ephesians 5:18 - Paul tells us not to become drunk with wine because that is excess, but he certainly doesn’t say don’t drink it at all.
- Proverbs 20:1 - Solomon says that wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler and the person who is led astray by them is not wise.
But should we as Christians drink or not? personally, I like to drink a beer now and then or a glass of wine periodically, but I know others who are convinced that if you drink even a single drop of alcohol, you cannot possibly be a Christian. So which is it?
Yesterday in church, my pastor shared with us what I believe is one of the most balanced approaches to these moral “gray areas” that I have ever heard, and I wanted to share it with you. The principles below have as their foundation, the understanding that we are all saved in order to bring glory to God. Every day and in everything we do, we must seek to honor and glorify God. Remember Solus Christis–saved by grace alone, through Christ alone, for God’s glory alone.
Three Principles for Dealing with Moral Gray Areas:
1. Grace Over Legalism: Romans 6:14 - We should never universalize our own personal convictions. If I feel that it is wrong for me to watch a rated-R movie, then without a doubt it is sin for me to do so, but I do not have the right to tell you that you cannot watch a rated-R movie and call yourself a Christian because of my personal convictions.
2. Love Over Liberty: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - I must limit my own liberty out of love for others. My liberty in Christ NEVER gives me the right to harm someone else. For instance, when I am around friends who believe that it is wrong for Christians to drink, then I don’t drink, even though I personally don’t have a problem with it. I limit my own liberty in Christ in order not to offend my brother or sister in Christ.
3. Apply a Christ-Centered Filter: Philippians 4:8 - Before we allow any form of activity or entertainment into our life, let’s see if it passes the Philippians 4:8 test. We should ask ourselves; “Is this activity, movie, book, TV show, CD, or whatever: True, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy?” If it isn’t, then it isn’t for us as disciples of Christ. If it is, and it passes the first two principles, then we can engage in it with a clear conscience before God and man.
The truth is, when we apply these principles, a lot of gray areas, become very black and white don’t they?
The subject of drinking has been a very sensitive one with me since I was about 10, and discovered my dad was an alcaholic.
As the oldest child, I took this burdon on my shoulders personally, trying to shield my brothers, sister and mom from my dads erratic behavior.
Id lay awake, listening to my mom cry, and rubbing her hair, and praying.
Id make myself sick with worry.
I now understand that I was afraid to leave my mom home with my dad, and worried myself sick at school, until the nurse sent me home.
To say the least, the smell of alcahol gave me anxiety attacks well into my early 20s.
At some point, I found a balance. I realized that the erratic destructive behaviors of my dad, were very different from other peoples behavior after having something to drink.
Some people actually had a little flag that shot up and said, “youve had enough to drink”, and they didnt start throwing knives into the living room walls.
I enjoy coronas with lemon wedges in them. I like deep red wines.
My experience with alcahol is limited, but Dream girls Beergaritas were a hit at our super bowl party.
In my mind, its about moderation, and self control. My dad, who I love, and have forgiven, has a serious lack of self control.
I dont know? Is it gray? Or black and white?
I also cuss a bit, but only when other words really dont give the right emphasis.
Sometimes, you have to call “bullshi**” by its name.
It doesnt seem as vile if you just call it “poo”
Sarah: I think a lot of our experiences influence how we interpret gray areas. The Scriptures support and no one would argue that getting drunk and hurting the people you love is a sin and there is just no other way to see it. That type of experience may cause you to see all drinking of alcohol as a sin and if that is the place a person is in, then we must remember love over liberty and not drink.
I have had multiple people on both sides of my family who were alcoholics and caused major emotional, physical and property damage as a result and that is why my own experiences with alcohol are extremely limited like yours. I just don’t want to fall prey to the same sin.
I have a friend whose father was a slave to pornography. He would do vile and sinful things with other women and eventually abandoned my friend and his mother. When my friend found out I was a member of a certain video store that had a section of “adult videos” in a backroom (which I never went into of course), he asked me as his friend to cancel my membership there. It just disturbed him to think that I went to a video store that sold pronography even though I didn’t personally rent that filth. I cancelled my membership.
I also have to admit, I cuss every once in a while too. Although sometimes I will call something “poo” simply because it sounds so ridiculous it makes me laugh and not be so angry.
I wouldnt understand how destuctive alcaholism really is if I hadnt witnessed it first hand.
Thats where the balance fits in. Ive seen a complete lack of balance, and Ive also seen people that I both admire and respect, drink in moderation and not cause any physical or emotional pain to the people around them.
ANother funny word: “Dill Hole”
I dont know what it means, but it reminds me of pickles, which reminds me of veggie tales, and how Larry has to remind every one hes not a pickle, hes a cucumber.
Excellent points from both you and Sarah. As you know, your maternal grandfather drank himself to death. For that reason alone, I choose not to drink at all. I used to believe that I could have a glass of white wine with a nice dinner, which I really enjoy. Over the years, I’ve realized that my concern over losing control and ending up like my Dad is just not worth it. Therefore, I no longer even consider consuming alcohol as an option for me. I do not, however, condemn other people who do choose to partake.
Your 3 principles are excellent! I like black and white!!
Well, the main thing the Bible says about drinking is that it’s not a sin to drink alcohol, it’s a sin to get drunk. I’ve experienced alcoholism through my mother and my grandfather and a number of my family members have had problems with it in the past. When you become intoxicated to the point where you cannot control your motor skills, you don’t know what you’re saying, etc., then it becomes a sin and I don’t believe that this is restricted to just alcohol. So, not only should people not judge those who choose to drink, but neither should we judge people who use certain drugs recreationally.
I believe it applies to anything that can alter your state of mind, including drugs. If you take something and you “lose yourself” in it, it is sinful to do that thing. I don’t think you can take what the scriptures say about partaking of alcohol and not apply it to other things you can take into your body.
Mom: Thanks for the comment. I think we are certainly influenced by our upbringing and culture in our decisions regarding these things.
I Love Lubbock: Thanks for the comment. I find your statement about drugs interesting. I have always viewed illegal drugs (for lack of a better term) as sorcery, which is expressly forbidden in Scripture because of the way they alter your mind. I realize that alcohol is also a drug (as is caffeine for that matter) but they do not alter the mind like other drugs do. Your statement certainly provokes one to further study on the issue.
i like this outline - i’ve known pastors who struggle with whether or not preach on this issue, and i think this would be a good way to go.
for what it’s worth, i’ve seen the “good, noble, true” guide used as a rule to reject R rated movies. the best response to that i’ve heard points out the Bible is good, noble and true, but there’s an awful lot of darkness in it. and that always gets me thinking in terms of what makes a good story (of which the Bible is full): that it reveals what it means to be human and says something about who God is. that often times includes sin and darkness as well as redemption and light.
blessings.
Carmen: Thanks for the comment. You make an excellent point and I agree with you. The Bible does not shrink away from depicting the ugliness of life at all. I think we should apply similar thinking to films:
1. Is it necessary for the point of the story? You never read about violence or sex, or any sin in the Bible that is not necessary to communicate the truth and ultimately bring us back to the reality that sin destroys lives and seperates us from the Father.
2. What does it glorify? In the Bible, sin is NEVER glorified, only God is. The problem with so many films today is that the sin is glorified. We make gratuitous sex funny and “normal.” We make the ultra-violent “heroes.” That is where we get into trouble I think.
This sounds like another post!
Thanks again.
have you seen barbara nicolosi’s blog, church of the masses? she’s a screenwriter/author and talks about questions like these often. you’d probably like it
the central problem i find myself facing when it comes to films and television is not so much whether or not there are elements in it that are questionable (morality and values differ so much that there will almost always be at least a few elements like that) but HOW much of it is there. and does the theme/point/messsage/truth of the story outweigh those elements. heh, then there are some films i can’t watch at all — particularly films that have graphic violence, those that aren’t gratuitous, but realistic. still it’s too much for me. that’s just one element that i can’t stand back from; i walk out of films like an emotional wreck. and it’s caused me to miss some incredible films (like Saving Private Ryan, which i still haven’t seen). oh well.
Carmen: I have not seen that blog yet, but I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the tip.
I am totally familiar with your struggle with TV and films. I always ask myself, “Where does a Christian draw the line?” At what point do the things depicted on the screen become “sinful” for me to watch?
For instance, the movie Training Day was a difficult movie for me to watch because of the vileness of the main character played by Denzel Washington. If you’ve ever seen the film, then you know it was pretty graphic. The thing I LIKED about the film is that it is ultimately about judgment. A wicked man comes to a very just end. It shows, very vividly, that sin leads to death. The question of course is shoudl I expose my mind the graphic depiction of sin in order to ultimately see that conclusion?
Several times each year for years now, I go through this kind of internal debate. My heart’s desire is to honor God of course, how do I do that in this situation? I wish I had a nice, clear-cut answer, but I just don’t.
interestingly, i don’t think there is a cut and dry answer. i think the answer changes and shifts over time and even individual situations. at least it does for me. which is why sermons like the one your pastor gave (and your blog post about it) are so important. it takes us away from legalism and invites us to constantly bring our decisions, motives and lives into the Light for examination. it’s definately a messier way to live, but it is the better way because in the end it teaches us to relate to, live out of and trust God instead of a set of rules. which is what he wants from us. and that changes us.
Carmen: AMEN!
ALot of feedback on this one.
Good Work! Very thought Provoking.
I also wonder about ilovelubbocks meaning…
For instance, Marijuana is used in some places as treatment/pain relief for cancer….
Does God think this is more of a sin than morphine?
Where do we cross the line? Should we live in pain?
Gray Gray Gray
Sarah: Excellent point. I have heard (but have no source to back it up) that morphine is non-addictive if the person is actually in pain. It only becomes addictive when the person continues to use it after the pain is gone.
However, your point is well taken and so very true. It is so much easier to just say everything is either yes or no, black or white, and there are some things in Scripture that are very clear that way. The problem is that there are so many that just aren’t.