The Modern Technology Information age-another definition of sin

   I get between 200 and 300 emails a day from sources that I have never, ever contacted. If you do any on-line transactions, they can get your address. There is no way to prevent it. Some transaction contacts even sell address lists. No more than one or two out of several hundred or more are of legitimate interest to me in these that my server has filtered out and placed in junk mail. What is interesting is the nature of the emails as advertisements, and as scams, porn and just crude attempts to sell their questionable wares. Some come in foreign languages, some are foreign-born based on crude and outlandish spelling errors and the lottery and Nigerian fraud attempts have become bold and unrelenting.
    I received a clever scam in the junk mail file today. This “woman” says that all such are frauds, and that she solved the problem by going to Nigeria and receiving her prize in person. I can do the same and receiving my “money” just by contacting her with required info. Now that is a lot of gall.
    The porn is rude, crude and socially objectionable. The use of the English language in many is rude, crude and would be poor for a first grader. But when they use a foreign language and transmit by email to my address without the proper font it comes out as large squares, asterisks, ampersands, and other notations that leave you speechless…literally.
    What does it all mean? In Christian circles, this output from the world-system is simply categorized as:
            SIN

From John MacArthur in Pulpit Magazine

Honoring God in Gray Areas
Posted: 08 Jul 2008 07:04 PM CDT
(By John MacArthur)
If the issue you are wondering about is not specifically addressed in the Bible, then it’s helpful to ask these questions from 1 Corinthians to help you in deciding what to do. Asking these questions (and others like them) will help you make a wise decision based on sound biblical principles.
1. Will it benefit me spiritually? First Corinthians 10:23 says, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”
2. Will it put me in bondage? First Corinthians 6:12 says, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Any questionable practice that can be habit‑forming is not wise to pursue.
3. Will it defile God’s temple? First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” We should not do anything with our bodies that would dishonor the Lord.
4. Will it cause others to stumble? First Corinthians 8:8‑9 says, “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.” One should refrain from using his freedom in an area which might cause others to sin. For “by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore,” Paul said, “if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.”
5. Will it help the cause of evangelism? First Corinthians 10:32-33 says, “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.” We must think of the effect any practice might have on our testimony to the lost.
6. Will it violate my conscience? First Corinthians 10:25‑29 contains three references to abstaining from a certain practice “for conscience’ sake.” And Romans 14:23 says, “He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” If we are not sure whether an action is pleasing to God, we should not do it. That way our conscience will remain clear and our relationship to God will not be hindered.
7. Will it bring glory to God? First Corinthians 10:31 summarizes all these principles by saying, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Knowing the Will of God - Part 2

The bible has a peculiar and special place in the lives of all Christian believers. One of these is its place for individual and personal decision-making. The role of the scriptures in this regard speaks to us with the necessity of understanding the difference between the bible speaking directly and indirectly. In dealing with His chosen people, God gave a conditional promise that "If you...(will do these things)....I will heal you". Their decision was based upon whether or not they believed Him. It is the same today. Romans 3 teaches that our decisions may be made on the basis of what He has said, or they made be made on the basis of pride, which leads to defense of self. The latter can lead to pure misery.

Consider these three propositions about Biblical Guidance:

There is no way to know God's will and receive His guidance apart from the scriptures. There are NO prophets today.
There are scriptural principles and practices to cover all areas of life. This contradicts in many cases those who proclaim that the Bible is silent in many areas. We seek principles applicable to all decision-making.
The Scriptures speak directly and indirectly by implication. They help us make either/or (yes/no) choices or they give us a limited number of equally legitimate choices. This is so important to understanding and applying the principles of life.

Also, consider these steps for good decision making:

Gather all the facts - list pros and cons. You will have to work at this. Godly decision-making can be hard, hard work. No counselor ever proclaimed that every decision was easy.
Search out all the principles, examples, etc. of Scripture that you can find which have a bearing on the decision. Seek the counsel of a qualified Biblical counselor or pastor. The context and and also specific instructions are important.
Apply these to the pros and cons and the various options.

Like Jeroboam, you may find it is necessary to seek godly counsel to supplement the wisdom that the Holy Spirit brings to you by means of prayer. Man is not omniscient.
If narrowed down to two equally good decisions based on biblical principles, you may decide on the basis of preference. Self is involved, but not before seeking and searching the Scriptures. If I am searching for a job, and find two that meets my objectives on the pro side of things, it is not a sin to have personal preferences
If the question of possible sin does arrive, the Biblical principle of "the holding principle" should be used....see below.

Most believers in decision-making can arrive at the place of "equally legitimate choices". Then, you may say, "I just cannot decide". Here are two points to help one in decision-making:

Some principles will help you narrow options more than others. Principles are given that relate to effects on family, the future, continuing service to the Lord, etc.
There may be more than one biblically legitimate option.

An illustration of biblically based principles can be found in getting married:

Take a biblical look at the single life. The Bible proclaims the advantages of being single. Do this first.
Define biblical standards for marriage partner. Is he/she a believer? Are they walking with the Lord? If not, waiting is a good principle. My silly pastor states emphatically that blonds are a personal preference!
Evaluate the person's sensitivity to biblical authority and influence. Are conflicts common?
Look for evidence of spiritual growth, obedience to God's Word. Is there evidence of oft complaining or giving of thanks?
Look for principles of solving problems biblically.
If more than one option remains, than choosing by preference is not sinning.

Do not misunderstand God's Will by ignoring the Scriptures. Experience, emotion, catastrophes and undue influence of others can lead you astray. These three points should be considered:

The Holy Spirit does lead the believer in decision-making by means of prayer and in response to those who are in submission to Him. God's leading in Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:18 are examples. Other example are the Philippian's response to trials in 4:15, and Paul's response when warned of the dangers of going to Jerusalem.
The peace that passes all understanding of Colossians 3:15 as it rules in the heart is a faith principle that applies only to believers. Corporate prayer and the fellowship of the saints is a great encouragement.
Sometimes, usually rarely, circumstances (a fleece) can bring you to a point of decision...but NOT apart from the bible. For the most part, we consider circumstances to be unreliable.

Last, but not least, there is the HOLDING PRINCIPLE.

This is the article and sustainer by FAITH. Romans 14:23 certainly indicates that we must "be convinced in our own mind". This conviction comes in the heart, based on the Word of God, and is entirely of faith. That which is not of faith is sin.

Knowing the Will of God - Part 1

Biblical counselors tell me that the list of excuses for not using the Bible in Decision-Making is long and convoluted:

The bible has nothing to say about specific or general everyday decisions that I have to make
I don’t need the bible, I have my experience to guide me
After all, there are additional revelations that are available in the form of visions, dreams, feelings, circumstances, fleeces, and so on ad infinitum
My psychologist said that I must become aware of my inner self
All my friends give me advice, and I am selective
I have several books on the subject
I listen to my wife/husband/parent/pastor/guidance counselor etc.

Although there may be some truth in one or more of these excuses, they do not contain the whole truth in general, or provide the principles that are needed for godly living in the perfect and holy plans of our God. The Bible tells us that all are wrong in the following ways:

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Pet. 1)

15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3)

If the Bible appears to be silent on some issues, look again. There are 31,173 verses in the Old and New Testaments that presents God’s Word in terms of specific commandments, general commandments, and specific and general principles for ALL things pertaining to life and godliness. More on this in Part 2.

We recognize that different aspects of God’s Will do affect different people in different ways. The old puritans and Calvinists wrote copiously on the will of God with different names for various understandings of the different aspects. There are the decrees of God before the foundations of the world were laid. There is His permissive will applicable to our lives today and so on. Different people give different names to these. John Piper in his Desiring God - God centered resources from the ministry of John Piper included a penetrating article entitled "Are there two wills in God" with respect to divine election and God's desire that none should perish. Following the Reformation, the discussions on the will of God passed between Calvinists to Arminians to Amyraldians and back again on the order and significance of the eternal decrees. A bit of church history research will bring you up to date on their thinking, but not here and not now. This is never taught or even mentioned in modern pulpits.

This brief outline from my pastor will help on a few elements:

The DIRECTIVE Will of God
1. His Moral will
2. That which He has already revealed to us (example: abstain from sexual immorality, etc.)
3. Commandments that can only be found in the Bible
4. Instructions of what He wants us to do

The DECREED Will of God
1. His Sovereign will
2. His ultimate, eternal, determined will (example: Luke 22:31,32)..."what ifs" are NOT profitable
3. Can only be determined by man after the fact, can not be known in advance. Only God is omniscient. We have everything we need from the scriptures for life and godliness.

The implications to this subject of the eternal decrees and His decreed will are astounding. Man has the desire to want to know in advance in order to avoid trial and tribulation. Yet, the believer is promised by the Lord to have trials and tribulations. The author of Hebrews tells us that such trial is the discipline of the Lord to bring us to repentance, that we might be conformed to the image of His son. But we want to know in advance anyway. This turns the tables on the holy One of Israel. It makes Him responsible, not us! It would also take the pressure of living in the midst of trial off of us. Let's face it. We are lazy!

How Can I Know the Will of God?

This is a mystery, even to most Christian believers. There are so many, many books, publications and ideas in the world today on this subject that one cannot begin to list them. The outreach of emotions in the charismatic movement has seemingly dominated their views in discussing the will of God. “The Lord spoke to me”, and they proceed from therein. Pat Boone’s daughter, Debbie, recorded a song that reveals much when she sang, “If it feels so good it must be right”. Most seminars reflect this approach.

I was sitting in the vestibule of my church when a friend came up and said of his son, “He had a dream last night of the Lord. It was surely a vision”. Others speak of circumstantial evidence and world events as though there is a huge conspiracy aimed especially at them to prevent them from doing God’s will.

Many years ago, BIOLA sponsored the annual Torrey Memorial Bible Conferences, which were held in the beginning in local like-minded churches in Southern California. At one of the meetings in my local church a Professor James of Kansas City Bible College spoke on doing the will of God. He recounted the story of one of his students coming to him saying, “Dr. James, if God would just reveal His will to me, I would do it”! James’ response was illuminating: “That student had the cart before the horse”.

Also, several years ago (about 1990), Henry Blackaby and Claude King came out with their teaching guide and workbook on Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God. It made an impact, especially in Southern Baptist circles. There were many good things in it. Having taught through it, I found there was, typically, excessive references to experience in particular, and emotion in general.

Comments from the Gateway Biblical Counseling Center (a link is provided in the sidebar for their website) indicates that Biblical Counselors face major problems in almost all their work in dealing with the trials and tribulations that believers face. The Biblical record of what God has and is still saying about living is ignored. Biblical statements not only include the instructions and commandments of our God, but both specific and general principles that are applicable to all of life, and in knowing and doing the will of God.

This is how you can know the will of God: in the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Seek the Scriptures, young man, seek the Scriptures”.

In following posts, I will briefly outline suggestions from one of my pastors in two parts. In Part One we will outline typical excuses for not using the Bible as the basic guide, and note different aspects of God’s will. In Part Two, we will outline briefly the place of the Bible in decision-making, and comment on the “Holding Principle”. In part, this outline has been sponsored by Faith Baptist Church of Lafayette, IN and can be accessed by registering at their website at Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries through your browser, or by going to www.fbcmlafayette.org.