What Question Should a Christian Ask Before Saying or Doing Something?

 Click Here to Listen to or Read the One Year Bible Lessons for Tuesday, August 16th

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

Though the context of these verses relate to the issue of eating meat which had been offered to idols in the marketplace, this principle applies to all of the decisions we make in life, either big or small.  Since the requirements of the Law had been satisfied on the cross by Jesus, we are set free from the law.  As we use the freedom we have been given in Christ we need to always be asking this question, "Is what I am about to do going to give glory to God?"  

If our decisions give glory to God they will also encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Guzik says this about this principle, 

"The purpose of our lives isn’t to see how much we can get away with and still be Christians; rather, it is to glorify God. If the Corinthian Christian would have kept this principle in mind from the beginning in this issue, how much easier it would have made everything!"

The other motive underlying how we use our free will to make decisions, is will our actions help lead an unbeliever to saving faith in Christ.  If the use of our freedom may push an unbeliever further from Christ, we should give up this right willingly for the sake of the other. 

If we can sincerely ask, "Is what I am about to do going to give glory to God?" before we make decisions in our daily lives, we will lead a life worthy of our calling. If our heart is to give glory to God in all we say and do, we can't really make a bad decision.  Living according to this principle actually makes our lives, because whatever gives God glory will also bless us!    



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