Test Your Amusements

                                                                                                                                             Vol. XXIV, No. 3, March 2011

Christians, like everyone else, need times of fun, pleasure, amusement. Jesus was human. He enjoyed times of relaxation – dinner parties, et al. The danger for Christians is that we may let pleasures, fun, amusements become dominant in our lives, or else, that we may permit something of that sort to damage our witness. The Bible, through Paul’s wisdom, provides us with excellent principles by which we can be guided when we are choosing those things that entertain. There are four questions one should ask, and the Scripture has an answer for each of them.

First, Does the pleasure in question tend to enslave – to take too much of one’s time, or become too dominant in one’s thinking? “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.” (I Cor. 6:12)

Second, Does it help in building up my body, my mind, my heart? Is it just a time killer, or merely a fun provider, or does it actually have any value? “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” (I Cor. 10:23)

Third, Could it in any way cause others to stumble? Is there anything about it that would raise questions for others? “It is good not to eat meat, or to drink wine, or to do anything by which a brother stumbles. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” (Rom. 14:21-22)

Fourth, Can it be engaged in to the glory of God? Or is there anything about it that would dim the glory of God in my life? “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (Rom. 10:31)

[Reprinted from the October 2010 issue of The Watchman. Subscriptions are free though donations are needed. Owens Ministries, Inc.; P.O. Box 2066; Gastonia, NC 28053.]