November 4, 2013

What are Disputable Matters?

Romans 14:1 says, "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters." NIV 

If the Bible neither condones nor condemns a certain activity, it falls under the category of a disputable matter. Here are several examples of disputable matters: drinking alcohol in moderation, smoking a cigarette, watching an R rated movie, listening to secular music, going to a beach where there's mixed bathing, playing cards, getting a tattoo, getting a piercing, buying a lottery ticket or participating in Halloween. 

If the Bible specifically condemns a certain attitude or action, there's nothing to dispute - it's wrong. Here are several examples of activities considered universally wrong: murder, adultery, stealing, lying, coveting, gossip, pride, sorcery and drunkenness. 

Concerning disputable matters, a Christian may or may not feel at liberty to participate, depending on his/her personal convictions (which may change over time). But a Christian should never feel at liberty to participate in something the Bible expressly condemns as sinful. 

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