Grace and peace, saints.

Yesterday, I picked my boy up from school, and, as usual, asked him how his day went and what he did.  He told me that during art period, he was asked to draw a picture featuring a six-pointed star.  Now, my son knows that the six-pointed star is an occult symbol, so he told his teacher that he didn’t want to draw it.  She responded that she needed to see how well he could design with a ruler and pencil.  So, he said, he went ahead and drew the star, but not before praying silently to God and asking Him to forgive what he was about to do.

Saints, this is proof that the spiritual instruction we give our children is not in vain.  On at least one occasion, I have taught my children that though we are to make it clear to the world that there are things that we, as Christians, will not do, we should not refuse to take part in an activity if our refusal would cause disunion, disruption, disharmony or, worse, the loss of our job.  This holds true even though a particular activity may be inconsistent with our faith.  I know what you’re thinking, but please, hear me out before you dismiss this teaching.

There is biblical precedent for what I say.  You may recall that in the Second Book of the Kings, Naaman, the Syrian general, was healed of leprosy by Elisha the prophet.  Naaman was grateful to God for healing him, and, from that moment on, resolved never to worship any other god but the Lord God of Israel (2 Kings 5:17b). 

But Naaman was a man of many responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities was to accompany the king into the house of his idol to worship.  Now Naaman was an honorable man, and he had already promised that he would no longer worship any other God than the Lord.  However, being a practical man and loyal to his king, Naaman did not shirk his responsibility.  Though this may have created a temporary dilemma for Naaman, he solved it quickly.  Naaman asked God to forgive him for fulfilling this particular obligation:

“In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing” (2 Kings 5:18).

Naaman understood that though he had a moral obligation to God, he also had a practical obligation to his boss, the king.  We should apply this object lesson in practicality to our own lives.  It is not always prudent to refuse to do something because it is inconsistent with our faith.  Having said that, we should refuse to do anything that clearly conflicts with the will of God.  Mishak, Shadrack, and Abednego were justified in refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, because God has commanded us not to commit idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5).  

I have a personal testimony of the same.  A few months ago, one of my daughters had an art project that consisted of making an astrological chart with the signs of the zodiac and their respective personality traits.  God expressly forbids astrology in Deuteronomy 18:11 (an “observer of times” is an astrologer).  Astrology is witchcraft; so when I saw my daughter working on the astrological chart, I told her that she would by no means complete it.  I then talked to her art teacher and explained that astrology is inconsistent with my family’s Christian faith and therefore, my daughter could not complete the project.  Her teacher was very understanding, and agreed to allow my daughter to do another project. 

Even though my daughter would not be practicing astrology by completing the project, she had only a rudimentary knowledge of astrology; so she would have to research the various astrological signs and their meanings.  The Bible says that we should be wise concerning good and ignorant concerning evil.  Astrology is evil, so, in researching astrology, my daughter was becoming wise concerning evil.  As a Christian parent, I am responsible for my daughter’s spiritual well being.  So my actions were justified.  

My personal testimony and that of Meshak, Shadrack and Abednego differ with that of Naaman, in that Naaman wasn’t being asked to commit idolatry or to break some other commandment of God.  He only had to accompany the king into the house of his idol.  Though Naaman understood he had a moral obligation to serve only God, he also knew that he should not refuse to perform his official duties on religious grounds.  To resolve the conflict, therefore, and to appease his conscience, Naaman begged God’s pardon and fulfilled his obligations.

And that’s the key.  It is our conscience that condemns us.  So, when we are compelled to do something that is inconsistent with our faith—either out of necessity or circumstance—we should ensure that our conscience does not condemn us.  And the only way we can do that is to have a firm grasp on what is sin and what is not. 

Paul gives two very good examples of this in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, both of which have to do with eating meat.  In Romans, Paul says that Christians who are vegetarians are weak in the faith, not understanding that all things are lawful to eat (14:1-2).  However, he says that to keep from destroying the faith of such a person, we should not eat meat in front of him.  Likewise, he says in 1 Corinthians 8:10 that we should not eat meat offered to idols in front of one coming out of idolatry because it may embolden him to eat it also against his conscience.  Whatever we do, we ought to do it with a clear conscience, because “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). 

The key, therefore, to what we can and cannot do is in knowing the will of God.  If it is not a violation of God’s commandments, or a clear heresy or abomination in the sight of God, it’s a judgment call.  And we should always use good judgment.  If the thing that we are compelled to do does not conflict with God’s will, we should not worry that God will condemn us or be displeased.  God is practical.  He knows that though we are not of this world, we still must live in this world.  And there are certain things that we just have to do to keep the peace, to keep order and discipline, and to keep our jobs.  The key is to use judgment and discernment.

That’s why I was so proud of my son for what he did.  He tried not to do something he didn’t feel was right.  But when his teacher insisted, he agreed to do it, rather than make a fuss about it.  He just made sure he asked God’s forgiveness beforehand.  

And that’s what we have to do.  We ought to avoid sin and do that which is right in God’s sight.  But we must also remember that though we have one foot in heaven, the other foot is planted firmly on terra firma.  Remember, God has called us to peace.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth within you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

Be encouraged and look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Still Man