Gray Areas

Is stealing a CD from the music store a crime? Most of us would say yes, no question about it. But what about downloading “free” music online? Is talking to an ex on Facebook wrong if you’re married? Should Christians watch violent movies? Many believe there are plenty of “gray areas” that are not covered in the Bible. So how do we apply ancient teaching to today’s high-tech modern era?

It was Jesus himself who, when asked which was the greatest commandment of the Law*, replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” He clarified that this is the basis for all the Law, saying, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40)

Hmm. Well, that makes it easier for us to apply God’s Will to our daily lives. If we look at our actions in the context of, “Does this behavior demonstrate a love for God? Does it show love for others?” Some of those “gray areas” become more black and white. Using the previously mentioned examples:

• One may argue that downloading music is no big deal, that no one is getting hurt. However, you’d pretty much have to be living under a rock not to know that it is considered illegal—no matter how easy it is to do, or how unlikely you are to be arrested for it. Does it please God for you to break the law of the land?

• When talking to an ex on Facebook, is the conversation Godly, in the sense that it is open and nonthreatening? If the tables were turned and your spouse was having the same conversation, would you be okay with the content of the transcript? If not, you may not be loving your spouse as you love yourself.

• Murderous movies with graphic representation of body parts blown off and blood everywhere glorifies violence. Is this something that pleases God?

Deciding whether or not to do these things is making a conscious choice to sin or not to sin. But we should not try to absolve ourselves of the consequences of our choice by claiming they are “gray areas.” As a general rule of thumb, if you have to ask if it’s a sin…it just might be.

When we live in the light of the Son, there are no gray areas.

* A note about the Law: In Exodus 20, the original rules and regulations of living were given to God’s chosen people, the Israelites. These Ten Commandments outlined the way in which they should live. The book of Leviticus expands on those ten commandments and offers even more detailed instructions. But it was difficult for God’s people to live under the Law. The millions of doves, goats, bulls, and other animals that were sacrificed in atonement for their sins (their inability to follow the Law) could hardly suffice. So God offered the ultimate sacrifice. He sent his Son, Jesus, to live a life without sin and to be killed for our sins. Jesus paid the price of our sin (the cost is death). The power of His resurrection is that we were all saved from the penalty of death through Jesus.