Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Does it appear evil?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 10, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on whether it appears evil? The short answer?  Rebelling against God or even flirting with evil has never ended well from the beginning of humanity.

In the Old Testament, the young King Manasseh of Judah got heavily involved in witchcraft.

 “He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger” (2 Chronicles 33:6).

It was only after God allowed him to be taken into captivity by Assyria that he had time to re-consider his ways. God forgave him and restored his kingdom.

Another case: King Saul disobeyed God, and so God rejected him as king and would not answer his prayer when Saul asked God’s advice during a time of war. So, Saul asked a medium (witch) to bring up the spirit of the prophet Samuel for advice. Samuel appeared but refused to help.  If he had helped, this would have been an act of rebellion, and would have put Samuel in the place of God which was something Samuel was unwilling to do. Just a few chapters earlier, Samuel compared rebellion to the sin of divination (witchcraft), and arrogance to idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23-24).

The wisest man who ever lived was Solomon. If there is anyone whose vast experiences gives credibility on the topic of good versus evil, wisdom versus folly, it is him.

“11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. (Proverbs 4:11-15).

In Leviticus 19:26-33, God gave Moses laws to pass along to the Israelites, that included a warning against seeking out spiritists or mediums.

In so-called Bible times, much like today, there were false teachers and false prophets who claimed to teach the will of God. The early Christians had evidently been deceived by them, and as a result tended to just ignore all prophecies.

In the book of Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told Christians to not just throw out all prophecies but to “test them all and hold on to what is good.” They were able to “test” by comparing anyone’s teachings to the teachings of God’s word including the teachings of Christ supported by the countless miracles He performed so that people would believe His message.  Those prophecies and teachings that did not make the cut would be considered a form of evil and should be avoided (Thes. 5:21-22). The same is true today. It is always best to make decisions based on truths that are supported by God’s word. If it is not supported by God’s word, it is evil.

Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Will it promote purity?

by Barrett Vanlandingham
January 3, 2021 

So, what does it matter if your decisions are based on promoting pure thoughts and actions? The short answer?  God promises peace beyond understanding for those who do.

None of us really has to be reminded of how people everywhere are feeling during these days of pandemic unrest, emotional unrest, social unrest, political unrest, relationship unrest, and most of all spiritual unrest. The troubles of 2020 may not stop just because we are now in 2021, but that does not mean we have to deal with challenges in the same way. If our 2020 strategy did not work well for us, 2021 is the perfect time and opportunity to make some positive changes, at least in the way we handle stress and worry.

It was during times of trouble that the apostle Paul wrote these words to Christians in Philippi who were concerned about how Paul was doing chained to a Roman guard. Likewise, Paul was concerned about the young church’s inner conflict and about persecution from the outside. His letter served as encouragement that even in times of trial, it is possible and advisable to live life with joy.

            “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

            Just before this, Paul told his readers the peace of God comes through having a committed prayer life. This makes sense because what better way is there to “think about these things” than to be in a peaceful state of mind made possible through prayer. In the absence of an active prayer life to bring about peace, there is no one who would have a more stressful life than Paul who survived hunger, cold, being stoned, beaten with rods, and shipwrecked. Paul encouraged these new Christians to practice the same things he was preaching and practicing in his own life, which included prayer and obedience to Christ’s teachings.

            Without peace that comes from a relationship with God, people become impatient, often finding other solutions to their worries and failed relationships instead of waiting for an answer from the One who loves them most, God. Any other path to peace than God takes our thoughts away from the things Paul talked about in the verse above.

You want peace? Paul says to pray and let your mind be focused on things like purity, God’s truths, love for others, honor, and spiritual excellence. Any other path to peace is sure to fail.

             “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165).  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Decision-Making Principles: Will It Cause Anyone to Stumble?

by Barrett Vanlandingham December 27, 2020

As the New Year approaches, many decisions are being made as to the changes people want to have happen in their life. For several weeks now, my articles have focused on some of the principles that should guide every Christian’s decision-making.  

We have looked at “Are my decisions Bible-based?”  “Would Jesus do it?”  “Does it bring glory to God?”  “Have I prayed seriously about it?”  and “Are my motives selfish?”

One of the blessings that has come about by living in a Covid-minded culture is that we have all been forced to think more about how our decisions affect other people. Just one cough or sneeze can cause severe illness or even death for someone else, especially those who are most at risk. This would be true for any airborne sickness for which a vaccine has not been invented, or even for the common cold for which there is no vaccine.

So, what does it matter if my decision-making principles are based on whether it could cause someone else to stumble spiritually?  In short, the Bible is very clear on the fact that God takes it very seriously when a stronger Christian does or says anything that results in sin for a weaker Christian. Sin can affect someone’s eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul said it is important to consider the effect on other people even when it comes to what we put into our own bodies.

“15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love… 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” (Romans 14:13-21).

Christians today, as well as in Paul’s day, must rise above the laws and policies that make otherwise disgusting, questionable, harmful, or unethical practices legal. Paul told Christians in Corinth that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should, especially when it affects others in a negative way. Our ultimate goal should be that of saving souls.

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 32-33).

Jesus doubled down on this issue in regard to the effects our decisions and actions have on young believers.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

In  Matthew 18:7 and John 16:33, Jesus told his disciples that we will all face trouble in this life. But by becoming more intentional in our decisions and actions, we can partner with God in making a positive difference in the lives of others in 2021. Have a great week!