Is it a sin to use products with sinful names?

[Lucian Hodoboc]

I recently came across a video editing software that has a lot of features called DaVinci Resolve. It was created by a company called Blackmagic Design.

Is it a sin to use products or to do business with companies that are named after things that Christianity labels sinful?

 

[Joseph G]

I won't speak for others, but I couldn't. As one who backslid into serious compromise and idolatry in the past, I'm not willing to make the slightest concession now that God has me back on high ground (a painful but freeing process), because I know how quickly, and unknowingly, it can snowball back into serious sin. I avoid judging others, though, as I invite them to just view me as a weaker brother. I'm fine with that.

 

[Grip Docility]

I recently came across a video editing software that has a lot of features called DaVinci Resolve. It was created by a company called Blackmagic Design.

Is it a sin to use products or to do business with companies that are named after things that Christianity labels sinful?

Paul speaks of having the faith to eat meat sacrificed to idols, because one knows that the idol is a nonexistent powerless joke. However, some people have faith that is founded in fear, thus they do not have the ability to eat that meat, because they are convicted to fight against the flesh of this world, instead of battle principalities of a spiritual nature.

1 Corinthians 8

You must choose to fear, or be set free by perfect Love. 1 John 4:18

1 John 4:4

 

[Daniel9v9]

No, not in and of itself. If something causes us or those around us to sin, or if it causes tension, disorder, or hurt consciences, then we want to avoid it. If it doesn't, then we can use it with a clear conscience.

For example, in Acts 28, we learn that Paul and Luke were graciously provided a ship to Rome. It was an Alexandrian ship decorated with the pagan twin gods Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus. They were believed to be patrons of sailors. Even so, Paul and Luke were fine to use it and God's Word doesn't say that they sinned. It wasn't an act of worship, but simply how it is living in a sinful world full of idolatry. It can be helpful to understand this in light of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

Here's a practical application:
I have an iPhone and when I bought it, the money went to Apple. Now, I know that Apple as a company is very engaged in pushing contemporary western values which I believe are against the Bible. But using their product or paying for it doesn't mean that I agree, consent, or support what they believe and do. If we start thinking like this, then there's nothing in the world we can use, because the sad reality is that everything is tainted by sin if we consider it properly in light of God's Word. But we do what we can with what we have, with a clear conscience, as long as we don't cause sin.

So, if you want to use DaVinci Resolve, you're not sinning against God. But if you're really troubled by it, you are free to listen to your conscience.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

No, not in and of itself. If something causes us or those around us to sin, or if it causes tension, disorder, or hurt consciences, then we want to avoid it. If it doesn't, then we can use it with a clear conscience.

For example, in Acts 28, we learn that Paul and Luke were graciously provided a ship to Rome. It was an Alexandrian ship decorated with the pagan twin gods Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus. They were believed to be patrons of sailors. Even so, Paul and Luke were fine to use it and God's Word doesn't say that they sinned. It wasn't an act of worship, but simply how it is living in a sinful world full of idolatry. It can be helpful to understand this in light of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

Here's a practical application:
I have an iPhone and when I bought it, the money went to Apple. Now, I know that Apple as a company is very engaged in pushing contemporary western values which I believe are against the Bible. But using their product or paying for it doesn't mean that I agree, consent, or support what they believe and do. If we start thinking like this, then there's nothing in the world we can use, because the sad reality is that everything is tainted by sin if we consider it properly in light of God's Word. But we do what we can with what we have, with a clear conscience, as long as we don't cause sin.

So, if you want to use DaVinci Resolve, you're not sinning against God. But if you're really troubled by it, you are free to listen to your conscience.

My conscience is afflicted by religious OCD / scrupulosity. It has been that way ever since I started seeking God, several years ago. I've had OCD all my life, but it wasn't of the religious kind. It seems to have changed from secular OCD to religious OCD since I read the Bible.

 

[AlexB23]

My conscience is afflicted by religious OCD / scrupulosity. It has been that way ever since I started seeking God, several years ago. I've had OCD all my life, but it wasn't of the religious kind. It seems to have changed from secular OCD to religious OCD since I read the Bible.

Well, if it affects you, you can get another video editor, such as Kdenlive or OpenShot (plus, those are free), but I am not a video editor. I am a bit scrupulous myself.

 

[Joseph G]

My conscience is afflicted by religious OCD / scrupulosity. It has been that way ever since I started seeking God, several years ago. I've had OCD all my life, but it wasn't of the religious kind. It seems to have changed from secular OCD to religious OCD since I read the Bible.

Ah, but what a magnificient obsession we have. Beats the former things which did not satisfy the longings of our souls. Being obsessed with the eternal is much more wise than being obsessed with the temporal, considering that they will all pass away! Much easier for God to free us from religious scrupulosity than from a mind bent on distractions that will destroy our souls.

Keep the faith!

 

[Tuur]

Paul speaks of having the faith to eat meat sacrificed to idols, because one knows that the idol is a nonexistent powerless joke. However, some people have faith that is founded in fear, thus they do not have the ability to eat that meat, because they are convicted to fight against the flesh of this world, instead of battle principalities of a spiritual nature.

1 Corinthians 8

You must choose to fear, or be set free by perfect Love. 1 John 4:18

1 John 4:4

Which if why I'm not comfortable saying yea or nay on this. Either might cause someone to stumble. Perhaps the best thing is if someone is bothered by such a company or product name, then don't use it.

 

[Grip Docility]

Which if why I'm not comfortable saying yea or nay on this. Either might cause someone to stumble. Perhaps the best thing is if someone is bothered by such a company or product name, then don't use it.

It’s a touchy matter for certain. The Holy Spirit will work with all as He knows they must be worked with at the moment.

If it’s not read, it may never be found, yet if it is read wrong, it could cause trial.

It is touchy, indeed.

 

[Daniel9v9]

My conscience is afflicted by religious OCD / scrupulosity. It has been that way ever since I started seeking God, several years ago. I've had OCD all my life, but it wasn't of the religious kind. It seems to have changed from secular OCD to religious OCD since I read the Bible.

I'm sorry to hear that! It must be difficult! At least we can rejoice in that God is able to comfort us through His Word. So in this case, very simply, we know that the Bible forbids dark arts, the demonic. But using a video editing software is not dark arts, even if it may be produced by a company with a questionable name, so we can use it with the freedom we have in Christ, with a clear conscience.

It may also be good to consider what you're using it for, because you may very well be doing something good without thinking about it. For example, I've recently made animations with my daughter, and according to the Bible, that's a good thing, because it's spending time with my daughter which is part of my vocation as a dad. So instead of focusing on whether or not certain objects are sinful in and of themselves, which can often become very arbitrary and burden our consciences with rules that God's Word doesn't make, we can consider how things can be used and whether or not it causes sin. In your case, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Rather, the fact that you're mindful of all of this is a good thing.

The peace of our Lord to you!

 

[AlexB23]

Ah, but what a magnificient obsession we have. Beats the former things which did not satisfy the longings of our souls. Being obsessed with the eternal is much more wise than being obsessed with the temporal, considering that they will all pass away! Much easier for God to free us from religious scrupulosity than from a mind bent on distractions that will destroy our souls.

Keep the faith!

Amen to this. I am scrupulous as well, and do not like celebrating secular holidays (except for Thanksgiving, New Year and Mother's/Father's Day), as I use these days to be thankful for my family and God.

So, no Halloween, no 4th of July, no Valentines Day, no St. Patty's day or any other one of those holidays.

 

[com7fy8]

My conscience is afflicted by religious OCD / scrupulosity. It has been that way ever since I started seeking God, several years ago. I've had OCD all my life, but it wasn't of the religious kind. It seems to have changed from secular OCD to religious OCD since I read the Bible.

In this case, I think I would not want to use that company, because of the name.

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

If the name or comments on the product directly promote or excuse or honor what is wrong, that might make the difference for me.

But what matters more, in your case, **and in all of our cases**, is learning how to evaluate reliably . . . becoming able to make sure with God about "all things". So, beware of some one item that would tangle you up and keep you from staying prayerful with God at all times, about testing "all things".

 

[CoreyD]

I recently came across a video editing software that has a lot of features called DaVinci Resolve. It was created by a company called Blackmagic Design.

Is it a sin to use products or to do business with companies that are named after things that Christianity labels sinful?

There is no scripture that gives a command on this, and so this is a matter of conscience, which only you can decide with the help of Bible principles. 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24

 

[CoreyD]

No, not in and of itself. If something causes us or those around us to sin, or if it causes tension, disorder, or hurt consciences, then we want to avoid it. If it doesn't, then we can use it with a clear conscience.

For example, in Acts 28, we learn that Paul and Luke were graciously provided a ship to Rome. It was an Alexandrian ship decorated with the pagan twin gods Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus. They were believed to be patrons of sailors. Even so, Paul and Luke were fine to use it and God's Word doesn't say that they sinned. It wasn't an act of worship, but simply how it is living in a sinful world full of idolatry. It can be helpful to understand this in light of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

Here's a practical application:
I have an iPhone and when I bought it, the money went to Apple. Now, I know that Apple as a company is very engaged in pushing contemporary western values which I believe are against the Bible. But using their product or paying for it doesn't mean that I agree, consent, or support what they believe and do. If we start thinking like this, then there's nothing in the world we can use, because the sad reality is that everything is tainted by sin if we consider it properly in light of God's Word. But we do what we can with what we have, with a clear conscience, as long as we don't cause sin.

So, if you want to use DaVinci Resolve, you're not sinning against God. But if you're really troubled by it, you are free to listen to your conscience.

Very good reasoning.
Now that you mentioned the ship Paul travelled on, there are so many things in this world that have pagan origin... like the names of the Months of the year. the planets.
As you said, we have to use our Bible trained conscience.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

no Valentines Day, no St. Patty's day

But Valentine and Patrick were Christian saints. We're supposed to honor the saints and celebrate their feast days.

 

[ozso]

I recently came across a video editing software that has a lot of features called DaVinci Resolve. It was created by a company called Blackmagic Design.

Is it a sin to use products or to do business with companies that are named after things that Christianity labels sinful?

If you find yourself questioning it, it's best to stay away from it.

 

[AlexB23]

But Valentine and Patrick were Christian saints. We're supposed to honor the saints and celebrate their feast days.

True, but those holidays have totally become secular. I will only celebrate them by honoring the saints, but I have no idea how to do that yet, as I only became Catholic in 2022.

 

[CoreyD]

But Valentine and Patrick were Christian saints. We're supposed to honor the saints and celebrate their feast days.

Like @AlexB23, I too would be interested in hearing how these feast days are celebrated.

 

[JustaPewFiller]

I recently came across a video editing software that has a lot of features called DaVinci Resolve. It was created by a company called Blackmagic Design.

Is it a sin to use products or to do business with companies that are named after things that Christianity labels sinful?

This probably does not directly answer your question, but it may be helpful.

Have you considered Kdenlive? It is free, and open source. No big companies behind it. It has many of the same capabilities as DaVinci.

It may be able to do what you need without the conflict.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

It may be able to do what you need

Thanks, but Kdenlive doesn't have the auto-background removal feature that DaVinci has. The only other software that has it (to my knowledge) is Capcut, but that one costs a lot of money for the premium version.