question about conviction

[deckland]

Hi,

I'm sorry that I can't cite the exact verse, but I remember Paul writing about the personal conviction... basically saying that "everything that's not done with conviction is a sin". I hope that someone in this forum would be able to remember what verse I mean (I'm also not a native speaker so I'm pretty sure the English version will be somehow different).

I'm interested how do you understand this? I will try to give an example. For example, say I wanna watch a comedy TV show, which I used to love, but every now and then there's something offensive in the show, which I wouldn't like. If I have internal doubts that I shouldn't be watching the show, does it mean that this is sin for me, since I have doubts? And if my brother have no such doubts, it's no sin for him...

I hope you understand my question.

Rado

 

[tturt]

I know what you're saying. One thing for me is home decorating shows. I was watching them Hrs and Hrs everyday and there are all types of things included in those shows too. One day I just knew ... no

By the way, great to see you!

 

[cyberlizard]

the verse may be Romans 14v24 (last half of the verse)

 

[deckland]

Yes - that is the verse - Romans 14:23, thank you!

What do you think of it? Everything done with doubt is a sin?

 

[cyberlizard]

this may sound a little convuluted, but it is a quote by a man called Davis Stern from his commentary on the new testament and with this passage in mind....

"one person considers some days (v5) more holy than others. The reference is not specifically to jewish holidays but to any days that any believer might have come to regard as especially holy. This is because the "weak" are not specifically jewish believers, but any believers attached to particular calendar observances.

Each should be fully convinced in his own mind. This principle for dealing with doctrinal and practical disputes applies to matters about which the bible is indifferent and must be balanced against 2 Tim 3v16.

where scripture gives a clear word, personal opinion must give way. But where the word of God is subject to various possible interpreations, let each be persuaded in his own mind whilst showing respect to others.



So your verse simply means, when it comes to things about which the scripture is not black and white, just make up your mind and be true to your own convictions. Nothing very spiritual about the answer, just very practical.

so i you choose to celebrate chrsitmas (for example), be fully convinced it is the right thing to do, if you do it without being convinced you sin against yourself. Sin simply means 'miss the mark'. In your own mind you miss your own standard.

hope this help a little

p.s. the context specifically from an historical standpoint, regarding the 'days one being more holy than another' is during that time, from the time of Ezra, 2 fast days were established each week and it is these to which Paul is referring, rather than things like Passover and Tabernacles (which God expected Jews to keep)

 

[deckland]

this may sound a little convuluted, but it is a quote by a man called Davis Stern from his commentary on the new testament and with this passage in mind....

"one person considers some days (v5) more holy than others. The reference is not specifically to jewish holidays but to any days that any believer might have come to regard as especially holy. This is because the "weak" are not specifically jewish believers, but any believers attached to particular calendar observances.

Each should be fully convinced in his own mind. This principle for dealing with doctrinal and practical disputes applies to matters about which the bible is indifferent and must be balanced against 2 Tim 3v16.

where scripture gives a clear word, personal opinion must give way. But where the word of God is subject to various possible interpreations, let each be persuaded in his own mind whilst showing respect to others.



So your verse simply means, when it comes to things about which the scripture is not black and white, just make up your mind and be true to your own convictions. Nothing very spiritual about the answer, just very practical.

so i you choose to celebrate chrsitmas (for example), be fully convinced it is the right thing to do, if you do it without being convinced you sin against yourself. Sin simply means 'miss the mark'. In your own mind you miss your own standard.

hope this help a little

p.s. the context specifically from an historical standpoint, regarding the 'days one being more holy than another' is during that time, from the time of Ezra, 2 fast days were established each week and it is these to which Paul is referring, rather than things like Passover and Tabernacles (which God expected Jews to keep)

Hi cyberlizard,

Thank you for the reply. I may say I understand what you're saying with the single exception for the part where you say the sin in this context (having doubts) is "missing the mark". Not familiar what that really means? The verse says "sin" so I guess this is a sin as any other sin that separates us from God (and for which Jesys died on the cross). So it's not just me not reaching my own standard but something that's bad and must be avoided.

Thanks,
Rado

 

[cyberlizard]

if you look at the context of the passage, it is not so much sinning against God that it is discussing, but sinning against yourself. The word sin, means 'miss the mark', its an archery term.

So what it is saying is that unless you are consistent in you own belief, you miss your own mark (sin).


Steve - hope this helps a little

p.s. the big difficulty most of us have is that we read a bible written in our own language as though the bible was actually written in that language. Then we interpret it with a cultural understanding of our own day, and so misunderstand the true meaning of texts. We need a transplant of mind and thought, to get over the fact not many of us speak hebrew or greek.