What is your philosophy regarding those “gray “ areas of life? You know…the amoral things we face daily that are so pervasive in our current culture… Think of all the areas that are presently acceptable in our Christian community; maybe not acceptable in your individual world, but rampant in this fallen world. Let’s name a few…aggressive driving and behavior that demands the “right to the road”, “Christian” swearing, living with unresolved relationships, overuse of our current social media platform, concealed bitterness, body piercings, “tats”(tattoos), brunch with alcohol, drug use, pornography, divorce on unscriptural grounds…veiled sins of all kinds…
There are many decisions in life that are not clearly right or wrong and have not been explicitly defined in scripture. Some of the above-mentioned choices are clearly defined sin, some are not. However, the point is that each decision we make in life is based on whether it is good or evil for us (or someone else that is following our example!). These are the choices that are left to our spiritual maturity and discernment. Spiritual maturity is based on discerning good from evil…not human reasoning over “gray” areas. As moms, our decisions are determined by choosing a life of selflessness for the benefit of making those little eyes watching us more successful than we could ever be. “The path of the just is as a shining light…” Proverbs 4: 18”
“This then is the message which we have heard of Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all!” I john 1: 5 God condemns any darkness! “Gray” is a mixture of darkness and light!
What does that tell you about “gray” areas?
“You know our foolishness, Oh God; our guilt is not hidden from you.
May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of us?
May those who see you not be put to shame because of us…”
Psalm 69:5, 6
What we consider a “gray” area will ultimately be determined as good or evil by God one day. He holds us accountable! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in her body, according to what she has done, whether it be good or bad.” II Cor. 5: 10 We cannot lean on our own understanding and follow the crowd around us. Our job is to “prove all things, hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil!”
A point in fact: Those who taunt us with “gray” areas tend to be offended by those who would question whether something is right or wrong. Recently, I was talking to my 15-year-old grandson who plays on a national all-star baseball team. He is exceptional in every way and his high school teammates have been relentless in their rejection of him. You’ve seen and heard it…the bullying, name-calling crowd…you’re “holier than thou” or you’re too “legalistic”. When anger between coaches and players reached a high pitch during a game last season and the team got into a “knock down, drag out” fight on the field and my grandson chose not to participate, he was accused of not being a team player by the coach!! Hardly a “gray” area to my grandson, but apparently, acceptable behavior for the coach and his young impressionable team!
Defensive, argumentative, combative, contentious, competitive attitudes
are all warning signs of compromising in “gray” areas.
Can you walk in the light and have fellowship with those
who desire to live in “gray” areas?
This, then, is the message we have heard of Him, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that does evil, hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest her deeds should be reproved. But she that does the truth comes to the light and her deeds will be manifest, that they are of God.” John 3: 19-21
Where are the “gray” areas in your life?
Are you a stepping-stone or a stumbling block?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
