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Question from a friend of WordTruth Press:
>>I am currently dating a man who I
believe is my future husband.
We both like to go out dancing and have a few drinks We are also waiting
for marriage to have sex. We are both deeply in love with each other and
are happy.
A lot of people wouldn't feel that we are living the right way, yet the
fruits of the spirit are present in our lives. What is your opinion?
>>>
WordTruth Press Response:
Let me commend you and your fiancé's desire to remain sexually pure
until marriage. This is quite unusual these days. Yet it certainly
honors the LORD's command to turn away from sexual immorality and embrace
faith and righteousness.
I understand your question about the judgment of your lifestyle. There
are many people who would judge a lifestyle of drinking and dancing as sinful.
As you have described it, I do not find anything offensive about it.
That is based on the assumption that your dancing is for recreation and perhaps
an art form. I also make the assumption that you and your fiancé are
not dancing in a lewd, provocative way (based on your affirmation of sexual
purity). The Bible certainly does not condemn this type of dancing.
In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that there is:
A
time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance.
(Ecclesiastes 3:4, NKJV)
As for your drinking in moderation, I do not find anything offensive about
this either. The Bible declares that drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians
5:18) as is associating with drunkards (Proverbs 23:19-21). But drinking
in moderation is not condemned as sinful. There are, however, warnings
about drinking too much (Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-35). So if your drinking
is limited to a few drinks, and this does not make you lose control of your
will or faculties, then it does not sound sinful.
There are principles for relating to other believers that every Christian
must learn to apply in his/her life. Prayerfully read chapter 14 of
the book of Romans. Here you will find the following principles that you
must apply in your own life situation:
1) THE LAW OF LIBERTY -- You have freedom in Christ to do what is commanded
or not prohibited in Scripture. Some believe drinking and dancing are
sinful. "Let
each be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5, NKJV).
2) THE LAW OF DISCRETION -- Take care not to rub your freedom in the face
of another brother/sister who is not convinced that your acts are righteous.
Do not get into arguments about it.
"13 Therefore let us not judge
one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block
or a cause to fall in our brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced by the
Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers
anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved
because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with
your food the one for whom Christ died" (Romans 14:13-15, NKJV).
3) THE LAW OF FAITH -- Act out of conviction about what is right or wrong.
Whatever you do must be based upon your faith in the LORD Jesus. If
you doubt that what you are doing is pleasing to God, then do not do it.
"22
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not
condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if
he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith
is sin" (Romans 14:22-23, NKJV).
I hope this provides you with some food for thought (no pun intended ;-).
May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Jesus!
Rev. Randy Lariscy :-)
President - WordTruth Press℠
© Copyright 4/10/2004, Randy Lariscy.
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