Discerning Questions
taken from a sermon by Bill Ferguson
When faced with a deed, a word, an action, an attitude, a circumstance, which a decision will be summoned, before participating in such, ask the series of questions below. They can serve as a method in helping to discern right and wrong, good and bad. While nothing takes the place of training our senses with the Word of God (Hebrews 5:12-14), the following questions of personal interrogation can go a long way toward one maturing in Christ.
- Is it condemned explicitly or implicitly in the Bible? Galatians 5:19-21
- Will it harm me spiritually? Romans 8:1-14
- Will it harm me physically? 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
- Will it harm me emotionally? Matthew 26:75
- Will it hurt others, causing them to go astray? 1 Corinthians 8:9-13;
- Will it take too much of my time and money? Luke 12:16-21; Ephesians 5:15-16
- Will it hurt my influence for Christ and His church? Matthew 5:13-16
- Will it violate my conscience? Acts 24:16; Romans 14:21-23
- Will it cause a spot or stain in my life? James 1:27; Ephesians 5:25-27
- Will it lead me into bad company? 1 Corinthians 15:33
- Will it hinder me from performing my responsibilities as a Christian? 2 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 6:33
- Will it corrupt my heart? Matthew 15:18-19; Philippians 4:8
- Will I want to conceal it from others? John 3:19-21; Hebrews 4:12-13
- Is it something which other Christians could uncompromisingly associate and participate? Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 1:3-7; 2:3-6
- Can I pray about it? Matthew 26:41
- If Christ were with me would he approve Acts 10:35; Ephesians 5:1-10