Doubtful Practices

Publication: Undergraduate Handbook

Policy Statement

Various activities exist which might be considered doubtful practices. Students should make sensible spiritual decisions concerning these practices.

Policy Procedures

When in doubt, the student should ask the following questions. [Adapted from David LeGrand’s Christian Ethics Notes, pp. 29-30]

How does it affect me?

• Would it harm my body? (I Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; Rom. 12:1-2)
• Would it cause me to think impure thoughts? (Matt. 5:28; Phil. 4:8)
• Will it cause me to form some undesirable habit? (I Cor. 6:12)
• Does it bind me in any way to an unbeliever? (II Cor. 6:14)
• Is the atmosphere good?
• Does it cause me to be with fellow believers or unbelievers? (James 4:4; I John 2:15-17; II Cor. 6:7)
• Does it feed my old or new nature? (Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:9-10)
• Is it something I would like to be doing when Christ returns? (Titus 2:12-14)

How does it affect others?

• Will it cause me to be a stumbling block to another Christian? (Rom. 14:13,21; I Cor. 8:9-13)
• Would it appear to others to be evil? (I Cor. 10:31; II Tim. 2:3-4)
• Is my witness enhanced or hindered by it? (Phil. 2:15)

How does it affect the cause of Christ?

• Does it please the Lord? (I Cor. 10:31; Rom. 14:12; II Tim. 2:3-4)
• Does this activity assist me in keeping Christ first in my life? (Col. 1:18)
• Can I honestly thank God for it? (Col. 3:17)
• Will it involve a waste of God’s time, money, or talents invested in me? (I Cor. 3:23; 6:19-20)
• Does it violate any plain teaching of Scripture? (II Tim. 3:16-17)