Ep.1167: Can Good Things Ever Be Bad?
Applying Christian time management in an information-filled world
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31
As Christians, we face the potential for deep trouble each and every day. Why? We live in an age of knowledge, choice, technology and accessibility. This would all be thoroughly awesome, except for one thing. These opportunities come with a healthy dose of what I will call an “entitlement of excess.” Because we can, we therefore feel we must. Many of the myriads of things available to us are good and healthy. We can learn to garden, sew and carve wood by watching videos online. We can be part of several social communities without the disadvantage of distance. Amazingly, we can learn about other cultures, appreciate art and music from anywhere, read, absorb and watch to our heart's content. So, how much is too much? Where should we draw a line, and more importantly, why should we draw lines?
You'd think the question of good things potentially becoming bad would be easy for Christians. Colossians 3:17 tells us, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” This seems so simple – do whatever you are going do with thankfulness to God and in Jesus' name, and you are fine. Keep Jesus in mind and carry on! While there is powerful truth in this, it is far from complete.
Can we take advantage of others?
What if we are blatantly taking advantage of others and doing it in the name of Jesus? Is that okay? Of course not! What if we are supporting an organization we know does bad things but supports what we think are good and godly causes? Is that okay? Still no, but perhaps this is not as easy to determine. What if we are engaged in good and healthy human activities that directly or indirectly interfere with our Christianity? Is that okay? Hmmm, we may need to think about this. How much do they interfere? Is it really interference or is it just minor inconvenience?
Is it really that bad?
The “Is it really that bad?” question is a life-altering query. How are we making Christian decisions, assessing the countless ways we can occupy our time? How do we clearly quantify when something that starts out worth our time and effort but ends up being an unprofitable path to continue on? To adequately answer these questions, we obviously need the Bible. More than that, we need the relevant Scriptures put in order so we can follow their guidance.
Don't miss downloading our Decision Tree here
Check out our March 1, 2021 podcast, “Can Good Things Ever be Bad?” for more. We put the complex process of finding godly guidelines for all aspects of life into a Decision Tree. We pose the important questions and attach Scriptures to them as guidance. Then we put the several levels of questions needed to secure a God-honoring answer in sequence. The result is a roadmap to guide us with every life decision regarding things like friends, leisure, research, curiosity and hobbies. We can choose if the good things in our lives remain good. Join us and find out how!
I gonna make a frame with my Decision Tree! Thanks for it!
Hi, Simony! We really appreciate your taking the time to write. The Decision Tree we discuss in this podcast has really helped us personally, so we pray it will be a blessing to you and all of our listeners. Lord bless, Christian Questions