Can a Christian Participate in THAT?

• Should I join the school dance team? The moves they want us to do are suggestive (but not as much as the music) and the clothes they ask us to wear are immodest.
• Should I go out for the school play? The story line is basically ungodly and definitely glamorizes immorality.
• Should I allow my boyfriend to ever put his hands on my body? It always leads to impurity.
• Should I go along with my friends' movie choices? They all say they are Christians, too, but they often choose something that I (or my parents) definitely object to.
• I don't really listen to the lyrics. I just like the music, but my parents really have a problem with the music I listen to.

I offered this teaching to students recently and several asked for the PowerPoint notes to be emailed to them. I thought I'd throw the notes up here instead of emailing them. I hope this helps!! May we be a community of believers who embrace purity, wisdom and Christ-likeness! May we approve that which is right and good and pure and throw off all that is not!

I hope that these guidelines become each student's own internal screen for all he or she approves.

These are my "Top Ten" Scriptural guidelines for "should I or should I not participate . . ."

• Is it forbidden by God? 1 Thessalonians 5:22

• If any activity or desire is forbidden by God in His Scripture, it's off limits. You may need to change how you think about it, exercise self-control, lose friends or deny yourself, but get used to it! God has given us boundaries because He loves us so much that He does not want us to harm ourselves or waste precious time on stuff that is useless. Examples? Movies that glorify sex and violence (Psalm 101), any sort of sexual activity (clothes on or clothes off) outside the boundaries of marriage (including homosexual behavior--1 Corinthians 7, Romans 1, 6).
  

• 1.Do my parents approve? Ephesians 6:1-3

• This is the first criteria for any high school student. If you are not in right relationship with your parents, you can't be in right relationship with God. Of course, not every student has Christ-following or reasonable parents, but we can be at peace "as much as it depends on you." So if your parent disapproves of the relationship, the movie or the activity in question, it's off limits.

• Is there glory in it for God? 1 Corinthians 10:31

• The Christ-follower needs to be able to say, "I am doing this for God's glory." That doesn't mean that never put your hand to a task that is merely physical. There is great glory for God in many a physical task, from basketball to skeet shooting; from reading to writing; from connecting with friends to playing chess. May we be motivated by a desire to make much of God in all things.

• Is it “of the world”? 1 John 2:15

• Anything we take on that is simply something the world does--either because it's their habit or their vice should not be embraced by the Christ-follower. The verse referenced above says that if you and I love something merely because the system of the world places a value upon it that "the love of the Father is not in us." That's a sobering statement, isn't it. We are to be in, but not of the world.
  

• Would Jesus participate? 1 Peter 2:21

• This is a very difficult principle, isn' t it? Jesus did some things that were surprising. Though they were never his closest friends, he befriended harlots. When a friends' family wedding ran dry of wine, he made more (at his mother's request!). Yet, as the verse reference above reminds us, He is our perfect example. Do your best to answer the question objectively and honestly. Would he really?

• Would you be embarrassed to be found participating when Christ returns? 1 John 2:28

• Since this principle depends upon conscience, it's important to allow a pure reading and interpretation of Scripture build your conscience. If your conscience has been defined primarily by your past and the people around you, be pressed back to Scripture! All of us have a somewhat subjective conscience, and therefore we must not rely on "our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge Him," because He'll keep you and me on track.
  

• Would you do it remembering that the Holy Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Because the Spirit lives in you, God owns every action that your BODY does. You gladly belong to Him (right?). And not only that, He's with you at all times. When you surf the Internet, while you watch TV and when you're talking with friends as you go down the hall at school. He sees and hears it all.
  

• Is it fitting conduct for a child of God? Romans 2:24

• One of my favorite people in the whole world is my boss, Gary. He tells the story of a King's son who was out and about in the shire one day, dressed as a beggar. He did what he liked: wasting time, getting into trouble, etc. But when the young man was identified he was in deep trouble. Why? Because the King's kids have expectations on them much more than common peasants. Hey, your conduct always reflects on your Dad's name.
  

• What affect will it have on others? 1 Corinthians 8:9

• We can't LIVE our LIVES based on other people's convictions, but we can draw people closer with our wisdom and discernment in what we allow in our lives. The principle of "offending a brother" means I won't do anything that I know could cause a "weaker" brother to be tripped into sin. We want to build up, not tear down, right? So what affect will your permission to participate have on those around you? For the positive, or negative? Toward Christ, or away? Build up, or tear down?
  

• Do you have ANY doubt? Romans 14:23
• If there is still doubt in your mind after the above principles have been perused, don't participate. If you have doubt in your heart, than for you it is sin. I want you and me to HATE sin. To hate anything that resists God's will. I have tons of blind spots. In the areas that I KNOW I am sinning (or I at least can't say in faith that I am NOT sinning), I must put that sin to death!
  

Use this grid and pray for wisdom (Jame 1:5!), God will certainly grant it as you ask and keep trusting His Word. He may ask you to do bold things, but don't stray off course. If you halt between two opinions you will be like a ship tossed about at sea (James 1:6-8).

God help us walk in His wisdom!