But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
Romans 14:23 AMPC
While the Apostle Paul was writing concerning food, this verse sets a standard for the ‘whatever's’ in our lives. Every action we take must originate and proceed from a conviction of its approval by God. Four times, the Bible tells us ‘the just shall live by faith’.
While we live in the midst of a morally corrupt society, we, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, must hold Biblical convictions but we cannot hold biblical convictions without a continual, daily feeding upon the Word of God. The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds through the process of attending to the words from the mouth of God. God’s word spoken, that it might be written = the Bible.
We just acquired a copy of “The Jewish Study Bible” Tanakh translation. In the intro remarks of this bible it says, “ More than twenty-five centuries have passed since an anonymous Jewish poet wrote an elaborate and lengthy prayer that included this exclamation: O how I love your teaching! It is my study all day long…Ps. 119:97. These two themes — the love for the Torah (teaching) and dedication to the study of it — have characterized Jewish reading and interpretation of the Bible ever since. The love is the impetus for the study; the study is the expression of the love.”
The Psalmist wrote again from 119, ‘Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you’. Without the entrance of His word, there is no illumination about right and wrong. Without the Word, we hold the worlds moral compass. As we attend to the Word we begin a process of renewing our minds. Our lives, our choices, our opinions, become realigned to those that agree with God and His Word. Romans chapter seven tells us the law came and we died. The words of the law revealed the conditions within our hearts. “I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’.”
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward. Psalm19: 7-10
We are daily inundated with information from so many differing sources. There are many voices in the world and none without significance. Every voice we allow into our lives ultimately has the power of influence. Jesus said words are seeds sown into our hearts. The devil works through the “words, thoughts, imaginations” to deceive and blind us.
As we pull our verse apart ~
But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
~ we find where we have doubts and misgivings, they spring from an uneasy conscience. Again, while Paul is discussing diet, we can all assign this standard to all aspects of living. This becomes our moral compass. As believers, living true to your own convictions can only be maintained as we are confident our convictions are His. We have His approval on our choices, words and deeds When we are confident about His will governing our every choice what then proceeds are our acts of faith. We know we have His seal of approval on them.
I only do what I see my Father doing.
I only say what I hear my Father saying.
He who has seen me, has seen the Father.
These are just a few of the Words that I try to align my daily activities with. Do I always measure up? Of course not, but it is the higher calling and we are all to press towards.
I want the world to know I am a Christian with a moral compass that has been set by Him and defined by His Words.