Handling and Considering Moral or Ethical Dilemmas

Weighing and Balancing Life's Situations

What is a Christian to do?

Have you ever had a Dilemma.

You want and like to do the right thing but sometimes something is thrown at you, that can churn

you. What is truly right or wrong?

When things are not always black or white but seem to fall

into that gray area.

How do we define a Dilemma

A dilemma is a problem where there are two choices that a person

can make, sometimes with either choice someone will get hurt, like being between a rock and a hard

place. A situation where you are not sure what is right or wrong, or what is

more right or more wrong.

When considering what God’s Word says about any particular subject we sometimes find commandments that

can give us direction; but in other cases we will have to search deeper

into the scriptures.

Where there are no clear commandments, there are still many

principles, not often clear without careful study, and occasionally we

may find God’s Word silent on a few matters.

The Bible would not have enough room to include every possible situation that we could be faced

with or we not even be able to lift it. It is with careful study of the Word, with guidance from the

Holy Spirit, and sometimes some loving guidance from other

mature Christians that can help us steer when faced with tough

situations or dilemmas.

A businessman once said his business is like a folding screen.

It only stands if it is crooked.

Temptation and pressure to cut corners and cheat are greatest

when it involves money.Voltaire said. ‘When it comes to money all men are of the same

religion’.

CONSIDER: IS IT ALRIGHT FOR...

- Christian Lawyer to plead not guilty for a criminal he knows is guilty- Christian airline steward to serve liquor- Christian purchasing agent to take gifts and gratitudes from suppliers

- Christian Doctor to sign a form for - patient he knows is not valid- Christian working at a bar- Christian gambling- Christian go into a bar, tavern or lounge to witness for Christ-Christian to pay taxes, knowing some goes to unethical, unbiblical practices- Christian going to war and fight

- Christian becoming a politician- Christian giving to a poor person under all circumstances, of them being poor- Christian becoming a business partner with a non-Christian- Christian to lie if human life is in danger- Christian withholding from the Lord’s work

Lets take a look at some scripture to see what we can learn. We will not necessarily answer each of these

statements, but should give us something to consider as the Lord

leads you.

Let us consider this subject by asking ourselves some questions

with a teachable Spirit and with careful study of Bible scripture.

This is a very small sample but could be used a springboard for you to

assess many situations that you may face.

Some are easier than others to consider, but everything needs to be

taken back to the Lord, through scripture study.

1 Cor. 10:23~31 Does this activity edify myself or another believer? Does this activity bring glory to God?

Could this cause give Christ a bad name, since we are ambassadors and representatives of Christ, everything we do is often seen by others as a reflection of Christ, bringing reproach on Him, the Church and body of Christ.

1 Cor. 6:12 Though it may be lawful for me, I need to ask myself if this activity is spiritually beneficial or is this activity enslaving to me?

1 Cor. 8:7-13 Does this activity defile my conscience? Could this activity hinder the growth of a fellow believer? Could I cause another brother to stumble, if so I would be better not to be involved in something that could affect a brother. They may have a weaker conscience. It could cause them to believe this is OK and even get them selves involved in something really worse. For another it could divisions and disunity between brothers and could affect the whole body of Christ.

May the Lord bless you and direct your footsteps as you face a deal with

situations that you will come across in your walk with the Lord.