When the Bible is Silent

[bethshemaiah]

I would like to get opinions on what the Christian community labels as sin where the Bible is completely silent on the subject. If Christians are divided on issues that are controversial and there is nothing to support or reject the issue as sin, do we have a right to label it a sin or should we be silent also? Is there room for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to lead us and will He if the Bible doesn't?

[Guest LadyC]

oh boy, what a can of worms you're opening. i'm betting this will get moved to controversial within the first 30 responses!

but you're RIGHT! there are things, many things, that people lable as sin that scripture is silent on. and they shouldn't be labeled as sin. those things may be a stumbling block for certain people, and God may very well convict those individuals to refrain from the activity in question. but for the next person, it may not be something God convicts them of.

i could name a few issues which fall into this category... but i'll just sit back and let someone else start the fireworks display.

[Fiosh]

I would like to get opinions on what the Christian community labels as sin where the Bible is completely silent on the subject. If Christians are divided on issues that are controversial and there is nothing to support or reject the issue as sin, do we have a right to label it a sin or should we be silent also? Is there room for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to lead us and will He if the Bible doesn't?

I'd say a key phrase here is "completely silent". Hmmmm.....not sure that's applicable. Jesus emphasized the "spirit" rather than the "letter" of the law. Even if an issue is not specifically mentioned, you can find support in Scripture for a Christian position. You can than look to the early Church to confirm how those Christians lived out the faith of the Apostles.

Care to be more specific?????

[sierra21]

I think Jesus has given us direction in each and every aspect of our daily lives. Jesus doesn't need to tell us IN ENTIRETY of what is what and what is wrong. Through growth IN HIM we learn, we know, we understand. I believe Jesus spoke in parables probably just for this reason- they can be read and understood in many ways.

With having said that- I think it is really silly to sit around and debate over what's a sin and what isn't. In your heart you know what you're doing is either sinful or not sinful. Listen to your heart which was brought to life in Him. God Bless.

Sierra

[cjrose]

I would like to get opinions on what the Christian community labels as sin where the Bible is completely silent on the subject. If Christians are divided on issues that are controversial and there is nothing to support or reject the issue as sin, do we have a right to label it a sin or should we be silent also? Is there room for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to lead us and will He if the Bible doesn't?

The Division of Christians hurts God tremendously. There is nothing in the Bible that is silent. The Holy Spirit convicts sin, the Word of God supports it. Division is worldly and when Christians are divided, one is not being humble but boastful or proud. If we all have the same belief, why would we be divided. Is there a specific situation you are relating to?

If it is sin, and you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit will convict. Silence is not of the Bible but of our own definition of what we want to hear or don't want to hear. It's a matter of listening.

[KarenJo5]

I am in agreement with the others in this.The Holy Spirit will tell us what is a sin and what isn't if we will listen. Just because it is not specificly named doesn't mean it is not a sin.

[AndrewA]

I Am wondering what sins are not covered in the Bible. The Bible must cover all kind of sin as it is from God and can not leave these minor details unresolved as man and Satan would be able to pull it to shreds. However by looks of it they are already attempting to do so without much opposition. Homosexuality is one such example of this.

Not much more to add but simply say The Holy Spirit will prompt you in one way or another when something isn’t right.

Edited September 30, 2006 by AndrewA

[Naziyr]

I feel that the many sins of man are fully shown in the Torah, and that the Gospels show in better detail, the full representation of these sins.

Even if the scriptures do not directly state something, there is usually enough evidence through related mitzvot to validate somethin as sinful or good.

I'd like to know what isn't discussed as sin in the bible myself.

Shalom

[Guest LadyC]

I am in agreement with the others in this.The Holy Spirit will tell us what is a sin and what isn't if we will listen. Just because it is not specificly named doesn't mean it is not a sin.

likewise, just because something is not specifically named doesn't mean it IS a sin, either.

[Guest shiloh357]

I would like to get opinions on what the Christian community labels as sin where the Bible is completely silent on the subject. If Christians are divided on issues that are controversial and there is nothing to support or reject the issue as sin, do we have a right to label it a sin or should we be silent also? Is there room for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to lead us and will He if the Bible doesn't?

The Bible is never "completely silent" on the issue of what does or does not constitute a sin. Just because a particular sin is or is not mentioned is, for the most part irrelevant. Much of the time, we are able to find principles in operation where we do not necessarily find specifics mentioned. For example: The Bible does not say anything against pouring gasoline ourselves, and lighting ourselves on fire. I do believe that I can demonstrate, in principle, from the Scriptures why that is wrong.

We can examine the fruit of those actions and determine where that fruit falls relative to principles outlined for us in Scripture. Snorting Cocaine is not mentioned in the Bible, but it can be demonstrated by comparing the fruit of Cocaine use/abuse with the fruit a Christian is supposed to produce, according to Scripture that use of this or other similar substances, falls under the category of sin.

Here is one other thing... It is true that the Holy Spirit will lead us and convict us of sin; that is one of His duties here on Earth. The question is, by what standard? If the Holy Spirit is going to say to us, "This deed/thought is sin," what standard is He using to measure our deeds or thoughts? There has to be standard to measure against, to test against in order to determine right from wrong. That standard must be the Bible. How do I know when I am being led by the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit will always use the Bible as the textbook by which He teaches us. So, the Bible cannot EVER be "completely silent" on the matter of sin.