We should be more diligent in walking in the light and not in the gray areas

I have noticed that there is no shortage of workarounds and gray areas when it comes to the modern church and it's people when it comes to their efforts in excusing or protecting their sins.

The latest I have seen came from a christian who wanted to justify going to watch Disney's reboot of 'Beauty and the Beast" despite its outward embracing of homosexualiaty and it's undertones of beastiality. Yes, that is exactly what it comes down to. To justify going to see it takes some serious working around the word of God and His commands in order to do so.

Simply put, we are told to prove all things; hold fast that which is good and to abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

The excuse used by this christian went like this in his own words: "Yep, sin is present in this movie, just as it is present in every movie, home and church where sinners dwell...aka everywhere. While it is far easier to dwell on the sins that surround us, we chose to look for God's redeeming grace in all we do."

So since sin is everywhere it is ok to dabble in or be around things that are sinful, things that are not pleasing to God?  God's word says to do so would bring tragic consequences.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:28-32

This requires additional emphasis so I will state it again.

Paul said clearly that those that participate or support (condone, tolerate, etc) anything that has to do with "unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful" and those "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

This christian that I had the chat with referenced an article that essentially gave him his talking points and his line of reasoning. This was demonstrated in his reply to me where he said, and I will say it again here, "Yep, sin is present in this movie, just as it is present in every movie, home and church where sinners dwell...aka everywhere. While it is far easier to dwell on the sins that surround us, we chose to look for God's redeeming grace in all we do.".

Another thing that came to my mind when he said this was what Paul wrote to the church in Rome "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2

My reply to him went like this:

"It's more than a princess movie. It has elements in it that God hates as per His word, namely magic. If God finds magic an abomination then why would we play around with it, even if we are just using  imagination? Sin is rooted first in the mind, the it infects the heart and so on...more: http://www.kuwlministries.com/2016/08/hey-christians-once-again-magic-is-it.html"

And

 ..."we should reprove it not excuse it for the sake of entertainment. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11"

and

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18"

People all around the church today look for "gray" areas such as noted above. They fight back with anyone who would try to reprove them of their sins by saying something like "its my Christian liberty, you can't judge me!".

There are many reasons why that popular mantra is so wrong. Technically there really are no gray areas in God's economy. There is light and dark and that is seen throughout scriptures. The safest way to look at this if there is an area that seems gray to you, stay away from it.

Another reason this mantra is all wrong is the judging part. I will not go too much into this but we are told to judge one another within the church, admonishing, rebuking and reproving wherever it is needed. The logic that we are not judge each other flies against the word of God. There is a book about judges as well, go figure. So this is a silly and non-biblical argument and it is typically used to defend sin.

Christians ought to embrace being judged. David begged God to judge him to make sure he was right with God. That is the attitude we ought to have instead of trying to protect all the 'gray' areas.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

As for them claiming Christian Liberty in order to excuse their selfish dabbling in a so-called "gray" area (there are none...) the Bible says they should not be using their liberty for selfish things but to serve God and others.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 KJV

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 KJV

Jesus gave us the best example that we ought to follow. He was God made flesh who came and dwelt among His creation. He did not come to be served but instead He came to serve.

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:44-45

So as for this whole issue regarding 'gray' areas, when it comes to being a Christian should there really be any? I would say that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Gray is not light but a partial covering of the light causing a mix of darkness and light. the Bible says that a a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Galatians 5:9) so in that sense we ought to not have any to do with sin but instead we ought to walk in the light of the Lord!

We should be more diligent in walking in the light and not in the gray areas.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7