Checklist For Holy Life

Many people wonder and ask what are the do’s and don'ts of Christian life? Can I watch movies, can I drink? Can I have a girlfriend/boyfriend? Where does the Bible say this?

To answer any of these questions and discern what is right in the eyes of God, here’s a checklist you can use. 

1. Will it glorify God? 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
The things you do, does it glorify God or does it defame Him? If it glorifies God, you may do it. For example, when you smoke cigarettes do you glorify God? It does not only defame God but it also weakens your lungs. Do we befriend sinners? If we can influence them to Jesus, then it glorifies God.  

2. Will this be inconsistent with the lordship of Jesus Christ?

1 Corinthians 7:23  “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”
We used to be slaves to sin and the devil. Jesus’ life was the cost for heaven to win you back. We are no longer our own now, we are His. We should not become slaves of men anymore. So our actions should not be conflicting with the ownership of Christ because we are His. We are his property and we need his permission to do anything. He is our Adonai/ Master. 

3. Will this be inconsistent with biblical examples?

Many stories and examples are there in the Bible that teaches us what’s right and wrong. We can think of these while making decisions. 
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Paul says this. Paul lived the way Christ lived. In  the same way there are men of God and examples in the Bible setting examples for us on how to live our lives. 
Daniel, who was part of the administration of the Palace, was someone who the ruling kingdom couldn’t find a single fault with. He was blameless. At that time, the rest of the people were eating food sacrificed to idols. But he didn’t eat this and instead had lower quality food. He had the courage to say “No” o food given to idols. We should also have the courage to stand apart in righteousness in an unrighteous world. 

4. Will this be lawful and beneficial for me?

1 Corinthians 6:12-17
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

Our bodies are not our own anymore, they belong to God, to the body of Christ. We are one with God in spirit, so we cannot unite ourselves with sin. Many things are permissible, but is it beneficial?
For example the Bible doesn’t say having sugar is bad, but we know that too much sugar is not beneficial for us!

5. Will this help others positively and not hurt them unnecessarily?

1 Corinthians 10:33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 8:13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall

6. Will this bring me under an enslaving power ?
1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

Some things, especially sexual sins that we do can be strongholds for demonic powers, so we must be careful.

We can use these questions to discern what is right and wrong!