When making decisions, as believers, we have to evaluate how we spend our time, what activities we are going to invest our time and energy into, and how all of that can glorify God. There are things in today's world like facebook, being online, reading blogs, etc that are not specifically mentioned in scripture. How do we determine if these activities are okay to do then? God's Word has given us everything we need to live godly in this world...so it must speak indirectly to these topics.

There are benefits to having a facebook and a blog and even reading blogs...I may mention some of those in a later post. But, right now, I want us to be thinking on how we can best discern if these things are best for us during certain seasons of life.

Paul states these verses in 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23 that help us with areas not mentioned directly in scripture. He says:

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

That is true...all sorts of things are lawful, or allowed by God...but are they the best choices? Just because it may be lawful, does that mean it is always okay or advantageous?

Here are some guidelines that Paul writes about in these verses:

All things are lawful, but all things are not helpful.

All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

All things are lawful, but I will not be enslaved to anything.

Paul found that even though it was lawful, it was best not to do certain things. It would be more advantageous (useful, prudent, profitable) for the kingdom of God in a given situation to not do some things. For example, avoiding things that might offend others, cause us or others to sin, or take the place of something more valuable we should be doing would be good reasons not to participate in something perfectly allowed by scripture. Biblical principles come into play here when the Word of God does not speak directly to something.

What about if what I am doing does not build up others or myself spiritually...maybe we need to think again if this is the best thing for us to do...especially in regards to facebook and other online time takers. I know for me, when I get on facebook to just check something very quickly, I might see that someone has posted new pictures, then I see someone that has a new interesting status...then I read someone else's wall conversation and before I know I have spent 1 hour online doing nothing to build up others or myself for God's kingdom.

"I won't be enslaved, or ruled, by anything"...this is an interesting phrase from scripture...and this can easily be applied to many areas of life. But, in regards to facebook, how many times have you gotten up in the mornings and you are tempted to go to your computer to check facebook before a quiet time with God? How many times have you allowed facebook or a blog to be in your thoughts so much that you would rather check that than do things that a keeper of the home needs to be doing? It can be enslaving.

Jay Adams has this to say about being enslaved or *ruled by* in his book, The Christian's Guide to Guidance (I highly recommend this book!):

This principle extends to matters that, becoming habitual, may take over one's life. For instance, many have become so enamored with TV that watching takes over inordinate amounts of time(the same is true of others who waste time playing computer games, surfing the net, etc). It is lawful to use the computer, or watch TV programs, but that is not true if what is done is not useful to the building up of one's life(or the life of others) or if it is not profitable for the kingdom.

Here are some heart questions for us to ask ourselves:

1) Is this useful, prudent, or profitable for the kingdom of God?
2) Is it better to not do this certain thing that would be perfectly fine and allowed by Scripture?
3) Does this offend others in any way?
4) Is it the best choice as to how I spend my time?
5) Does it build others up in the faith? (Are you using it for that reason???)
6) Is it profitable spiritually for yourself?
7) Does it give glory to God and is it being used for that purpose?
8) Is it a habit or routine that I am being *ruled by*?