Are certain practices ok if Christ doesn't explicitly condemn or warn against them in scripture?

[Reluctant Watchman]

The following concept came up in conversation. It goes something like this:

———
If there's no mention or condemnation of a certain type of behavior in the writings of Christ, is it ok to proceed with said behavior?
———

For example, it could be argued (not my argument btw) that Christ doesn't explicitly say that you shouldn't have sexual intercourse before marriage, so does that make it ok to have sex before marriage?

I have my strongly held opinion but thought I'd throw it out there.

[Niemand]

It really depends what it is. I doubt Jesus would condemn anyone for wearing sunglasses but he would for cybersex.

[Reluctant Watchman]

It really depends what it is. I doubt Jesus would condemn anyone for wearing sunglasses but he would for cybersex.

I'm sure there's a balance.

I disagree with the ideology that just because something isn't explicitly stated in scripture somehow opens the door for exploration.

[Niemand]

It really depends what it is. I doubt Jesus would condemn anyone for wearing sunglasses but he would for cybersex.

I'm sure there's a balance.

I disagree with the ideology that just because something isn't explicitly stated in scripture somehow opens the door for exploration.

Many things have an analogy.

In the electronic realm, cybersex clearly corresponds with lust, and spending too much time gaming is akin to the prodigal son.

On the other hand, sunglasses wouldn't be an issue unless it verged into vanity.

[marc]

If I sincerely believed that Jesus Christ would not do something if He were in my place, I wouldn't do it. As one who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost, to do otherwise would be lying to myself and defiling myself. We are to crucify the flesh which means to strip ourselves of all ungodliness. My two cents.

Moroni 7:13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

Moroni 10:30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

[Socratic]

If you follow Christ's commandments (don't lust, don't be prideful, don't steal, etc.) then I think that will show you just about everything that's permissible or not:

Like Niemand said - Christ didn't explicitly ban cybersex, but he did ban lust, which is the reason for cybersex - so it's impermissible.

In the Orthodox tradition we don't have a rigid list of what actions are "sinful" or "not sinful" - it usually depends on circumstances. In our tradition, even going to Church can be a sin if the only reason you're going is to be seen by other people (i.e. pride). For us spirituality is not a checklist but a living relationship with God. Sin isn't always a black-and-white thing.

[blitzinstripes]

We are judged against the revealed law of God. Where there is no law, there is no judgement.

[tmac]

Malum in Se versus Malum Prohibitum. Is something inherently bad or evil? If it is, Christ shouldn't even need to condemn it. But if it's not inherently bad or evil, then prohibition just for the sake of prohibition makes little sense.

While adultery is condemned, because it is inherently evil (does harm to applicable spouses), the act of sexual intercourse itself is not inherently bad or evil (although some have tried to make that appear to be the case). Although some cultures and/or traditions have looked down on pre-marital sex (sexual intercourse outside the bonds of marriage), it is hard to find any statement(s) directly attributable to God addressing that situation. So then the question is, is it inherently bad or evil -- i.e., does it harm someone? Who? How? From my perspective, the answer to that question is quite complex, but my own view is that God views adultery and pre-marital sex very differently.

[Reluctant Watchman]

We are judged against the revealed law of God. Where there is no law, there is no judgement.

And every person is given the light of Christ, to know God from evil. There will never be enough books to dictate the wickedness that exists. That's kind of what the Law of Moses was striving too combat and was eventually fulfilled. We are supposed to study the word, not justify our actions through vague interpretation.

[Reluctant Watchman]

Hebrews 13

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

[Wondering Wendy]

If one has had the baptism if fire and the Holy Spirit, then they are no longer living under the written telestial commandments. They are living by what the spirit tells them to do, alone.

Of course the spirit will likely not be telling you to hurt anyone as it teaches you to love one another and become more Christ-like. We will still be taught God's will and requirements for us, but on a more personal level. The spirit will guide us through sanctification until we obtain our calling and election made sure.

For those who haven't received the BoF&HS, they are to follow the written commandments as best they can, repenting and calling on the spirit to guide them until they do receive it. When the law is written on our hearts, we don't have to guess what is sinful and what is not, the spirit will inform us either way as long as we are continually listening for it.

[MikeMaillet]

The use of cannabis is one of those things that is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible but people have strong opinions about it in the same way that they feel about Trump. It is very difficult to come to any type of civilized discussion on the topic because of such strong and polarized views.

I use cannabis and there are many on this forum who believe that I am committing a gross evil in doing so. If the use of cannabis was forbidden in scriptures then I would abstain but in my case, the use of cannabis almost always draws me to the scriptures. If not the scriptures, then the bicycle. I like to go for one hour rides at high speed and loooove to overtake E-bikes and young people riding expensive road bikes. I'm willing to put up with significant muscle pain to go fast and if I'm not hurting, I'm not going fast enough. I've tried going out for a ride without cannabis and it felt like a lot of work; it was not fun. Cannabis allows this 67 year old to enjoy an activity that keeps my heart, lungs and legs healthy. There is something therapeutic about spending 60 minutes going all out whilst pondering the mysteries of the universe. There is also the thrill of going 60 km/hr (40 mph) down a mild hill, knowing that if I hit a rock or a pothole that I will be getting seriously hurt.

I'm an amateur musician who plays guitar and some drums. Cannabis not only makes music more enjoyable but it also allows me to more easily separate the instruments in my head so that I can hear each one separately. I have not used my camera for a few years but I did my best shooting when under the influence of cannabis.

I consider the use of cannabis one of those things that we have not been warned about by the Lord and there is nothing explicit in the scriptures that speaks for or against the practice. I do not endorse nor recommend the use of cannabis, especially if it can land you in jail. I use it because it works for me. Cannabis makes me less excitable, less angry and allows me to be much more compassionate towards other people. There are some negatives such as, can't drive, eventual sleepiness, munchies and being falsely judged by others, but for me, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

Mike

[marc]

The use of cannabis is one of those things that is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible but people have strong opinions about it in the same way that they feel about Trump. It is very difficult to come to any type of civilized discussion on the topic because of such strong and polarized views.

I use cannabis and there are many on this forum who believe that I am committing a gross evil in doing so. If the use of cannabis was forbidden in scriptures then I would abstain but in my case, the use of cannabis almost always draws me to the scriptures. If not the scriptures, then the bicycle. I like to go for one hour rides at high speed and loooove to overtake E-bikes and young people riding expensive road bikes. I'm willing to put up with significant muscle pain to go fast and if I'm not hurting, I'm not going fast enough. I've tried going out for a ride without cannabis and it felt like a lot of work; it was not fun. Cannabis allows this 67 year old to enjoy an activity that keeps my heart, lungs and legs healthy. There is something therapeutic about spending 60 minutes going all out whilst pondering the mysteries of the universe. There is also the thrill of going 60 km/hr (40 mph) down a mild hill, knowing that if I hit a rock or a pothole that I will be getting seriously hurt.

I'm an amateur musician who plays guitar and some drums. Cannabis not only makes music more enjoyable but it also allows me to more easily separate the instruments in my head so that I can hear each one separately. I have not used my camera for a few years but I did my best shooting when under the influence of cannabis.

I consider the use of cannabis one of those things that we have not been warned about by the Lord and there is nothing explicit in the scriptures that speaks for or against the practice. I do not endorse nor recommend the use of cannabis, especially if it can land you in jail. I use it because it works for me. Cannabis makes me less excitable, less angry and allows me to be much more compassionate towards other people. There are some negatives such as, can't drive, eventual sleepiness, munchies and being falsely judged by others, but for me, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

Mike

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

[MikeMaillet]

The use of cannabis is one of those things that is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible but people have strong opinions about it in the same way that they feel about Trump. It is very difficult to come to any type of civilized discussion on the topic because of such strong and polarized views.

I use cannabis and there are many on this forum who believe that I am committing a gross evil in doing so. If the use of cannabis was forbidden in scriptures then I would abstain but in my case, the use of cannabis almost always draws me to the scriptures. If not the scriptures, then the bicycle. I like to go for one hour rides at high speed and loooove to overtake E-bikes and young people riding expensive road bikes. I'm willing to put up with significant muscle pain to go fast and if I'm not hurting, I'm not going fast enough. I've tried going out for a ride without cannabis and it felt like a lot of work; it was not fun. Cannabis allows this 67 year old to enjoy an activity that keeps my heart, lungs and legs healthy. There is something therapeutic about spending 60 minutes going all out whilst pondering the mysteries of the universe. There is also the thrill of going 60 km/hr (40 mph) down a mild hill, knowing that if I hit a rock or a pothole that I will be getting seriously hurt.

I'm an amateur musician who plays guitar and some drums. Cannabis not only makes music more enjoyable but it also allows me to more easily separate the instruments in my head so that I can hear each one separately. I have not used my camera for a few years but I did my best shooting when under the influence of cannabis.

I consider the use of cannabis one of those things that we have not been warned about by the Lord and there is nothing explicit in the scriptures that speaks for or against the practice. I do not endorse nor recommend the use of cannabis, especially if it can land you in jail. I use it because it works for me. Cannabis makes me less excitable, less angry and allows me to be much more compassionate towards other people. There are some negatives such as, can't drive, eventual sleepiness, munchies and being falsely judged by others, but for me, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

Mike

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There is also Genesis 1:29 but what is described here is the earth before Adam and Eve were placed upon it and I believe that what might be described is the creation of the Garden, given that Adam and Eve were subsequently expelled to the lone and dreary world that is the earth upon which we currently live.

29 ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Mike

[Reluctant Watchman]

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

[marc]

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

I wouldn't consider those that dull and kill the body and soul as "wholesome."

[Reluctant Watchman]

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

I wouldn't consider those that dull and kill the body and soul as "wholesome."

Marijuana is an interesting "herb"... that's for sure.

[marc]

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

I wouldn't consider those that dull and kill the body and soul as "wholesome."

Marijuana is an interesting "herb"... that's for sure.

Haha, yeah. It's not for me. But I don't have any conditions that require me to use it. I almost never take ibuprofen, except for rare occasions when I have a headache. Then I'll take a full dose with acetaminophen. I hardly took any of the prescription pain killers when I had shoulder surgery. They either didn't work, or they turned my stomach.

[FrankOne]

We are judged against the revealed law of God. Where there is no law, there is no judgement.

This subject is as deep as the sea.

It is my understanding that mental guilt measures sin. When a law is given, and a person does not believe in it all , as a child mind would do, is that person then condemned for not believing or is he not simply judged for what he believes in? 99.99% of the world has not received the doctrinal laws of the LDS church so the bar of judgment in LDS terms doesn't apply to the vast majority. Yet God is the God of all, right?

In my perspective, judgment is meted from the resulting guilt within our own minds based on whatever each person truly believes in. Hence, the saving grace of Jesus. When a person BELIEVES that Jesus has atoned for his sins, the guilt can be removed by the power of Jesus Christ and the atonement. The belief in forgiveness by Jesus opens an effectual door which permits purification.

It's all belief and nothing more.

[FrankOne]

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

Although cannabis doesn't do much for me, I can say that on the flip side of this, pharmaceuticals which are prescribed to moderate stress etc such as prozac are the most evil devices ever produced. My body doesn't like alcohol much anymore due to aging, but if it did, I'd drink HQ beer more often or a good dry red wine.

[MikeMaillet]

D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

God was the first to grow cannabis. Sounds to me like you are using it with prudence and thanksgiving.

There are "natural" substances that will dull and kill both the body and soul... so we can't use that as a blanket statement.

Even pure water is poisonous to the body if taken in excess. It is all about the dosage.

Mike

[MikeMaillet]

I wouldn't consider those that dull and kill the body and soul as "wholesome."

Marijuana is an interesting "herb"... that's for sure.

Haha, yeah. It's not for me. But I don't have any conditions that require me to use it. I almost never take ibuprofen, except for rare occasions when I have a headache. Then I'll take a full dose with acetaminophen. I hardly took any of the prescription pain killers when I had shoulder surgery. They either didn't work, or they turned my stomach.

I'm the same way with pills. I had been given some strong pain killers when I broke my collar bone a few years ago and stopped taking them after a few weeks because I did not like being spaced out all of the time. Afterwards I took them sparingly and only when the pain was severe.

Mike

[MikeMaillet]

We are judged against the revealed law of God. Where there is no law, there is no judgement.

True, but there is no advancement until we have proven that we can live the law that is required to live in higher kingdoms.

Mike

[Reluctant Watchman]

It is my understanding that mental guilt measures sin.
It's all belief and nothing more.

You honestly think that? So... if we convince ourselves that a certain habit or behavior is correct, then it will never be sinful?

[FrankOne]

It is my understanding that mental guilt measures sin.
It's all belief and nothing more.

You honestly think that? So... if we convince ourselves that a certain habit or behavior is correct, then it will never be sinful?

To harden yourself or lie to yourself makes no difference to what you truly believe in. If it is set in you , and then you lie to yourself later , then the true belief which is deeper, is still the judge.

A man in Uganda that is raised in homosexual sex (it's very common there) and leads a savage and cruel lifestyle isn't condemned for it, right?

What actually IS sinful?

Can a man be judged by a standard that he has never heard of?

No.

Then the 'written laws of Sin' are not laws at all. If the law is set in stone for all, then everyone must therefore be judged by that law irrespective of their knowledge of it. The law of gravity affects everyone. The definition of Sin does not exist except within the minds of each individual.

The standard of sin is that which as been accepted into the mind as true.

The specific definitions of sin are not laws at all.

When a man violates his beliefs , he feels bad. It is the measure of guilt that judges him.

"As a man thinketh, so is He" (This means what one truly thinks)

It really is time for these things to be known clearly.