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But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because<\/strong> he does<\/em><\/span> not eat<\/em> <\/span>from faith; for whatever is<\/em> <\/span>not from faith is sin.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Listening to the Holy Spirit means walking by faith.<\/p>\n \u201cDoubts<\/span>\u201d is translated from the verb diakrin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, made up of dia<\/em><\/span>, denoting separation and krin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto judge, distinguish, or decide.\u201d Diakrin\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto make a distinction between two things.\u201d When expressed in the middle voice, as it is here, it means \u201cto contend with oneself.\u201d That is, \u201cto waver between two points of view\u201d or \u201cto doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201ccondemned<\/span>\u201d is from katakrin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto judge down\u201d or \u201cto judge as guilty.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating action which was completed in the past but with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being on the ongoing effect.<\/p>\n \u201cSin<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek noun hamartia<\/span><\/em>. The verb form of this word, hamartan\u014d<\/em><\/span>, means \u201cto miss the mark.\u201d Thus, a sin is something in which God instructs us to do one thing and we do something else (we miss the mark He has set for us).<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Paul has been talking about decisions that we make regarding the things we have convictions about. In the previous verse he told us that we will be blessed if we allow ourselves to do those things which we are convinced are okay. Now he looks at the other side of the coin. He addresses what happens if we are convicted by the Holy Spirit not to do something but we do it anyway.<\/p>\n He goes back to the example of eating and says, \u201cBut he who doubts is condemned if he eats.<\/span>\u201d If the Holy Spirit and our conscience tell us that it is okay to do something, then it is okay to do it. But, if our conscience is nagging us about something, or if the Holy Spirit will not let us have peace about a potential decision and we go ahead and do it anyway, then our actions will result in sin. The reason, according to Paul, is \u201cbecause he does<\/em><\/span> not eat<\/em> <\/span>from faith; for whatever is<\/em><\/span> not from faith is sin.<\/span>\u201d In other words, if we can\u2019t feel complete spiritual peace about something, then we shouldn\u2019t do it. That\u2019s where faith comes into this picture. If it\u2019s what God wants us to do, then we WILL have peace about it. That\u2019s not to say that there won\u2019t be some uncertainty about the future. What we can be sure of, however, is that if we have peace about our decision after we have prayed about it and have earnestly sought God\u2019s direction, then it\u2019s time to move ahead and follow our decision.<\/p>\n If, on the other hand, after we have prayed about the decision, seeking God\u2019s guidance, we still have doubts in our mind as to whether we should do it, then we shouldn\u2019t! In this case the doubts are a product of Holy Spirit conviction.<\/p>\n The key to all this is that we must be submitted to God and we must be committed to doing His will. If this is true and we have earnestly sought God\u2019s guidance, then the lack of doubt is a sign of God\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n This type of behavior requires a level of spiritual maturity that some Christians never achieve because it requires exercising their faith. This is an example of walking by faith, not by sight. It requires the ability to discern between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Are you willing to submit your will to that of your Heavenly Father and walk by faith?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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