Navigating ‘Messy’ Situations

(Rob McLeod)

As I grow older I increasingly perceive that little in life is ‘cookie cutter.’ There seems to be no formula to predict the many unusual situations and decisions that we must face as a husband, father, employee or employer that desires to honour the Lord and His ways. If life were simply lived according to a check list of “do’s” and “don’ts” it would seemingly be easier to navigate.  In this short discussion I want to consider our approach to handling decision making and setting a correct course of action in times when we don’t have 100% clarity of the complete picture. This is a sort of ‘big picture’ approach when making decisions in difficult-to-navigate situations.

First of all, we must understand that the Lord has clarity even if we do not. I don’t see Scripture teach that anything is ‘gray’ to Him. Consider Hebrews 4:13 and Isaiah 46:9-10:

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

“Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

As we seek the mind of the Lord we will receive clarity, even if just for the next step. We are in good company with scores of other believers who have sought the Lord’s heart amongst the messy situations of life.  Scripture is full of accounts of believers, mature or new in the faith, who ‘wrestled’ while determining their next steps. Below are several accounts to consider, although I will not spend significant time analyzing them. I would encourage you to read through the passages and try to imagine the significant cultural and spiritual pressure that these individuals were encountering during these moments.

Naaman (2 Kings 5)

This man was a commander of the Syrian army but also a leper. He was told by a young servant girl that the prophet Elisha could cure him of this terrible disease. After begrudgingly heeding Elisha’s instruction to bathe in the Jordan River seven times he was completely healed. Naaman was completely blown away by the power of the God of Israel but he was also now conflicted. He asked Elisha if he could be pardoned by the Lord if he were compelled by his master to bow down in the temple of their Syrian god, Rimmon, back home. Elisha is simply recorded as responding to Naaman, “Go in peace.” Did Elisha give the correct advice? Was Naaman right to even ask this of Elisha?

Daniel

This young Jewish man was taken captive by the Babylonians while likely a teenager. He took a courageous stand by asking to not be fed foods that were considered unclean under the Mosaic law. Nevertheless, over the course of his youth, Daniel learned the language (likely Aramaic) and culture of the Babylonians. His cohort of king’s servants and ‘employees’ included the likes of soothsayers, astrologers and magicians. Not a group of people we would be desirous to hang around! Although Daniel did not compromise his conscience on a host of issues he also did not flee the oppressive workplace and cultural environment. He saw himself as strategically placed to assist in the move of the Lord in a foreign nation. Would we have fled the wickedness that he undoubtedly experienced on a day-to-day basis?

John the Baptist, Tax Collectors and Roman Soldiers

In Luke 3:7-14, John is telling the multitudes to repent and be baptized. Amongst the listening crowd were tax collectors and soldiers. Neither of these two groups were endeared to the general Jewish population. The tax collectors were Jewish men hired by the occupying Romans to collect taxes. As a result, tax collectors were seen by many to be traitors to the nation of Israel. The tax collectors were also given freedom by the Romans to collect more than what was required by Roman law. This excess would serve as their take home pay or a commission if you will. Roman soldiers were also a much-hated group. The occupying forces were to be feared as abuses of power, extortion and beatings were rampantly carried out by such men. So, what advice did John give the tax collectors and soldiers when they asked him “What shall we do?” Instead of telling them to quit their jobs, John instructed the tax collectors to “collect no more than what is appointed for you” and the soldiers to “not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Believers in “Caesar’s Household”

In Philippians 4:22 we read, “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.” Apparently a number of people, perhaps an assortment of Caesar’s relatives, servants, soldiers, cooks and others, had come to saving faith in Jesus. These people were unlikely able to leave their occupation or societal roles. How should they then honour the Lord amidst such potentially difficult life circumstances?

Matters of Conscience amongst Believers

In many places in the New Testament (for example, 1 Corinthians 8, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 1 Corinthians 10:23-33, Romans 14:1-Romans 15:2) we see the apostle Paul deal with situations where certain believers felt that they had liberty to participate in certain activities while other believers did not. One of the particular areas of consideration in a couple of these passages centres upon whether or not believers have freedom from the dietary restrictions that were once placed upon Israel at the time of Moses. In Romans 14:14 Paul says that “there is nothing unclean of itself” but then immediately follows with “but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” Indeed it is in Romans 14:23 where we read the famous verse: “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” This latter verse gives us insight into one of the ways to determine our next steps in difficult-to-navigate situations.

Practical Guidelines for Determining Next Steps:

1. We must listen to our conscience

I don’t hear a lot of teaching about the conscience. The word ‘conscience’ is mentioned approximately 30 times in the New Testament and means “with knowledge.” But how to unpack this in practical terms? Our God-given conscience provides us with an instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated or peace when followed. It serves as an innate awareness of God’s standard for right wrong (Romans 2:15). Even unbelievers have a conscience although it may be “seared” (1 Timothy 4:2; Ephesians 4:19) due to lack of heeding it. In order to properly function as the Lord intended it, the conscience must be led by the Holy Spirit through Scripture, His speaking, fellowship with other believers and prayer.

A crucial point here is that Paul consistently urges believers to not violate their own consciences or that of others. A violated conscience can readily cause an offense or a stumbling in one’s walk with the Lord. This is one reason why “whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith.” The word “good” here refers to that which is perfect and produces pleasure and satisfaction. When our conscience is ignored or violated guilt is produced.

1 Timothy 1:19 “Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.”

2 Timothy 1:3 “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day.”

Titus 1:15 “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”

Many times we are uncertain of next steps simply because we are young in our walk with the Lord. As we gain maturity and understanding in the Scriptures it is possible that many cloudy situations will be resolved. Our consciences will then become privy to the ‘right way’ that we should take. Until then, pay attention to your conscience’s intuition! It is one of the God-given tools in your spiritual toolbox to determine the way in which you should go.

2. Please others over self (guard the consciences of others)

Many times we sense that we have freedom in a matter but we may simultaneously discern that others are offended or ‘stumbled’ by our choices or convictions. This can be a difficult process to navigate. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 10:29, “Why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?” But he then concludes in verse 33, “Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” We need to go before the Lord and ask Him: “Should I let go of my personal freedom and rather make a decision that will not stumble my brother in the Lord?”

Now for a word of caution: we typically can’t go around taking opinion polls from others when going about daily decision making. In some manner the Lord will grant us clarity on a case-by-case basis as the situations arise. We must be sensitive to the Lord and to His speaking. Understanding the Lord’s leading will undoubtedly be aided if we take our preferences off the pedestal.

3. Does it edify?

This point is related to the previous one. In biblical terms, to ‘edify’ someone means that we are taking intentional steps to ‘build them up’ in their spiritual walk. Our decision making and life choices are not made in a personal vacuum. Many things we do significantly impact the lives and consciences of others. So to edify those around us will include prioritizing the spiritual needs of others. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, “Let all things be done for edification.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reiterates this: “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as also you are doing.” It is so much easier to tear others apart, even unintentionally, but to build one another up is another story. Some decisions can be easily made when we assess their ‘building up’ potential in others. If my personal choices are going to be a detriment to the spiritual health of another person I should consider an alternative course.

4. Do all to the glory of God

In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we are told that “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Are the life choices I am making more for my (fleshly) satisfaction than the Lord’s? Are my career pursuits, manner of speech, attire and image projection more about me than Him? Sometimes taking a hard look at the motivation of my heart will allow me to discern the best route to take. Our flesh will always want to take its own path but this will be contrary to the Lord receiving the glory. In the end, the Lord will receive the glory due to Him (Philippians 2:9-11). But it is best to begin pursuing, even now, that which honours Him. If we truly want to build up the Lord’s name, rather than our own, we will receive clarity as to which decision most honours Him!