Can something be gross but not sinful?
Question:
Hello Mr. Hamilton,
I have a question for you about a debate with someone about doing something crazy and reckless versus something sinful. This is very crazy, and I know you answer a lot of questions, so you have heard a lot of crazy stories, but this is extremely crazy. I'm sorry this is a little gross, but I need your wisdom on this.
For privacy, I will call these two people Bob and Steve. Bob and Steve were at a party. Bob and Steve like to do crazy acts they think are fun, sometimes jumping off buildings and doing really crazy things and vlogging it. One day Steve was drinking, and for some odd reason that is extremely unknown, Steve and Bob thought it would be funny to film themselves with Steve purposely getting sick on Bob (I warned you this was gross). So they did it and even recorded it.
Thank you for taking the time to answer this; I know that this is really out there. I just needed your wisdom.
Answer:
People tend not to see their own actions as sinful (Proverbs 12:15). Your two friends got drunk, and drunkenness is clearly condemned in the Bible. "Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts" (Romans 13:13-14). In addition, they are not treating each other with respect. "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). This is not a suggestion; it is God's command.
"I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.' And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, 'It is madness,' and of pleasure, 'What does it accomplish?' I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. ... Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 11).
Your friends have decided that being fools is fun. But it is worthless because it does not last, and it accomplishes nothing. "The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor" (Proverbs 3:35). As Solomon notes, you are best off finding better friends. "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge" (Proverbs 14:7).
