Handling Moral or Ethical Dilemmas

Have you ever had a Moral or Ethical Dilemma or a Sticky Situation. You want and like to do the right thing but sometimes something is thrown at us, that can churn us up as to what is truly right or wrong. Here are a few examples of some that people have dealt with. Moral Dilemmas may include things that are not always black or white but seem to fall into that grey area.

How do we define a Dilemma- A dilemma is a problem where there are two or more choices that a person can make, with either choice that someone will get hurt, like being between a rock and a hard place. It can be a situation where you are not sure what is right or wrong, or what is more right or more wrong.

If you are a Christian there are even addition areas that become issues to deal with. When considering what God’s Word says about any particular subject we sometimes find commandments that can give us direction; but in other cases we will have to search deeper into the scriptures. Where there are no clear commandments, there are still many principles, not often clear without careful study, and occasionally we may find God’s Word silent on a few matters.

The Bible would not have enough room to include every possible situation that we could be faced with or we not even be able to lift it. It is with careful study of the Word, with guidance from the Holy Spirit, and sometimes some loving guidance from other mature Christians that can help us steer when faced with tough situations or dilemmas.

A businessman once said his business is like a folding screen. It only stands if it is crooked.

Temptation and pressure to cut corners and cheat are greatest when it involves money.
Voltaire said. ‘When it comes to money all men are of the same religion’.

Lets take a look at some scripture to see what we can learn. We will not necessarily answer each of these statements, but should give us something to consider as the Lord leads you.

Let us consider this subject by asking ourselves some questions with a teachable Spirit and with careful study of Bible scripture.

This is a very small sample but could be used a springboard for you to assess many situations that you may face. Some are easier than others to consider, but everything needs to be taken back to the Lord, through scripture study.

1 Cor. 10:23~31 Does this activity edify myself or another believer? Does this activity bring glory to God? Could this cause give Christ a bad name, since we are ambassadors and representatives of Christ, everything we do is often seen by others as a reflection of Christ, bringing reproach on Him, the Church and body of Christ.

1 Cor. 6:12 Though it may be lawful for me, I need to ask myself if this activity is spiritually beneficial or is this activity enslaving to me?

1 Cor. 8:7-13 Does this activity defile my conscience? Could this activity hinder the growth of a fellow believer? Could I cause another brother to stumble, if so I would be better not to be involved in something that could affect a brother. They may have a weaker conscience. It could cause them to believe this is OK and even get themselves involved in something much more worse. For another it could divisions and disunity between brothers that could affect the whole body of Christ.

May the Lord bless you and direct your footsteps as you face a deal with situations that you will come across in your walk with the Lord.