othergods

Is it a sin to wonder if there are other Gods - since thinking it is the same as doing it?

That question actually has two parts. The second part is one that we hear Jesus talking about quite often in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. He tells us that we break the commandments not just by our actions, but also by out thoughts. For example: "You have heard it said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,’ and anyone who murders is subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be subject to judgment." So it is a biblical truth that a we sin by our thoughts as well as our deeds.

But is it a sin to have questions? To wonder about things God tells us in the Bible? I’m reminded of Mary’s question after the angel told her that she would give birth to the Son of God. She didn’t immediately say, "If you say it - I believe it." Rather, she said, "How can this be - since I am a virgin?" Mary had questions. She wondered. It is natural for us to question some of the things of God. We are not God and so there are some things he says and does that are hard for us to understand. As God himself said in Isaiah 55, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Questioning is not a sin in and of itself. It is a natural human responses to the things of God. Just as anger is not a sin in and of itself. It is a natural human response to things like injustice and hurt. But just as anger can often lead us to sin, so can questioning. The key is what you do with your anger and what you do with your questions.

Questions are designed to lead us to search for the truth, so when your questions and the things you don’t quite understand about God, lead you to search for truth and God’s answers, you are doing just what God desires.

In fact, the whole purpose for this column is to provide an avenue to ask the questions you have.

If, however, your questions lead to doubts and you simply accept them and never search for God’s truth, that obviously is not God’s will and thus would be a sin. It all depends on what your questioning leads you to do.

Thanks for asking,
Pastor Dave

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