The 6-8-10 Principlefor Determining the Will of GodGod knows we are often faced with decisions that may not allow for extended times of prayer, Bible study, and counseling with others. Some times a situation presents itself and we feel the need to quickly make a decision. First, ask yourself if you really have to make the decision now or if you can tell your friends, boss, spouse, kids, etc. that you would like to take some time to think about it. If you can gain some time, then apply the principles found here: [link back to will of God hand illustration explanation] If you are unable to put off the decision, use the 6-8-10 Principle. The 6-8-10 Principle comes from 1 Corinthians chapters 6, 8 and 10. That's why it's called the 6-8-10 principle. The principle is actually a list of four questions. Use them when you're trying to decide whether or not to do a certain activity, think a certain thought, or be a certain type of person. The first two questions are derived from 1 Corinthians 6:12 which says, "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. Question #2: Does it master me? Paul reminds us we are free from the law through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We no longer have to try to comply with laws and regulations we are unable to keep. We are free because Jesus Christ paid the price for us. So Paul knew he could work and travel on the Sabbath, interact with Gentiles, and eat food previously considered “unclean.” He did not use his freedom to indulge himself, but to help more people follow Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9:19 he said, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” His new criteria was not whether or not he was following Jewish law. His behavior was designed to include winning as many as possible to Jesus Christ, doing things that were beneficial, and not doing things that mastered him. I have the freedom to watch television. It's not a sin. But when I ask these two questions, I often have to admit it's not beneficial for me to watch television. And sometimes I find it masters me. I set my schedule up to allow me to watch a certain movie or keep up with a weekly sitcom. My schedule revolves around the television schedule. Therefore, it masters me. And if you have TiVo or you watch DVDs or you catch your favorite reality show online, it can still master you. Instead of controlling your schedule, you are controlled by your need to know whats going on. To not be left out. I consider it mastery when I feel uncomfortable because I missed the latest installment of Breaking Bad. Or I have to take a break from the Ax Men marathon to mow the yard. Television is one of those areas where I struggle with being mastered. And when I admit the truth to myself, television is almost never beneficial for me. Eating can be another area of struggle for me. Especially around the holidays. I'm not an obese man. I'm probably 15 pounds over my ideal weight. But when the holiday pies, cakes, and assorted sweet treats come out, I can be a glutton. I eat so much I feel physically uncomfortable. Then I eat some more. My weight goes up. My clothes feel tight. I'm miserable. Nothing beneficial in that for me. During those times, food and eating master me. I have to be particularly careful to monitor my behavior at those times. And then there is my thought life. I have a stream of constant mental chatter running though my head. I believe we all do. Much of my chatter is negative judgment about myself and others. Those negative judgments are not beneficial. They definitely master me. My negative mental conversations cause me to develop a bad attitude. They cause me to get angry easier. They cause me to grumble and complain. They cause me to lose my joy. They cause me to be proud. And the list goes on. These two questions are a great place to start. Often I know whether or not God wants me to do something after I have honestly answered them. But, if necessary, I can ask the next question.
The third question comes from 1 Corinthians 8:13 which says, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” As a more mature follower of Jesus Christ, I may have a better understanding of the freedom I have because of what the Lord has done for me. I must be careful not to exercise my freedom in a way that causes undue difficulties for younger, less mature followers. For instance, I might be o.k. with going into a bar to have drink with my non-believing friend. It's the place where he feels most comfortable and I would like to talk to him about spiritual things. A topic considered by many to make one feel uncomfortable. I am willing to go into the bar, if that's the best way to reach him. A less mature follower of Jesus might have had a serious problem with alcohol prior to beginning his spiritual journey. While he follows Jesus Christ as closely as he can now, at one time alcohol mastered his life and was not beneficial for him. He associates bars with his previous lifestyle. If I know this to be the case, I need to work extra hard to find a way to talk with my non-believing friend about spiritual things. And at the same time not cause my believing friends to think it is o.k. for them to be followers of Jesus Christ and return to their previous unhealthy lifestyle. The fourth question comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31 which says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” The great thing about this question is it can include simple things like washing the dishes, studying for class, making a meal, mowing the yard, playing with your brother, taking your sister to the movies. Or not. You can do each of these things for God's glory or for your own. You can do your daily tasks for the glory of God or for your own glory. You can work your job for the glory of God or not. You can do your school work for the glory of God or for your own glory. You can help people for the glory of God or not. I think you can see the pattern here. You can do almost anything for the glory of God. With the exception of those things known to be outside the will of God. You can not have sex with your girlfriend, get drunk, steal from the local convenience store, beat up your neighbor for the glory of God. How to Give the Glory to God I can give the glory to God by: So there you have it. Next time you have to make a quick decision use these questions. THE 6-8-10 PRINCIPLE You can also use a variation of these questions to conduct a quick mental review of your day. Did I do anything today that was not beneficial for me? Did I do anything today which mastered or controlled me? Did I do anything I could not stop doing when I should have? Did I do anything today that might have caused another follower of Jesus Christ to sin? Did I do anything today which was not glorifying to God? OR Did I think about anything today that was not beneficial for me? Did I think about anything or anyone today which consumed my thoughts? Did I think about anything which I could not stop thinking about? Did I think about anything today that caused another follower of Jesus Christ to sin? Probably not. As long as it's just a thought and I don't verbalize it, I don't think it can cause someone else to sin. But it can definitely cause me to sin! Did think about anything or anyone today in a way that was not glorifying to God? Philippians 4:8 gives us some pretty high standards for our thought patterns. It says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Is it true? Thinking on these things glorifies God!
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