Q: Recently, God has been calling me to serve in a particular ministry. One thing that this ministry asks of us is not to participte in certain events (I can't party the next year)...

...I guess personally I've always treated this aspect as a gray especially with my closest friends being non-Christian and they enjoy me socializing with them. Just to be clear there are lines where I don't cross, but I'm learning these days how it's sinful to be seen as an example that may tempt people into that area, especially people who struggle in that area. SO, that being said, these days, I've been praying about what I'm living for. Do I really think I'm a "bad" Christian because I go to a party once a month or so, not really still, but if I see the danger of tempting a brother or sister, than its a different light. So, after praying over it a few days, I think I'll give up partying next year to serve Christ.

A: As we grow as Christians, we start to understand that our actions do not just affect us and our relationship with God, but it really sets either a positive or negative example for others.

I'm so glad that you came to this decision. Although there is fundamentally no problem with hanging out with non-Christian, it's the setting in which you are doing it that may cause a brother or sister that is less mature in their faith to get the wrong message.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:9-10:

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?

In the Jewish Law, food was deemed unclean, but when Jesus came, He declared that it wasn't what you put in you that made you unclean, but what came out of you. Therefore, He declared all foods was clean (Mark 7:18-20). This gives us the freedom to eat what we wanted to. However, in Jesus' day, this new concept was still taking hold and thus for people who did not know about the freedom Christ gave, they still adhered to the old laws. Paul is basically saying that although we have the freedom to eat the meat, if it causes another brother or sister to stumble, we should refrain.

This is a good sermon that you should listen to. Click HERE. It's titled "Can Jesus Smoke?", but it deals with social issues that aren't explicitly addressed in the Bible. It talks about discernment and how we can make a Godly decision in life.

Sometimes, as the more mature Christian, we just have to recognize that we set the example for those who are younger than us. And sometimes, although we are given the freedom to do so, we just need to suck it up and refrain from doing some things for the sake of our brother's and sister's growth. Amen, that you understand this and God is honoured when you put Him first.

[Answered by Pastor KJT]