Proverbs 23:20–21; Daniel 1:8, 11–16; Romans 13:12–14

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

THRIVING IN A FAST-FOOD CULTURE

Proverbs 23:20–21; Daniel 1:8, 11–16; Romans 13:12–14

Christian criticism of popular culture in the United States should be done with a sense of irony since Christians have played such a prominent role in shaping society's values. This is particularly true in the South. Accordingly we should begin any analysis of the larger culture with honest self-examination at every level — individual, congregational and communal — searching for ways in which we have unwittingly adopted and promoted questionable cultural habits.

Align With Christ (Rom. 13:12–14)

In Romans 13:8–10, the apostle Paul emphasizes the centrality of love. Specifically Paul explains that love fulfills the Law (Rom. 13:8).After citing a few of the TenCommandments, he goes so far as to say, “And if there is any other commandment — all are summed up by this: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the Law" (Rom. 13:9–10). His point echoes Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them — this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 7:12; see also Matt. 22:34–40).

In the next chapter, Paul warns against undue judgment regarding the observance of particular days or the choice of certain foods (Rom. 14:1–23). He continues to address these issues in Romans 15. Of course, these commands originally addressed tensions between Jews and Gentiles in the earliest Christian congregations. Yet their application obviously extends to the common human tendency to elevate some issues above others and then use that measure for self-righteous condemnation.

We should keep this larger context of Romans 13–15 in mind when we read selected verses from these chapters. Otherwise, when we read Paul's command in Romans 13:13 to avoidsexual impurity, we can focus too easily on those sins and not pay nearly enough attention to "quarreling and jealousy" at the end of the verse. In Romans and his other letters, Paul repeatedly spends more time on how one should relate to others in general than on sexual sin in particular. Of course, this does not mean that we should minimize sexual sin. Rather we must always be on guard against self-righteousness, particularly in how we interact with one another (see James 3:1–12). Indeed the average writer and reader of these lessons probably struggles more with "quarreling and jealousy" than with "carousing" or "promiscuity." So let us strive to accept one another as Christ has accepted us (Rom. 15:7). This is how we align ourselves with Christ.

Avoid the Harmful (Prov. 23:20–21)

Paul's discussion in Romans 14–15 regarding food, drink and judgment is a very helpful guide on these issues. He rightly balances the twin temptations of legalism and license. On the one hand, Christians should be very careful about going too far in creating questionable prohibitions, however sincere and well intentioned. On the other hand, Christians should avoid careless exercise of permission on consequential decisions. Paul's call for caution in these areas echoes principles expressed in the Book of Proverbs. In Proverbs 23, the student is instructed to avoid behavior that will be detrimental to the goal of a God-fearing life. These instructions include avoiding a lust for wealth, proper treatment of the less fortunate and discipline of children (vv. 1–14). A heart focused on pleasing God guides proper decisions on these things and reduce the deceptive allure of illicit choices (vv. 15–19). Of course, these deceptions include the excesses of drunkenness and gluttony. These temptations offer short-term, fleeting pleasure but are ultimately self-destructive. Such self-destruction also causes deep disappointment for one's family and community (vv. 22–26), as well as personal embarrassment (vv. 29–35).

Adopt the Beneficial (Dan. 1:8, 11–16)

In Romans 15:4, Paul points out the importance of learning from examples in the Bible.Daniel is one case in point as he repeatedly models discipline and faithfulness in the face of repeated temptations and persecution. He consistently values God's approval over human opinion, rightly following the instructions given in Proverbs 23. This begins with his refusal of the king's food and drink (Dan. 1:8–16). Daniel reminds us that all our choices should be an expression of gratitude to God. Indeed our decisions should always reflect our ultimate accountability to God (Rom. 14:12).