In Romans, when Paul writes concerning what sin is for a Christian, he uses a word that has the meaning of “to thoroughly judge”, which is translated as “doubting” or “making a distinction”
But the one doubting, if perhaps, he should eat is condemned because it is not out from faith. And all which is not out from faith is sin. – Romans 14:23.
Since sin involves doing something that is not out from faith, doubting is questioning what is permissible. Therefore, when we do something that is contrary to what we have determined within our minds is permitted by God for us as Christians, we are not taking God at His Word. This involves a battle with the conscience, for it will either excuse or accuse us based upon our knowledge and actions (Romans 2:15). One who is doubting is thoroughly judging ways to get around their conscience to justify doing something that they know is wrong. Typically, this type of a situation comes about by the influence of others. We are instructed in Romans 14:1 to accept the weaker in the faith brother, but not for the purpose of thoroughly judging their beliefs. And neither is to seek to influence the other with the way they have chosen to separate themselves out to God (Romans 14:10). One may choose to abstain where the other does not. This is not permitting sin in the assembly, but how we each govern our own bodies before God.
James also uses this same word to describe someone who is not asking out from faith. Describing this type of a person as one who is like a wave of the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed (James 1:6). These are the ones who are tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men who seek to deceive them through traditions and philosophy.
We are to make distinctions between what is proper and what is wrong concerning our actions as we mature in Christ and train our senses (Hebrews 5:14). We do not live by law, but by grace through faith. Which means, we have to take the time to examine our actions and line them up with God’s will for our lives. He freed us from sin so that we can live righteously.
Do we have faith in God? Then let us live out our faith to God and not to men. As sons, we have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness and are expected to use this knowledge correctly to live out the righteousness that we now have in Christ. As we grow in our knowledge and understanding we will come to a oneness of the faith, but not all of us are at the same level of maturity, so let us respect and show love towards each other, ensuring we are not persuading someone to do something that is contrary to their conscience, or allowing others to influence us to act in a way that is contrary to our faith, while living the remaining time we have in the flesh not to the strong desires of humans who seek to fulfill the cravings of the flesh by traditions and philosophy, but by knowing and doing the desirous will of God (1 Peter 4:2).
