When considering the topic of God’s will, we often only think about it in relation to big decisions such as what subjects we chose, what we do after school/further education or who we marry.
Yet every day we make small decisions about how we spend our spare time. What do you like doing when you are by yourself or with your friends? Are you wasting your time?
Two reasons to not waste our time:
1. Life is short, eternity is forever
a. James 4:14 “What is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.”
b. 2 Corinthians 4:18 “The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2. Christ died for us – to save us for a purpose.
a. Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
b. 1 Cor 6:19,20 “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price…”
c. See also 2 Cor 5:14,15
The Bible does not give a clear list of everything that is right and wrong. Many things that we spend our time on are not sinful, but are they the best use of our time?
We want to think about where we go, what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, who we spend time with, what we do with our phones/computers/games consoles, what we share with others, how much time we spend on social media/in front of screens, what we spend out money on.
Here are four questions to ask ourselves about how we are using our spare time:
1. Will it bring temptation to sin? Could it trip me up, or have a negative affect on my spiritual growth? (1 Cor 10:12)
2. Will what I do/where I go affect other believers? (1 Cor 8:9,12) Will it cause younger Christians to stumble or sin? Does it promote unity or gossip?
3. Will my actions hinder the gospel? Will it turn unbelieving friends/family away from Christ? Would it make it more difficult for me to witness to others? (1 Cor 9:12)
4. Will it bring glory to God? (1 Cor 10:31) Will it help me praise Him more? Will I be able to do it with a clear conscience before God? Is it compatible with God’s character?
What does the Bible suggest that we do in our spare time?
Romans 12:9-13
(NKJV) “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
“Comfort the feebleminded [fainthearted NKJV], support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Timothy 4:12-15
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation [conduct], in charity [love], in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee…”
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
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