Legal, But Immoral
Brian Kenyon

On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds entered the record books by blasting his 756th career home run. However, as anyone who even casually follows sports knows, his record is questioned by many because of his alleged anabolic steroid use. Legally, Barry Bonds may be fine. He has never tested positive for these performance enhancing drugs. Some say that even if Barry Bonds used steroids, it would not have been wrong because at the time they were not illegal, and Major League Baseball did not have a strict steroid use policy. After all, what athlete would not want to have as much of an "edge" as possible? Be that as it may, this whole issue reminds us that just because something may be legal does not mean that it is moral. God is the only true standard of morality, and any laws governing actions that go against His word are immoral, even though such actions may be perfectly legal. Let us examine a few examples.

Gambling

Throughout this generation, legalized gambling has grown in popularity. Not only do many states in the USA have a lottery, but casinos are popping up in almost every major city. Consider also the growing number those involved in professional sports (players, referees, etc.) who have admitted guilt and/or been convicted of gambling. Even if the gambling were legal, even the world recognizes a problem when a sports figure bets money against his own team!

Gambling has been defined as the act of risking what is ours to get what belongs to another without giving anything in return. Gambling is a form of swindling. It would be impossible for casinos and gambling houses to stay in business if the overall odds were not heavily stacked against the gamblers. Where do you think they get the money for payoffs? The overwhelming majority of gamblers must (and will) lose their money!

Those who think gambling is not wrong should note some Biblical principles that are violated by it. First, gambling violates the Scriptural work ethic. The Lord wants each of us to "labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Eph. 4:28). Those who do not support themselves by upright means "walk disorderly" and are to be refused fellowship (cf. 2 Thes. 3:6-15). Second, gambling involves covetousness, which is a yearning to possess something belonging to someone else (cf. Ex. 20:17). Paul pronounced woe upon those whose priority is to be rich (1 Tim. 6:5-19). The covetous cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Third, gambling violates the Scriptural principle of stewardship. Everything belongs to God (Ps. 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:26). Material possessions are given to us by God, and we must use them according to His will (cf. Acts 5:1-4). God will hold us accountable for the way we used (or misused) our material blessings (cf. Lk. 12:15-21). Fourth, gambling violates the Scriptural principle of love. A practical definition of agape love is seeking the highest good for others (cf. Jn. 3:16). It is in this way that we can even love our enemies (Mt. 5:44). It is impossible to do this by gambling (cf. Mt. 7:12). How can gambling fulfill First Corinthians 13:4-7 or Romans 13:8-10? Gambling may be legal, but it is certainly immoral!

Alcohol

The "recreational" use of alcoholic beverages seems to be a part of our culture. Although we have laws against "under age" drinking and drunk driving, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is legal. However, the Bible teaches that the non-medicinal use of alcohol is sinful, and thus immoral (cf. Pr. 20:1; 23:29-35; Hab. 2:15). Countless lives have been tragically affected as a result of alcohol-physical abuse, broken families, vehicular homicides, liver disease, etc. Those who think that only drunkenness is sinful, but the "moderate" use of alcohol is okay should consider Peter's statement: "Dearly beloved...abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11). Who would deny that the consumption of alcohol is a fleshly lust? Who would deny that the consumption of alcohol "wars against the soul"? Drinking alcohol may be legal, but it is immoral.

Adultery

Jesus said, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Mt. 19:9). The statement is clear and plain, despite the numerous attempts to explain it away. Yet, in this country the laws are such that getting a divorce for any reason is very easy. Most state divorce certificates simply put "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for divorce, even if fornication was involved. Divorce by itself is tragic, but adultery enters the picture when one divorced for any reason other than fornication remarries, or when anyone marries a person who has been divorced, unless the divorced person was the innocent of fornication spouse in a Scriptural divorce (Mt. 19:9). Civil law has no right to "put asunder" what "God hath joined together" (Mt. 19:6)! Many people are thus living in adultery, yet it is perfectly legal. However, adultery is sin (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:19), and adulterers cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Though adultery is legal, it is still immoral!

Homosexuality

One of the biggest social battles the church is facing and will continue to face is homosexuality. The world is trying to convince us that homosexuality is fine if that is the lifestyle people choose. The pressure is on for states to fully legalize homosexual marriages and other "gay rights." However, the Bible is clear: the practice of homosexuality is sin! God has condemned it in all three ages of human history: in the Patriarchal age (Gen. 13:13; 18:23; 19:1-15); in the Mosaic age (Lev. 18:22; 20:13); and in the Christian age (1 Cor. 6:9). Additionally, every Biblical condemnation against fornication, which is any sexual interaction not authorized by God, is a condemnation against the practice of homosexuality (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 5:19). The practice of homosexuality may be legal, but it is undeniably immoral!

Conclusion

We are in the world, but not of the world (cf. Jn. 17:15). Our culture and legal system make it easy to be lulled into sin. However, we must live by the principle that God's law is above man's (Acts 5:29).