Expert: LEBoyd - 2/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Thank you for responding to me about a previous question I had. You clarified it perfectly! I have another one for you that I'm struggling with:

I'm a Christian as well as my husband. Our nephew (who is also a Christian) recently fell on financial bad times so we allowed him to move in with us. He's been in communication with a girl from across the states via the Internet. She says she's a Christian as well, and would like to come visit my nephew on an innocent and spiritual bases. Since he lives with us he asked if she could stay in our home in his room. He said he would sleep on the floor and she can sleep in his bed. My first problem with this is: he doesn't even know her and he wants to bring her in our home. The real question I have for you is; I know in the Bible it says it's a sin to even give the appearance of sin, but I can't seem to find the scripture. My husband and I have a teenage daughter and I don't want her to think that this is OK. I don't think my nephew is thinking impurely, but again it's the appearance of sin I'm having difficulties with. Can you please point me in the right Biblical direction that I can back my decision.

ANSWER: Marcia,

I think the stance you and your husband are thinking is correct.  In our society, it is difficult to explain why that an unmarried couple are staying in the same room.  I think your scriput is enough to support your stance.

Hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was hoping you can point me to the scripture that backs our decision. I looked on biblegateway and couldn't find it. I'm looking for how the appearance of sin, and to remove any temptation. Do you know these verses and can you point me in the right direction.
Thank you

Answer
Marcia,

Hmmm. If I understand your question correctly, you are looking for Scriptures that let you know how to recognize sin, thereby removing temptation. (If that's not your question, then this won't be the answer :)

The best scriptures for letting you know how to recognize sin (in my opinion) are the scriptures that describe what sin is.  Off the top of my head, I start with 1 John 2:16, that describes sin in 3 main categories (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and boastful pride).  From there, I go to several other scriptures that describe specific sins or attitudes.  Gal 5:19-20, 1 Cor. 9-10, Eph 5:3-5 and James 2:9 are just a few.  I also think of 1 John 5:17.

In the area of temptation, I'm not sure we can actually stop that from happening to us.  Heb. 4:15 tells us that not only was Jesus tempted (specific example in Matt 4), He was tempted in "all things as we are, yet without sin".  We have the example of Christ resisting temptation, and we also have 1 Cor 10:13.

Hope I understood your question and that this helps.