The concept of what is "allowable" in the Christian life is a topic that encompasses various aspects of moral, ethical, and spiritual decision-making. The Bible provides guidance on what is permissible for believers, often emphasizing the importance of discernment, love, and the edification of the body of Christ.

Biblical Principles

1. Freedom in Christ: The New Testament teaches that believers have freedom in Christ, yet this freedom is not a license to sin. In Galatians 5:13 , Paul writes, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love." This verse highlights that while Christians are free from the law's condemnation, their actions should be governed by love and service to others.

2. Edification and Stumbling Blocks: In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 , Paul addresses the issue of what is permissible: "'Everything is permissible,' but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible,' but not everything is edifying. No one should seek his own good, but the good of others." Here, the apostle emphasizes that not all allowable actions are beneficial or constructive, urging believers to consider the impact of their actions on others.

3. Conscience and Conviction: Romans 14:14 states, "I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean." This passage underscores the role of personal conviction and conscience in determining what is allowable. Believers are encouraged to respect the convictions of others, especially in matters of personal preference and disputable issues.

4. Avoiding Legalism: The early church grappled with the tension between Jewish law and Christian freedom. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council determined that Gentile believers were not required to follow the entirety of the Mosaic Law, focusing instead on a few essential prohibitions. This decision reflects the principle that what is allowable should not be dictated by legalism but by the leading of the Holy Spirit and the core tenets of the faith.

5. Cultural Sensitivity: In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 , Paul describes his approach to cultural sensitivity: "Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a servant to everyone, to win as many as possible." Paul’s adaptability in non-essential matters demonstrates the importance of considering cultural contexts when determining what is allowable, aiming to avoid unnecessary offense and to further the gospel.

Practical Application

Believers are called to exercise wisdom and discernment in determining what is allowable in their lives. This involves a careful consideration of Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The overarching principle is love—actions should be motivated by love for God and others, seeking to build up the church and advance the kingdom of God. In all things, Christians are encouraged to pursue holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their decisions and actions.1. (a.) Praiseworthy; laudable.

2. (a.) Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends.

Whether it is Allowable for a Menstruous Wife to Ask for the ...
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is allowable for a menstruous wife to ask for the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is allowable for.htm

It is Never Allowable to Tell a Lie; but Lies Differ Very Much in ...
... Chapter 18."It is Never Allowable to Tell a Lie; But Lies Differ Very Much
in Guilt, According to the Intention and the Subject. ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 18 it is never allowable.htm

A Lie is not Allowable, Even to Save Another from Injury.
... Chapter 22."A Lie is Not Allowable, Even to Save Another from Injury.
But every lie must be called a sin, because not only when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 22 a lie is not.htm

Whether Husband and Wife May be Reconciled after Being Divorced?
... Objection 2: Further, if it were allowable for them to be reconciled, the husband
would seem bound to receive his wife, especially after she has repented. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether husband and wife may.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... heard of men. For vain and earthly designs are no more allowable in our
employments than in our alms and devotions. They are not ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 28 upon our lords.htm

On Councils
... But in things which belong to the good order and eutaxian the discipline of the
church, it is allowable for the members attentively to consider the present ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lviii on councils.htm

The Enchiridion
... Chapter 18.--It is Never Allowable to Tell a Lie; But Lies Differ Very
Much in Guilt, According to the Intention and the Subject. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the enchiridion/

Article xxii (X): of Both Kinds in the Lord's Supper.
... testament? But if it is not allowable to annul man's testament, much less
will it be allowable to annul the testament of Christ. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 27 article xxii x .htm

He Infers from what He Has Said that the virgin Mary Gave Birth to ...
... For the power of God is not limited in regard to His own Person, as if what was
allowable to Him in the case of all others, was not allowable in His own case ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter ii he infers from.htm

A Natural Figure of Speech must not be Literally Pressed.
... Well, then, if it be allowable for this man to take the whole from a part in the
passage, "And man became a living soul," [2383] as if the spirit also was ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 28 a natural figure of.htm

Allowable (6 Occurrences)
... be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful
or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends. ...
/a/allowable.htm - 8k

Profitable (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:12 Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable.
Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave. ...
/p/profitable.htm - 17k

Poll-tax (4 Occurrences)
... NAS). Matthew 22:17 Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for
us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" (WEY NAS). Matthew ...
/p/poll-tax.htm - 7k

Profit (143 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:12 Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable.
Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave. ...
/p/profit.htm - 35k

Allowance (11 Occurrences)

/a/allowance.htm - 12k

Slave (148 Occurrences)
... A chance to rise was allowable in some instances, eg Eliezer, a foreign slave in
a Hebrew household, and Joseph, a Hebrew slave in a foreign household. ...
/s/slave.htm - 54k

Nazarite (8 Occurrences)
... But it seems to have been allowable for persons at a distance to cut the hair, which
was to be brought up to Jerusalem, where the ceremony was completed. ...
/n/nazarite.htm - 13k

Journey (214 Occurrences)
... sojourn in the wilderness. Hence, it must have been allowable to travel
thus far to attend the worship of the tabernacle. We do not ...
/j/journey.htm - 42k

Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... WEY). Matthew 22:17 Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for
us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" (WEY). Matthew ...
/j/judgement.htm - 26k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... While there are local varieties which some consider to be distinct species, it is
allowable to regard all the wolves of both North America, Europe, and ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

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