Permissable but not beneficial

[Shimon]

Agreed Paul. I believe that many situations in life can be dealt with by applying that principle. At the same time, we must be careful not to read into Scripture what is not there. For example, the sin of Onan was not spilling his seed on the ground, but rather that of disobedience. By spilling his seed, he was failing to provide an heir for his brother as commanded by his father, Judah.

 

[cnystrom]

For example, the sin of Onan was not spilling his seed on the ground, but rather that of disobedience. By spilling his seed, he was failing to provide an heir for his brother as commanded by his father, Judah.

I believe you are correct in your understanding of this.

 

[Who is like God?]

For example, the sin of Onan was not spilling his seed on the ground, but rather that of disobedience. By spilling his seed, he was failing to provide an heir for his brother as commanded by his father, Judah.

You hit the nail on the head. I often think that people try to get more out of a verse or even a group of verses then what is really ther. I have found that a lot of individuals do this with me when we talk about polygamy. Such as blaming David's problems in life after adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah on polygamy.

I also think that the context of those verses is very helpful in that it explains that we should do all things with thanks giving in our hearts and for the good of others that those others may be saved. ... be not mastered by anything.

We need to be careful not to get the cart before the ox as well. Remember the Lord said that the Sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath.