Unmarried Couples Going Camping

[Berean]

Is there any differance between umarried persons (male & female) going camping and unmarried couples going on mission trips abroed?

 

[Steven2006]

Since the Bible tells us to abstain from every appearance of evil, then it is sin for a non married couple to sleep in the same tent together.

By sleeping in the same tent, even if there is no intimate contact, the have not abstained from the appearance of that which is evil in God's eyes... thus disobeying God's Word; i.e., sinning.

I addressed this verse early in the thread.

I like how the NASB translates this verse. I think it does a better job at conveying the real meaning of the verse.


"Abstain from ever form of evil." 1 Th 5:22


Basically whenever evil appears, in any form we should flee from it. This is the real message of that verse.


My basic point in this thread is not that everyone should be doling this, but that I wouldn't automatically condemn someone for doing so, or call it a sin. I still believe it really depends on the two individuals and the circumstances whether they should or shouldn't ever do so.

 

[rbell]

Is there any differance between umarried persons (male & female) going camping and unmarried couples going on mission trips abroed?

umm...yes.

The privacy issue is better handled.

Sleeping arrangments are usually very clearly delineated.

These are nothing alike, for the most part.

 

[menageriekeeper]

IMO, its not any of the author of the OP's business unless the girl that is being gossiped about asked for advice.

This is a matter of personal responsibility and Christian liberty.

It's not going to "ruin her reputation" because reputation are no longer based on how one handles s*x, but on how one lives their lives as a whole. He who is without sin gets to cast the first stone.

Everyone sins. To be sooooo focused on avoiding one particular sin, allows one to ignore all the other sins that are going on in ones life "that aren't so bad".

The sin we need to be focused on is that of rejecting Christ. That's the one that costs one their soul. All these other sins don't even come close to the consequences of rejecting one's only hope.

Before we go around telling people, "well so and so is going camping with her boyfriend and I told her not to. It just looks bad" we need to realize that we are implying that they must be sinning or they wouldn't think of going camping together. And that implication falls under the scriptures concerning gossip.

We need to think about what we are saying. Because you or I couldn't control our hormones while out in the woods in a tent, doesn't mean someone else can't. We ought to be ashamed of transferring our weaknesses onto other people. People in the church wouldn't have to worry about what "looks bad" if other people in the church didn't have minds focused on sinfulness themselves and mouths that love to run!

'nuff said.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

That's over the top.

Everyone likes to use these kinds of passages to condemn their pet peeves that they cannot find clear biblical condemnation of.

If you're going to use this passage this way, I could say, using the name "steadfast fred" seems to imply a sense of holier than thou due to the fact that it boasts of one's own steadfastness. The Bible clearly says, "Let another man boast of you and not you yourself". To have a name like that may not actually violate that passage in Proverbs but it APPEARS to. Since it appears to and we are to avoid the APPEARANCE of evil- you name for yourself is- SIN!!

But of course that is utterly ridiculous. So is the way many people use this passage.

I don't think it is wise to occupy the same tent this way; but sin? Not so.

Actually, the steadfast in my screen name is not lifting myself up, it is a reminder that I am unmovable in many of my core beliefs.

Being steadfast is not evil, so there is no appearance of evil in saying I am steadfast in my beliefs. It is no different than Paul saying, "I lie not." (Ro 9:1) Was Paul boasting? Certainly not!

And neither am I.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Is there any differance between umarried persons (male & female) going camping and unmarried couples going on mission trips abroed?

Are they staying in the same room?

 

[freeatlast]

Is there any differance between umarried persons (male & female) going camping and unmarried couples going on mission trips abroed?

There is a big difference in sleeping in the same tent or even room. If this young woman wants to go campling that is fine, but she needs to have her own tent and not one that is see through.

 

[jaigner]

There is a big difference in sleeping in the same tent or even room. If this young woman wants to go campling that is fine, but she needs to have her own tent and not one that is see through.

So if she's wearing clothing and is covered up in a sleeping bag, her tent needs to be opaque? Ding, ding, ding. There's the legalism meter.

 

[menageriekeeper]

If this young woman wants to go campling that is fine, but she needs to have her own tent and not one that is see through.

Here again, why is it one always thinks the worst will happen? How did we get ourselves into the bondage to the appearance of things?

Ya'll watch to much tv or something.

 

[freeatlast]

So if she's wearing clothing and is covered up in a sleeping bag, her tent needs to be opaque? Ding, ding, ding. There's the legalism meter.

It has been my experience that when someone stands against even the idea of holiness they call another a legalist. Thank you! I realize suggesting that having her own tent is way over the line in today's world and the mind set of the people and it does infringe on her right to look to the world as a slut and bring dishonor on the Lord, even if she is not actually engaged in immorality. If I were a betting person, and I am not, I would bet that these people would not like Jesus if they would meet Him in person. He sort of stomps on our rights and calls for us to surrender to His! Ding, ding, ding.

 

[freeatlast]

Here again, why is it one always thinks the worst will happen? How did we get ourselves into the bondage to the appearance of things?

Ya'll watch to much tv or something.

The worst happens when she craws into the tent with her boyfriend. Why is it that she cannot hold to the idea that she gives no space for dishonor? The reason is we love our rights above the Lord.

 

[Steven2006]

for those that believe that nobody ever in any situation should do this, I have a question.

Is it that you think that it is a sin to go camping as a couple, or do you think that it absolutely will lead to sin in doing so?

 

[dwmoeller1]

So if she's wearing clothing and is covered up in a sleeping bag, her tent needs to be opaque? Ding, ding, ding. There's the legalism meter.

Mine pegged out as well.

 

[dwmoeller1]

Here again, why is it one always thinks the worst will happen? How did we get ourselves into the bondage to the appearance of things?

Ya'll watch to much tv or something.

What!! Christians tolerate the evil of watching TV? They don't avoid the appearance of evil? Shocking... See, the problem with those who want to label this as sin will tend to refuse the same exact logic when applied to something they find acceptable. It is argued by some Christians that the Internet is evil and being on it is sin (at least for unsupervised men). Yet I am betting that some who are arguing that camping is sin are on the Internet w/o their wives looking over their shoulders the whole while.

Or watching TV, or kissing before marriage, or eating white bread, etc. etc. etc. All these things many Christians find to be unwise, even sinful, yet I am betting that many, if not most, of those arguing for sin on this thread would find these activities perfectly acceptable. These people who refuse the label of legalist (or worse, take pride in it) would likely apply the same label to other Christians who would call the activities they partake in a sin. The inconsistency is maddening.

 

[webdog]

Since the Bible tells us to abstain from every appearance of evil, then it is sin for a non married couple to sleep in the same tent together.

By sleeping in the same tent, even if there is no intimate contact, the have not abstained from the appearance of that which is evil in God's eyes... thus disobeying God's Word; i.e., sinning.

You have already been schooled on the intent of that passage you keep bringing up...why do you ignore it? It doesn't "appear" to be a sin to me, so does that make it not a sin to me?

 

[freeatlast]

for those that believe that nobody ever in any situation should do this, I have a question.

Is it that you think that it is a sin to go camping as a couple, or do you think that it absolutely will lead to sin in doing so?

For me neither. The scriptures say it this way.
1Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
And 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

In regards to this discussion this young woman has the lawful right to sleep in her boyfriend's tent. In fact she can even sleep in his sleeping bag, but does any of this edify? NO! I believe that as Christians we need to take every precaution to live holy. We should not put ourselves in positions that could become or be seem as compromising to our calling. For instance. I do not ride in a car alone with a woman other then a wife or daughter. I do not counsel a woman alone or from a closed door unless there is a very large window and someone is in clear view of all going on inside. There should be in anyone's life who claims to be a Christian a desire to show that the Lord that they claim to follow is Holy and that their life is one that mimics their Lord. This is sacrifice. They should be seeking to put into place any and all safeguards to keep this image and more then just an image, an actual life of purity and holiness. This is our duty. Those who are arguing for her rights/their rights are arguing against the Lord because we are to seek His righteousness not our rights even though something might be lawful.

 

[dwmoeller1]

You have already been schooled on the intent of that passage you keep bringing up...why do you ignore it? It doesn't "appear" to be a sin to me, so does that make it not a sin to me?

And conversely, if being on the Internet "appears" to be a sin to another Christian (which it does), does that make being here on the BB a sin? Does the fact that watching TV, kissing or holding hands before marriage, or listening to contemporary Christian music appear to be a sin to others make them sins?

 

[webdog]

I strongly believe that dating/engaged couples should avoid all appearances of evil and set boundaries to prevent themselves from falling into temptation. I don't think it is wise for a dating/engaged couple to be alone in a house because of temptations.

I am very concerned about someone because she wants to go camping with her boyfriend, her boyfriend's guy friend, and his girlfriend. They would sleep in the same tent. I don't think that is appropriate. Even if nothing happened, it still would look bad and her reputation could be ruined.

I'd like to hear people's thoughts about this.

You never said who this "someone" is or if they know their story is being broadcast worldwide. This entire thread is built on gossip...a sin. Try taking the mote out of your own eye first.

 

[webdog]

For me neither. The scriptures say it this way.
1Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
And 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

In regards to this discussion this young woman has the lawful right to sleep in her boyfriend's tent. In fact she can even sleep in his sleeping bag, but does any of this edify? NO! I believe that as Christians we need to take every precaution to live holy. We should not put ourselves in positions that could become or be seem as compromising to our calling. For instance. I do not ride in a car alone with a woman other then a wife or daughter. I do not counsel a woman alone or from a closed door unless there is a very large window and someone is in clear view of all going on inside. There should be in anyone's life who claims to be a Christian a desire to show that the Lord that they claim to follow is Holy and that their life is one that mimics their Lord. This is sacrifice. They should be seeking to put into place any and all safeguards to keep this image and more then just an image but an actual life of purity. This is our duty. Thos who are arguing for her rights are arguing against the Lord because we are to seek His righteousness not our rights even though something might be lawful.

You are engaged in gossip...a sin. To avoid the "appearance of evil", why are you involved in this thread?

 

[dwmoeller1]

For me neither. The scriptures say it this way.
1Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
And 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

In regards to this discussion this young woman has the lawful right to sleep in her boyfriend's tent. In fact she can even sleep in his sleeping bag, but does any of this edify? NO! I believe that as Christians we need to take every precaution to live holy. We should not put ourselves in positions that could become or be seem as compromising to our calling. For instance. I do not ride in a car alone with a woman other then a wife or daughter. I do not counsel a woman alone or from a closed door unless there is a very large window and someone is in clear view of all going on inside. There should be in anyone's life who claims to be a Christian a desire to show that the Lord that they claim to follow is Holy and that their life is one that mimics their Lord. This is sacrafice. They should be seeking to put into place any and all safeguards to keep this image and more then just an image but an actual life of purity. This is our duty.

That it may not be edifying from your perspective does not mean it is not edifying at all. Some believe posting on forums on the Internet to not be edifying. Does that mean you shouldn't be here? IOW, who gets to determine what is edifying and what is not for every person? If another can't determine whether or not posting on the BB is edifying and expect you to abide by their judgement, then how is it consistent for you to insist that you can do so for others?

So your version would seem to read like this: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any, but I have no problem trying to bring others under my power to determine what is edifying for them.