Casting lots is not inherently a sin; the Bible shows it as a legitimate practice for discerning God’s will, settling disputes, and removing bias when human wisdom is insufficient. However, misusing lots through superstitious practices, or in a context of gambling, can be sinful. While God was believed to control the outcome of lots (Proverbs 16:33), the New Testament indicates this practice is no longer necessary for Christians to discern God’s will, as the Holy Spirit now guides believers.
When Casting Lots is NOT a Sin:
- Seeking God’s Will: In the Old Testament and early New Testament church, casting lots was a solemn way to determine God’s will in matters that couldn’t otherwise be resolved.
- Fairness and Impartiality: The practice was used to remove human bias and make decisions based on fairness when outcomes were equally desirable or required an impartial choice.
- Divine Guidance: The biblical understanding was that God, not chance, ultimately directed the outcome of the lot.
When Casting Lots IS a Sin:
- Superstitious Divination: Using lots as a form of magic, divination, or to seek personal gain in a superstitious way is considered sinful.
- Gambling: When lots are used in a context of betting or for the false hope of winning money, it aligns with the biblical condemnation of gambling, which can lead to greed and destructive consequences.
- Abuse and Idolatry: Any abuse of casting lots, or using it in a way that replaces genuine trust in God’s word and guidance, can become a form of idolatry.
Modern Context for Christians:
- Holy Spirit’s Guidance: After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit provides believers with direct guidance, making the practice of casting lots for discernment unnecessary.
- Reliance on Scripture: Christians are now meant to discover God’s will by prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
- Shifting from Supernatural Revelation: With the completion of the Bible’s canon, God’s will is fully revealed in His written Word, rather than through direct, supernatural means like lot casting.
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Ligonier Ministrieshttps://learn.ligonier.orgShould we cast lots today to help us make decisions?
I would say no, because we are not under the direct prescription of God to cast lots as a way of discerning His will.
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Bible Study Toolshttps://www.biblestudytools.comDoes the Bible Condemn Casting Lots?
Jan 7, 2022 — Surprisingly the Bible does not actually condemn casting lots – if anything, in the Old Testament we could at best say the Bible is okay with it …
Purely Presbyterianhttps://purelypresbyterian.comThe Abuse of Casting Lots
Nov 25, 2022 — The abuse of casting of the lot is a sin of the third commandment. The casting of the lot is an extraordinary or unusual request made to God …
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Casting lots in the Bible involves using stones or a bag of stones to determine God’s will or solve problems. It’s no longer practiced due to the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.
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Since God is sovereign, can I cast lots to make decisions?YouTube · Southern SeminaryJan 31, 2017
Casting lots for decision-making is not necessary in the New Covenant. Instead, rely on the full revelation of God and the leading of the Spirit.
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Is Casting Lots Biblical?YouTube · smart christians channelSep 5, 2023
Casting lots in the Bible is a game of chance, not gambling. It was used to make decisions without rigging, but it’s not a preferred method for believers.
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Jan 6, 2020 — But is it a sin for Christians to cast lots, flip a coin, draw straws, etc., when making a decision? Maybe, but not necessarily.
GotQuestions.orghttps://www.gotquestions.orgWhat was the practice of casting lots?
Nov 22, 2024 — God allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation (Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:5,31). Various …
The Puritan Boardhttps://puritanboard.comIs the casting of lots lawful today?
Apr 18, 2023 — If you are casting lots, it must be agreed among all the the outcome is to be accepted. Casting multiple lots is like tempting God: you are …
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Desiring Godhttps://www.desiringgod.orgWhat Do You Think of Casting Lots to Determine God’s Will?
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Is casting lots a sin as divination?
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