By Brother Michel Lankford
The answer to this question largely depends on a number of factors:
- It DEPENDS on WHAT you are being a fan of exactly?
- It DEPENDS on WHY you are being a fan of this person or thing exactly? What are you enjoying about this person or thing?
- Are you enjoying and delighting in someone or something or something that is practicing evil or wickedness in God’s sight?
- Is your being a fan of this person or thing adversely affecting your relationship with YHWH and with Messiah?
- Is your being a fan of this person or thing adversely affecting your vital relationships with other people?
- Is your being a fan of this person or thing causing you to VIOLATE Biblical Commandments or instructions?
- Is your being a fan of this person or thing causing you to lose self control; where your time, your talent, or your treasure?
If the honest answer to any of these questions is YES, then YES, your ‘Fanhood’ would be crossing the line into sin. Conversely, if the honest answer to any of these questions is NO, then it would NOT be a sin to be a fan of that person or thing. You would then be rightly free to enjoy that person’s talent as much a you like.
The answer to these questions matter a lot, especially in this case. Here is one instance where appetite and motives will make all the difference between whether something is sin, or whether something is actually Righteous, depending upon the truly answers to these questions.
If you are a fan of the devil, for example, or a fan of people who actively serve the devil, then yes, that would be a sin, because then you’re not separating yourself from unrighteousness; because you would be helping to further the devil and his kingdom of darkness.
Please don’t forget that we have clear Instruction telling us that we’re supposed to be holy. That means set apart until yet. In everything that we do in everything that we do, we’re supposed to glorify YHWH.
As It Is Written: “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14–16 NKJV)
As It Is Written: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV)
We also have clear instruction from the apostle Paul:
As It Is Written: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 NKJV)
Is being a fan of his person or thing causing you to violate any of the Standards in Scripture? Is being a fan of this person or thing causing you to violate the Standards and Instructions in 1 Peter 1:14-16?
Is being a fan of this person or thing causing you to violate the Standards and Instructions in 1 Corinthians 10:31?
Is being a fan of this person or thing causing you to violate the Standards and Instructions in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1?
If being a fan of this person or thing is causing you to violate any of these Scriptural Standards, then the answer is yes, that would be a sin, because you are violating Godly instruction and Standards.
The bottom line is if you’re a fan of things that are ungodly, you are violating clear new Testament Instructions. You’re violating Scripture, which is the definition of sin. If on the other hand, you are a fan of YHWH Almighty God, and you’re a fan of His Son, the Messiah, and of those who love and serve Him, then no, that would not necessarily be a sin, unless you’re being a fan of that grew to the point of an absolute obsession.
Please do not forget that we are still expected to cooperate with God, and build the fruit of self-control in our lives and produce that fruit with God’s help.
So if you’re going outside the bounds of healthy self control, then yes, it can become a sin because you’re not producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit at that point. So any blessing that God allows us to have can become a sin. If we allow it to go to extremes and become obsessive or become excessive about it, everything should be done with balance and moderate.
Moderation and self control are synonymous in scripture, enjoying someone’s talent and being entertained by their abilities might not be a sin until you take it too far. Unless you exalted the person to the point where they became an idol in your life, then yes, that would be taking, being a fan too far, and that would cross over into sin.
It is not a sin to love and honor, what is good, but it would be a sin to honor what God considers evil, and we see that in Psalm 15
As It Is Written: “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:1–5 NKJV)
So let’s take a look closely at the list. What do we have to do to dwell in YHWH’S Household?
– He who walks with integrity,
– One who works righteousness
– One who speaks truth in his heart.
– He does not slander with his tongue,
– He does not do evil to his neighbor.
– He does not take up reproach against a friend, meaning that he is not quick to believe a bad report about a friend.
– In whose eyes a **reprobate is despised** `in short a reprobate is someone who thoroughly delights and enjoys practicing What YHWH Says is wicked, without repenting` or turning away from such things. Such a person should be despised by anyone who loves Abba-YAH and His Righteousness.
– Who honors those who reverence YHWH.
– He swears to his own hurt and does not change.
– He does not put out his money at interest.
– He does not take a bribe, but especially he does not take a bribe to harm the innocent.
– **He who does these things will never be shaken.**
God is not offended by our enjoying things that he created. He created them to be enjoyed. We see that in first Timothy chapter six, verse 17, just as it is written, instruct those who are rich in the present world, not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of race. But on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
That’s 1 Timothy 6:17. So, it is not to enjoy the blessings that God allows you to have. It’s okay to enjoy them within the confines of what scripture teaches the question would then be, are you allowing what you enjoy to become an obsession and inordinate? Is the thing that you were enjoying taking too much of your time.
Is it taking too much of your talent? Is it taking too much of the provision and the treasure that Arba has provided you to have? Is it endangering or damaging or interrupting or harming your relationship with and your relationship with Messiah? Are you compromising biblical standards in order to grow in your hobby or in order to become a better fan of this person?
Is the thing that you are enjoying adversely affecting good and proper relationships that God has put in your life, such as having good relationships with your spouse. Good relationship with your children. Good relationship with your brothers and sisters in your way. And in Messiah is a drawing you away from the things that God wants you to do with your time and your time.
If the answer is yes to any of those things, then yes, you’re crossing over into sin. Otherwise you’re free to enjoy whatever God permits according to His Word. I hope that that answers your question.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Brother Michel Lankford