Q: So I should read the disclaimers because it is wiser and could save me time. I study the Bible a lot so I know this is something that I must continue doing, but I see a lot of these disclaimers every week (like maybe 5). A more accurate question, then, to my confusion is would not reading one of these disclaimers, if the checkbox at the end says "I read and hereby agree to the terms and conditions" is a SIN"? Even though I didn't read it, I do agree to the terms. Once again, I realize that your opinion is that I should read it; but strictly using the Bible, is it a sin?
A: The choice is yours on whether or not to read the disclaimers. My advice is that if you are going to say that you have read the disclaimers, the least you can do is read them. Honestly, this is not really a spiritual matter, but a practical matter. Most people are familiar with the long terms and conditions that are difficult to read. In fact, most of those same people probably do not read them either, yet say that they have read the terms and conditions. It is our laziness and desire to get on with using the product or service that is behind it all. Usually, there are no ill effects from agreeing to the terms without reading them. Regardless, God is not going to punish you if you fail to read the disclaimers whether it is a sin to read them or not. There is no Bible verse that specifically deals with reading disclaimers. An argument can be made that by saying you have read the terms and conditions, but have not actually read them, that you are engaging in a lie. Therefore, it could be considered a sin, given the context. It sounds like you are convinced in your mind already that it is a sin, so just read the disclaimers and ease your conscious. But, if you do not read them, God will not punish you. There is, however, something you should know about your sins.
Let us say that agreeing to have read the terms and conditions, when you have not read them, is a sin. What is the penalty for that sin? The Bible clearly states that "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)." Therefore, the penalty for your sin is to die! It is common amongst Christians to believe that in order to get forgiveness for our sins all we need to do is ask God to forgive us and He will. However, the Bible says that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)." So just asking God to forgive our sins does not meet His requirement of shed blood (death) to be forgiven. Furthermore, you do not even have a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for your sins. So, what do you do? You recognize the truth of what God has done with your sins. The Bible says that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)." Jesus Christ died nearly two thousand years ago. Every sin you will commit in your entire lifetime was forgiven long before you were even born. The death of Jesus Christ satisfied God for eternity! Therefore, what does that mean to you as far as your sins are concerned? 2 Corinthians 5:19 says "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them." God is not counting your sins against you.
A: The choice is yours on whether or not to read the disclaimers. My advice is that if you are going to say that you have read the disclaimers, the least you can do is read them. Honestly, this is not really a spiritual matter, but a practical matter. Most people are familiar with the long terms and conditions that are difficult to read. In fact, most of those same people probably do not read them either, yet say that they have read the terms and conditions. It is our laziness and desire to get on with using the product or service that is behind it all. Usually, there are no ill effects from agreeing to the terms without reading them. Regardless, God is not going to punish you if you fail to read the disclaimers whether it is a sin to read them or not. There is no Bible verse that specifically deals with reading disclaimers. An argument can be made that by saying you have read the terms and conditions, but have not actually read them, that you are engaging in a lie. Therefore, it could be considered a sin, given the context. It sounds like you are convinced in your mind already that it is a sin, so just read the disclaimers and ease your conscious. But, if you do not read them, God will not punish you. There is, however, something you should know about your sins.
Let us say that agreeing to have read the terms and conditions, when you have not read them, is a sin. What is the penalty for that sin? The Bible clearly states that "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)." Therefore, the penalty for your sin is to die! It is common amongst Christians to believe that in order to get forgiveness for our sins all we need to do is ask God to forgive us and He will. However, the Bible says that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)." So just asking God to forgive our sins does not meet His requirement of shed blood (death) to be forgiven. Furthermore, you do not even have a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for your sins. So, what do you do? You recognize the truth of what God has done with your sins. The Bible says that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)." Jesus Christ died nearly two thousand years ago. Every sin you will commit in your entire lifetime was forgiven long before you were even born. The death of Jesus Christ satisfied God for eternity! Therefore, what does that mean to you as far as your sins are concerned? 2 Corinthians 5:19 says "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them." God is not counting your sins against you.
Therefore, when you sin, your response is to say, "Thank you, Jesus." You thank Jesus because your sin is so terrible that it deserved the death of God to pay for it and Jesus, in His love, died in your place. And because of His death you, me and every Christian can now "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)." Instead of wondering if your dilemma about reading the terms and conditions is a sin, you can go directly to God and ask Him why am I so troubled about this situation? Then you can trust that He will deliver an answer that speaks directly to your circumstances. Do not forget that the Holy Spirit of God indwells you. The very life of God is yours for eternity. And the only reason that life you have is an eternal life is because God is not counting your sins against you. Remember, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7)." You do not get forgiven, you are forgiven. Live in thankfulness for what you have received as an inheritance of your faith.
My prayer is that the burden this situation is putting on you is lifted by the truth that your sins are not being held against you. At the very least you may learn something by reading the terms and conditions. It could protect you in the future, but at the very least you will have peace of mind. Ultimately, you need to know and believe that God is with you always because of your faith in Jesus Christ. Keep reading your Bible and may God continue to reveal to you the blessings you already have been given through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace.
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