I won't brutalize myself over minor transgressions, but I will not excuse them either simply because they are minor. I will NOT debate with myself over what constitutes minor versus major profanity, for example. I try to purge that language from usage, and I am not always successful. But the bad habits I acquired can be undone if I want them undone, and that is all I am acknowledging. That is not burdensome or distracting.
To reinforce your point about “reason”, we most definitely must reason because not all of our choices are so crystal clear and often presented to us in very deceptive forms. For example, supporting a progressive income tax is, in my opinion, a direct violation of the 8th and 10th Commandments. I am not absolved because I elect a surrogate to steal on my behalf to satisfy my envious desire. I had to reach that by reason, but that reason had to have a foundation in scripture.
In the case of causing injury, scripture is very specific about that though it is not in the top 10 list. But nonetheless, I agree one can reach the same conclusion by reason. By the same line of reason we can acknowledge that most any action we take that recklessly jeopardizes life, such as drunken driving, is sinful, even if we “get lucky” and injure no one.
I doubt most Christians rely soley on their knowledge of scripture to determine right and wrong. I'll admit I can't not having that perfect a recollection of everything that is in scripture, so I rely on basic principles that I do know are scriptural.
We have strayed quite far from the topic of the original post but this has been a delightful and informative exchange for me and I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful contributions.
You’re right, I completely misunderstood what you were saying before. Sorry. Good post though.
Anyway, you’re right. We’ve hijacked the thread enough.