“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
I Corinthians 10:23-24
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“Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”
In I Corinthians, the Holy Spirit points out a truth so significant, there is hardly any area of life it doesn’t influence.
To drive home the point, it is raised in the middle of a conversation about food—of all things.
The truth in I Corinthians 10:23 is absolutely profound and life-altering:
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, I can do anything I want. But some decisions benefit me and the Kingdom, others do not. We are wise then, to make decisions that bring benefit and are constructive as opposed to destructive.
We can spend our money today however we want, but there are some ways we can spend our money that bring greater benefit. Choose the latter.
We can spend our time this weekend however we want, but there are some ways we can spend our time that bring greater benefit. Choose the latter.
We can eat or drink anything we want today. But there are some decisions we can make that bring greater benefit. Choose the latter.
We can use any words we want today with our children or spouse. But there are some words that result in greater benefit. Choose the latter.
We can choose any entertainment source that we want today—but not every source of entertainment is beneficial.
“Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”
Of course, to help us even more, the Holy Spirit continues:
“Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
One question we should continually ask ourselves, in decisions both big and small, does this decision benefit others?
Because everything may be permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, my desire is for your will in my life. To that end, show me consistently and clearly what is beneficial to You and Your Kingdom. This is my passion—to serve you as best I can. Amen.