“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
1 Corinthians 10:23

Because my sins have all been forgiven for Jesus’ sake, I’m free from rules that might condemn me. I can go anywhere I want and do whatever I want. I don’t have to go to church or tithe or read the Bible, or pray.

But if I want to be spiritually strong and healthy, there are some things that I’m better off leaving alone and some things to which I need to give attention.

And it’s not just for my own spiritual health, either. There are other people watching me who might follow my example. I might either strengthen them in good decisions that will help them, or destroy them by my bad example. The next verse says, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)

A couple of chapters earlier, he said it this way: “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9 )

Be careful. Stay close to Jesus. Don’t play with the devil’s toys.

Lord, forgive my unthinking, selfish, self-indulgent behavior. Help me to take these important things seriously and be strengthened myself, and strengthen others as well, by the choices I make. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles