How to know if something is both permissible and beneficial
A fantastic verse in the bible is 1 Corinthians 6:12, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.” Too many people live in the first half of that verse and ignore the second half. The results of living that way is enslavement to sin. Don’t settle for what’s permissible…strive for what is beneficial. Below are just a few ways to determine if something is both permissible AND beneficial
What does the Bible say?
If the bible says not to do something then don’t do it. That’s called a sin. But there are many things the Bible doesn’t talk about like smoking or buying a $200,000 car. My next points address what to do in those situations.
What does the government say?
If the law says not to do it then don’t do it. But know this, God’s standards are much higher than just not breaking civil laws.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s moral
There’s all sorts of sins that aren’t illegal: lying, greed, a lack of mercy, smoking, smoking pot, adultery, homosexuality, etc…Just because the government allows something, doesn’t mean God approves of it. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. Jesus taught we are free. What he means is not that we are free from obeying the laws, he means we are free to not sin.
What does your weakness require?
There are some areas in your life where you are weak and you must restrict your own freedom in those things even though they may be permissible. If you engage in activities where you are weak the ending result (according to the rest of the verse) is that you become enslaved. And while those activities may be permissible, they are not beneficial to you. A consistent refusal to say no to an enslaving habit (like overeating) runs the risk of hardening your conscience so that you no longer feel guilty for that enslavement. And soon the whole concept of self-denial and self-control drops out of your life.
What do others need from me?
In other words, make sure your choices are beneficial and loving towards others. As Americans we are very concerned with our rights (which is why so many people love the first half of the verse). But do you know what’s more important than your rights? Your responsibilities are. Do you know what’s more important than your freedoms? Your friends are. You are free to do many things. But remember that you are also free to deny your freedoms out of love for others.
