- Lawful vs. Beneficial
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. – 1 Corinthians 10:23
Most people have primary guiding principles by which they maintain their personal integrity. They range from social input to a “gut feeling” to persuasions of faith. Often, the principles and rules come from family values and moral standards. The problem is that you live in a fallen world, and the hearts of humans are corrupted (Jeremiah 17:9).
The character of the holy and righteous God is the standard on which the believer should base his or her personal “code of ethics and conduct.” His holy and perfect nature dictate the standard against which all actions and decisions ought to be rendered, and against which they are measured. His moral characteristics include love, righteousness, mercy, gentleness, truth, and justice. Some might say, “I’m not under law; I’m under grace,” as if to excuse themselves from following God’s highest standards. But Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
When you feel as though you are between a rock and a hard place on a moral or ethical decision, pray and let God’s Word guide you. An option available to you may be lawful, and even ethical. But does it build up others and glorify the Lord? You are an ambassador and an earthly representative of Christ. What you do is observed by others, whether or not they know of that relationship. Let your actions shine His light to those around you!
Intercede for the nation’s lawmakers and law enforcers and the decisions they make, that they would encourage, rather than hinder, a relationship with the Holy God.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:23
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
