WHO HAS THE POWER?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20

Verse 12: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Some of the sin that people commit is not as much a matter of their activity, as it is a matter of the effect of their activity on them. For example, it would usually be ridiculous to say that the activity of  eating food is sinful. In fact eating is something we need to do to sustain our bodies. Also a meal can be an important family time, or a way to observe a special occasion. Handling our food intake in special ways, including fasting, is sometimes a manner of serious preparation. On the other hand,  when eating food becomes gluttony, it is a sin. One definition for gluttony is “riotous eating”. This definition implies loss of control over eating. The difference between appropriate eating and gluttony, is a matter of control. The same is true of many other activities. When the activity controls the person, God’s dominion is abandoned and sin results. Therefore the verse quoted above applies. We, like Paul, must not give power to our activities. Dominion should be granted only to Almighty God. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How can you understand what is helpful?

2. What safeguards will help you to avoid giving power to activities?