“I recognize that just because I am free to do something as a believer doesn’t mean I should. First Corinthians teaches that all things may be lawful, but not all things are helpful. When the Bible doesn’t give me a clear black and white ‘thumbs down' regarding a certain activity, how can I discern whether it is wise to do it?”
This question is a composite of numerous inquiries I’ve received over the years. Most maturing believers are sold that the allowed thing isn’t necessarily the wise thing. So how do we determine what is wise in areas of freedom? Well, even as Paul makes a case for the wise assessment of such freedoms, he also gives some help that we may use to discern where and when we may want to abstain from certain “lawful” activities.
There are two places in 1 Corinthians where the apostle addresses the idea that “all things are lawful.” In my view, the ESV rightly places those words in quotations marks; there is evidence that some of the issues addressed by Paul in the letter are responses to questions raised in an earlier letter he received from the Corinthians (1 Cor 7:1). So, it is possible that in some way the issue of Christian freedom has been posed to Paul, with the idea that “all things are lawful.” It is also possible that the Corinthians have misunderstood earlier teaching from Paul on Christian freedom, have summarized that teaching as “all things are lawful,” and now Paul seeks to clarify and correct.
Before looking at Paul’s teaching in the book, two critical clarifications. First, “lawful” in this context seems to refer to those activities not expressly forbidden or commanded in Scripture. In other words, “lawful” represents an area of freedom.
Second, it is not literally the case that ALL things are lawful. It is not lawful to use our faculty of speech in any way we please (Eph 4:29; 5:4; Jas 3:1-12). It is not lawful to steal (Eph 4:28; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Pet 4:15). There are a host of prohibitions and commands in the NT that direct the lives of believers. However, outside of those commands, there is freedom.
Now, Paul’s two quotations of the words, “all things are lawful” — in ch6 and in ch10 — are like bookends around the discussion. The whole section is worth your close attention. Space requires us to take a briefer look…
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12
Clearly, Paul indicates that some “lawful” activities should be avoided because they will not be spiritually beneficial, but may lead to some kind of idolatry or ungodly habit.
In light of this, we would be wise to evaluate a “lawful” activity with questions like:
- Will this be spiritually helpful to me?
- Might this come to dominate me or has it already?
- Will this in some way compromise my calling?
The answers to these questions, when considered with sober honesty, can provide very helpful direction.
Let’s reflect a bit longer on that last question, “Will this in some way compromise my calling?” Throughout Paul’s writings he seems eager to be a good steward of his role as an apostle. This is a godly impulse that we also should adopt. We may not be apostles, but by God’s sovereign hand we each have received roles that do require faithful stewardship. As elect exiles, as spouses, as parents, as employees, as employers, as church members, as citizens…we are expected to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we’ve been called. Each of these roles should influence how we view our engagement in otherwise “lawful” activities.
“Calling” will be multi-faceted for all of us, but may look different for me than for you. I’m using the term here to refer to the totality of a person’s God-given roles. Therefore, my calling is believer, husband, father, son, pastor, etc. I ask myself the above question with those particular roles in mind.
“Compromise” may include a wide range of possible outcomes. It could mean “cause catastrophic failure.” It could mean “set me at a disadvantage.” It could mean “distract me.” Anything that would make it more difficult to steward my roles/calling or that would lessen my effectiveness could be considered “compromise.”
So, to ask “will this in some way compromise my calling?” may be to ask:
- Will taking on this lawful hobby make me less effective as a husband?
- Will accepting this lawful job set me at a disadvantage as a discipler of my children?
- Will devoting time to this lawful TV show/movie/book pour cold water on my devotional pursuit of the Lord?
- Will buying this lawful ___________ divert my attention from faithful service as a church member?
If the answer to any such question is yes, that activity can be placed in the “unhelpful, unwise, possibly-dominating” column.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 1 Corinthians 10:23
I may be able to say about a given freedom, “this doesn’t look like it’s going to dominate me in any way. Nor does it look like it’s going to get in the way of my roles/calling.” That’s good, but it shouldn’t be taken as an automatic green light. In the near context 1 Cor 10:23, the apostle argues that some lawful activities should be avoided because of the ramifications for others.
Therefore, another good question for assessing that same freedom: what will this mean for those around me?
To be more specific:
- Will my taking part in this lawful activity influence a fellow Christian to violate their conscience?
- Will my participation in this lawful event make my unbelieving neighbor less likely to entertain my conversations about the gospel?
- Will my commitment to this new lawful activity allow for fewer resources to engage in discipleship and evangelism?
If the answer to any such question is yes, that activity is almost certainly not one that "builds up".
For those concerned about the mission of the church and good stewardship, the final issue is not, “Is it lawful?” The above questions may help us in determining if a lawful thing is beneficial, edifying, and wise.
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