1 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 23 – 24 (NIV)
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
We hear so much these days about people exerting their rights. Sometimes doing so is at the expense of something, or perhaps even someone else. But here we see that in fact it’s nothing new. It was an issue during the New Testament times too.
Paul gives us clear teaching on when it’s appropriate to exercise our rights – when it is beneficial and constructive to do so.
But as Ambassadors of Christ, Paul also reminds us that seeking to benefit from exercising our rights shouldn’t be what’s uppermost in our thoughts. We should be seeking the good of others. If we do that then it will always be beneficial and constructive. But sometimes it’s hard not to want our own views and needs to be top of the list. That’s when we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction. He knows best what’s beneficial and constructive for us all.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this reminder that Your ways are higher than ours. Help me therefore remember that there are times it’s appropriate for me to die to self so that others can see Jesus. I ask in His Name. Amen.