1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Observations:

Paul informs the church in Corinth that all things are lawful. (12a)

Paul informs the church in Corinth that all things are not profitable. (12b)

Paul informs the church in Corinth again that all things are lawful. (12c)

Paul informs the church in Corinth of a conjunction contrast of but. (12d)

Paul informs the church in Corinth that he will not be mastered. (12e)

Paul informs the church in Corinth that he will not be mastered by anything. (12f)

 

Commentary:

There are a number of things that are technically legal in our society, but it doesn’t mean that my freedom of will to choose is spiritually appropriate and helpful to me or other’s well-being.  We must be careful to avoid becoming a slave to a lack of spiritual discipline.  A lack of spiritual discernment results in our choices controlling us, and being susceptible to any form of practice or doctrine.

 

Living Word OP(portunity):

1. What are the areas in your life where you’ve made earthly instead spiritual investments?
2. In God’s economy have you been making deposits or withdrawals?  What spiritual patterns are necessary to get out of the red?
3. How does your life represent a difference from the world? (a but ideology)
4. What do you have to gain by sacrificing your own desires for God’s will?
5. What patterns are bankrupting our witness and souls?