Can something we do or think be permissible but not beneficial? That’s possible. In 1 Corinthians 10:23, we are told, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.” Why should this be so?
Let’s see a few examples. For the Christian, watching T.V. is permissible. But if such watching goes on for 6 consecutive hours with you merely switching channels just to pass the time then it is not beneficial. Some of the time spent watching T.V. could have been used to read the Bible, call someone to encourage them, visit someone who is lonely, or help out a neighbor.
Listening to secular music and watching all kinds of entertainment is permissible but is it beneficial? Remember, everything that goes in will come out in our way of thinking, our speech, and our actions. Garbage in - garbage out.
Eating ice cream is permissible but eating 3-5 bowls of it is not beneficial to your body.
Smoking cigarettes is permissible but not beneficial to the health of your body.
Playing golf as a recreation is permissible. But if your golf games take you away from your wife and children, then it is not beneficial. However it will be constructive if your wife and the children also join you in the same game and you have a time of bonding together.
I could go on and on..
Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. This body of ours is a masterpiece, an amazing creation of God. It is not to be thought of as an empty soda can to be tossed away. The Bible says one day this body will be resurrected and changed. We will not receive a new body but the body we have will be transformed. We need to treat this body with respect. Many of us take better care of our cars then our own bodies.
As parents and caretakers we are protectors over what is permissible and what is beneficial for young children. We tell them no when they want that 2nd or 3rd ice cream, we limit their T.V. time, we make sure they get enough rest. Then why oh why do we care more about their bodies then our own?
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
We are accountable for what we do with our bodies, and how we spend our time. We are not our own. We were bought with a price.
