Just because something is ‘right’, or ‘correct’, that doesn’t always make it ‘helpful’.
For example, I like to help the homeless in various ways, but when there’s a street that (sadly) has homeless people along it’s length, I know I simply can’t help all of them. I used to go away feeling guilty about this. I can just hear the voice of the enemy whispering “well what about this one?” And “You missed that one”. But check out what Paul has to say in 1 Cor 6:12:
“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.”
This captures the idea of the law being attached to punishment. Not everything enshrined in law is good for us. Look at the contrast between “lawful” and “helpful”. The focus for us should always be on the “helpful”. If our reasoning for doing things is because it’s helpful, we’ll most likely have a more natural desire to do them, rather than doing them under duress, leading to compunction. That is so much more powerful than doing things out of duty! You’ll do them with the right motives, not because of the consequences, or punishments that will follow if they’re not done.
These consequences, or punishments, have the propensity to bring us under their power- you know, it’s that feeling of overpowering guilt. That’s why 1 Corinthians 6:12 says “I will not be brought under the power of them”. Think eating habits/diets. Many diets fail because of this legalistic mentality:
“I’ve put on a stone! ” = feel bad = comfort eating = more weight gain = punishment = work harder = eventually give up and try a new eating plan. 🥵
And so the cycle continues. All the while feeling bad about yourself. Now let’s contrast that with being “helpful” to yourself:
“I’m going to eat this because I enjoy it and it just happens to be good for me too”.
Or even:
“I’m going to eat this just because I enjoy it. Although it’s not particularly healthy, it’s not my every day way of eating”
= No punishment =
Feel good =
Liberated.
You are no longer “brought under the power” of legalism. And importantly, you’ll have a far more holistic approach to health, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.
Conclusion? Be helpful to yourself, not legalistic, and be FREE!
