Practice Self-Control

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

Paul was speaking to the things that the church in Corinth was experiencing at the time.  Issues with teaching, division and immorality were some of the problems they were dealing with.  Paul clearly calls them to have a sense of self-control, as evidenced in this verse, seemingly telling them “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

APPLICATION:

This is one of the verses that seems to be universal.  It applies to EVERYONE.  Just because you are able to do something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is beneficial or constructive for you.

When I read this verse, I am immediately reminded of the much younger version of myself.  There were so many things that I did that damaged my body.  While there were no laws in place regarding such things as eating, I would often consume tons of fatty foods, processed foods and sweets.  Often times into the late hours of the night.

Hanging out with some of my friends, this just seemed to be the norm.  We would go out to dinner somewhere, head over to a friend’s house and hang out and eat anything and everything, and then hit a drive through on the way home.  Years later, I would come to regret my habits as my Doctor would tell me that my latest bloodwork revealed the years of damage that I had done.

I think of it this way.  There are no laws in place stopping you from going to the store and buying 3 gallons of ice cream, several bags of potato chips and soda, and then heading home to eat it all.  However, it wouldn’t be a good idea and you would end up getting sick.

You have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial.  Whether it’s food or other things, I need to keep in mind that just because I can, it doesn’t mean I should.

PRAYER: