“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Cor. 10:23).
There are many things in life of which we may partake without committing sin. But some of these seemingly harmless things may impede our spiritual progress and therefore “are not expedient.” Certain attitudes and habits and companionships do not contribute to our spiritual well-being; they are not conducive to a close walk with the Lord. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God,” making sure that we are not “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” “Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” “Do all to the glory of God.”
I have liberty in the Lord
To live a life that is free,
But His love holds me in bondage,
And constrained my life must be.
Gal. 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16; Luke 8:14; 2 Tim. 2:4; 1 Cor. 8:9; 6:12; 10:31.