What Will Build Me Up

In review of 1 Corinthians 10:23 it says, “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.” (NLT)

Paul gives a simple rule of thumb to help in making a decision: I should be sensitive and gracious. The goal here is not a general hypersensitivity that worries about what others might possibly think. Rather, it is a genuine awareness of others and willingness to limit what we do when there is a real possibility of misunderstanding and offense. Some actions may not be wrong, but they may not be in the best interest of others. I have freedom in Christ, but I shouldn't exercise my freedom at the cost of hurting a Christian brother or sister. I am not to consider only myself; but also consider the needs and perspectives of others.

I make many decisions every day. Most are ones I don’t even need to think about, like deciding to brush my teeth or to fill up my almost-empty gas tank. Others are matters of right or wrong, where I can rely on the wisdom of the Bible and my conscience.

Sometimes, though, I have to decide between a good option and a best option. In situations like that, I can use the Improvement Test.

The Improvement Test asks: Will this make me a better person?

The Bible talks about this: “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial..” (1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT)

Notice in that verse the freedom I have. But as a Christian, even though I can do something, it may not be beneficial for me; not everything builds me up. Some things are not necessarily wrong, they’re just not necessary or the best.

Most choices I make in life are not between good and evil. I don’t get up in the morning and ask, “Shall I read my Bible, or shall I commit a crime?” I need to have a higher standard than right and wrong. I need to use the Improvement Test and ask what will make me a better person.

Do you know more about TV characters than about the people in the Bible, or even the people in my life? Maybe I spend hours reading books or watching TV, that fill my mind with things that don’t matter. Or I fill your weekends sitting on the couch watching and doing nothing. In today’s world, many people throw away countless hours staring at their phones.

Are these things always bad? No. Are they mostly a waste of time? Absolutely! Will they make me a better person? Absolutely not! So, the reality is, many, including myself are spending lives on second-class causes. But I don’t have to.

So as I make choices every day, don’t ask: Is there anything wrong with this? Instead, ask: Is this making me a better person?

I shouldn’t just coast along, filling up my life with things that aren’t the best. Instead, take the things I spend your life on and hold them up against God’s Word to see if they’re the best.

In summary, I am allowed to do anything,” but not everything is good for or beneficial. I need to be sensitive and gracious. it is a genuine awareness of others and willingness to limit what we do when there is a real possibility of misunderstanding and offense. Some actions may not be wrong, but they may not be in the best interest of others. I am not to consider only myself; but also consider the needs and perspectives of others. I have to decide between a good option and a best option. In situations like that, I can use the Improvement Test. Will this make me a better person? Even though I can do something, it may not be beneficial for me; not everything builds me up. Some things are not necessarily wrong, they’re just not necessary or the best. Ask: Is this making me a better person?  I shouldn’t just coast along, filling up my life with things that aren’t the best. Instead, take the things I spend your life on and hold them up against God’s Word to see if they’re the best.

Father, this is a great reminder for me as I consider what I should do with my time when I’m not working. I need to focus on that which will make me a better person, someone who makes a difference in the lives of others. I pray Father to focus on this and for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my decisions, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus name, Amen.