“Gen Z For Christ” is a safe space for young Christian students in various institutions across the country; A community of Vibrant youths with a burning zeal for Christ to discuss scriptures and topical issues that affects young Christians.
We will be looking at the scripture from 1corinthians 10:23 and asking these young Christians their interpretations of the Bible verse in focus.
1Cor 10:23
“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.”
As a Christian, the above bible scripture might mean a different thing to different people. This much was evidenced as we posed the question How does the above Bible verse fit with your day-to-day activities to several young Christians.
Join me as I go through various responses of the “Gen Z for Christ” Members, And I pray that God continually Renew our Wisdom.
Mary from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism(NIJ) had this to say:
“My own opinion about this verse is that, as a Christian or a child of God, there are certain things we don’t have to do or don’t because we are not for the world.
If the world is doing the things of the flesh, e.g backbiting, telling lies, etc, we have to keep away from it as Christians.
Therefore, in our day-to-day activities, we have to be very conscious about our behaviour, the words of our mouth, steps, etc, not to be full of the things of the world, instead, we ask for the holy spirit to guide us through.
“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.” (1Cor 10:23)
Paul was writing to the Corinthians church, a very carnal church to say and Paul was writing to let them see why they should live no longer in sin and should live in holiness and purity. This verse explains to us the liberty which we believe have in Christ Jesus, that we are free and allowed to do anything because we are no longer bound by the law but the question should be whatsoever I want to do is it helpful, profitable, or good for me or helpful for my brother? Vs24
Notice Paul started with “you say” that it is true we are in liberty but understand that not all things are profitable to our realities in Christ. Not all things are beneficial, beneficial translates to a constructive character and edifying spiritual life. Meaning even though we are free from the law and now at liberty, whatever we do as believers saved by grace should help us live the life of Christ here on earth, if it does not then it is not for us as believers, whatever we do as believers should edify us i.e build us up spiritually if it does not then it is not for us!
Oyolola Samuel Olamide from Adekunle Ajasin University.
I know and understand that I’m free from the law and now at liberty in Christ Jesus but my liberty in Christ does not mean I can do anyhow or do anything that goes. I must understand that I’m saved from the law not do anyhow but be bound to Christ! I should ask myself before doing anything, will this help me in any way or help a brother in Christ? vs.24 Will this help me to live the life of Christ in me? Will this build me up and edify me spiritually? And with this, I judge each of my daily activities, and I don’t do anything that goes but follows Phil 4.8. in all my day-to-day activities.
Gloria from Osun state university.
What can be drawn from this is the fact that you can do something doesn’t mean you have to and it doesn’t mean you should.
Illustration: When Jesus was tempted by the devil to throw himself down from a high place he did not jump, not because he couldn’t jump but because it was not necessary. It was of no relevance and he was not asked by God to do it.
Truly, if He had jumped, nothing would have happened to Him but he did not.
So yes, we can do all things but not all things are to be done.
Boluwatife from Adekunle Ajasin University.
I would say anything that the Scripture does not clearly prove to us as sinful is “lawful.” The word “helpful” means expedient. This word means to bring together, to be profitable, expedient, advantageous, and appropriate. The action may not be wrong, but it may be below the dignity of a child of God. It may be a weight rather than a sin. This is about more than what is wrong; it is about whether it is right from a practical viewpoint.
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”
“Edify” means to build up, to strengthen. The theme there is that we believers are to build into the lives of others like a contractor erects a building. Freedom at the expense of others is not beneficial.
