“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. (1 Cor. 6:12)
When I was in my last year of college, I was offered a great opportunity, but with prayerful consideration, I felt it was not from God. Although I second-guessed my decision at first, I learned that just because there is an open door does not mean you should always walk through it. If that open door leads to sin, exhaustion, and confusion, then it is not from God.
You may be tempted with a common yet dangerous belief system of doing whatever makes you happy. Giving in to whatever need or want you have is not only common but also encouraged. However, every want we have may not line up with what God wants for us; it takes submission under God to know when to be patient.
Some people of Paul’s day were under the notion that the soul and the body were two separate entities, therefore they could treat their bodies however they wanted, giving in to any impulse that came their way. Although we may have the right to do whatever we please, not everything we can do is healthy for us. Godly morals matter. Our souls and bodies are connected, and what we do with our bodies represents our soul’s master. Being mastered by God means submitting to his will for us and being bold enough to say no when the wrong door opens.
Submit to God through impulse control.
Rachel Reigard is a NextGen Pastor at Bethany Wesleyan Church’s Palmerton Campus (PA). She serves alongside her worship and youth pastor-husband, Josh.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
