~ 1 Corinthians 6:12
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes | Spotify
In Corinth, believers wrestled with questions of freedom. Some argued that because they were no longer under the law, they could do whatever they pleased. Paul acknowledges Christian liberty but quickly adds a crucial boundary: not everything is helpful, and nothing should master us. Freedom in Christ is not a license for harm or to sin, but a call to live wisely and healthily.
The word Paul uses for “helpful” (sympherō) means profitable, beneficial, or advantageous. The point is simple: something may not be inherently sinful, yet it may not serve your well-being, your witness, or your walk with Christ. Likewise, “dominated” (exousiazō) means to be brought under the power of, enslaved. True freedom means refusing anything—whether a substance, habit, or pattern—that gains unhealthy control over us.
This principle speaks directly to modern issues of health, especially in areas we rarely connect with spirituality—like what we put on our bodies or use in our homes. Many body care products, cosmetics, and household cleaners are loaded with harsh chemicals that damage our bodies, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Using them may not be “sinful” in the sense of breaking a commandment, but are they helpful? Do they honor the truth that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19)?
Over time, exposure to toxins can affect health—skin, lungs, hormones, even long-term disease risks. In this way, what seems harmless can quietly become harmful. Just as gluttony or drunkenness undermine health, so can careless use of chemicals. Paul’s wisdom applies: some things are lawful, but not beneficial. God calls us to discernment.
The second part of Paul’s principle is equally important: “I will not be dominated by anything.” This challenges us to ask: have I become dependent on products, habits, or conveniences that may not be good for me? Am I enslaved to what the culture says I “must have” to look good, smell good, or clean well, even when healthier alternatives exist?
Living the biblical health message means exercising wisdom and freedom together. It’s not about legalism—declaring that deodorant or cleaners are sinful—but about stewardship. We honor God not only by avoiding clear sins but also by wisely choosing what is best for the bodies He entrusted to us.
For the modern believer, this verse is an invitation to evaluate: What’s in the products I use? Are they truly helpful, or are they quietly harming me? Are there better choices I can make—natural, safer, life-giving—that reflect stewardship of my health and witness to others?
Christian freedom is not just about what we’re allowed to do but what’s beneficial for body, soul, and spirit. When we choose wisely, we not only protect our health but also glorify God in the everyday details of life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the freedom I have in Christ. Teach me to use that freedom with wisdom, choosing what is helpful and avoiding what is harmful. Help me steward my body and my home in ways that honor You, so that even in the small things I may glorify You. Amen.
