1 Corinthians 10:23-26 

²³“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. ²⁵Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Conscience

Personally, how do we explain the term conscience to curious child? Our conscience is the part of our inner being that judges our own actions. It is like a soft small voice that warns us against wrong decision or action. Experts suggest that conscience is an inner feeling that guides us to do what is right and proper. Conscience causes us to feel responsible to morally behave according to beliefs.

Biblically, our conscience functions as moral and spiritual consciousness. It is part of us that God created in his image. Scholars suggest that conscience is God-given capacity to identify what’s right. Conscience is moral agent in us that guides us to behave properly in the moral standards of godly righteousness.

How can we distinguish when conscience is guiding us in our decisions or when the Holy Spirit is guiding us? Conscience helps us distinguish between right and wrong. It causes us to respond to the word of God and mindfully say, “Yeah! I know that!” In comparison, The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey him, so we respond to the word of God and say, “Yes Lord, I will obey!” and, we obey.

Conscience guides our intellect to know what is right. The Holy Spirit guides our heart to actualize or put into action what is right in his eyes.

         Together, let us meditatively reflect on the parable that Jesus Christ told in Matthew 21:28-31, ²⁸“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ²⁹“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. ³¹“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.

         When the Lord speaks through the Scripture, his Holy Spirit inspires us to obey gladly. He also helps trust that blessing is included in obedience to him. But why are we slow to obey? Obedience to God exhibits intimate relationship with him. Relationship with God becomes more intimate as we follow our Lord Jesus Christ; and as a result, we gladly obey the Lord more and more frequently.

         The nearest illustration of intimacy of relationship with God is the intimacy of relationship between husband and wife. A man and a woman are attracted to each other; they agree to get married. As they become more intimate, they serve each other in the best possible way they can; serving each other is most obvious expression of love for each other, and not to impress each other again. We are advised in Ephesians 5:21, ²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

         Out of reverence for Christ should be the main reason for wives to submit to their husbands. Any other reasons for wives to submit to their husbands should be secondary or less relevant of its kind. The Scripture teaches that husbands are instructed to love their wives just as Christ loved the church.

Any other reasons will be secondary. Husbands selflessly love their wives as expression of knowledge and understanding on how selflessly Christ loved the church. Christ sacrificed for the church to present her holy, pure, and flawless, but not all church attendees could conceptualize such biblical reality. Why’s that?

Many attendees in the church of Corinth were intellectuals, but they were not ready to practice Christian beliefs. They were confused about food sacrifices. Apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthians, particularly sensible and wise believers in Corinth; he hoped that they may use their intellectuality to realize and practice Christian beliefs appropriately. How about us? Our behavior and priorities should practically exhibit that we have been transformed in Christ. What do you say?

1.  Say

²³“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

         Some Corinthians were supportive to the mission ministry of Apostle Paul, but still some of them challenged the authority of Paul as apostle of Christ. Paul rebuked them when they said that they’ve the right to do anything they chose to do. Well, he did not argue against their choice to do anything; it’s their right. But, he warned them to practice their rights that should constructively benefit others.

Corinthian believers who were disciples of Apostle Paul and his mission team may have understood how the Holy Spirit functions in the life of believers. But those who did not personally know or see Apostle Paul may not have heard how the Holy Spirit works. Nonetheless, Apostle Paul challenged the wise and sensible Corinthians to use their conscience and evaluate if what he had advised them were properly right or not. Several times, he appealed to their conscience.

Dependence on conscience is not enough, why? Conscience sparks moral consciousness but cannot produce joyful peace, as compared to the Holy Spirit.

Chores      

Once upon a time, the adults were busy with their chores. Their children were also focused with their project. Suddenly, the kettle whistled; it signaled that the water was boiling. One stimulated child quickly stood up to turn off the stove. Accidentally, he caused the table to shake; the black ink spilled all over the table and over the project of the other child. When your project is almost complete, and then suddenly, it is blemished with black ink, how would you react? *#!?

Will you be happy or annoyed? Will you be upset or just react placidly still?

What do you normally say when you are upset or annoyed? Do you say: “Wow! That’s great! I have to do it all over again! I’m becoming expert of this”?

         Upset people blurt out curses. Creatively they use alternate phrase instead of curse word, and it had been popularized even among Christians unmindfully. When upset or frustrated, you may have innocently yelled such disguised curse.

How should we express emotion pleasant to God when we are annoyed or upset? Together, let us reflect on what Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:4-5:

⁴My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

It is sensible and wise to be cautious of what we wish to convey when we express our freedom, particularly when we are emotional. You’ve got rights to express your annoyance but be mindful of its effects to your image practically and spiritually. You’ve got rights to choose what’s best for you, but be mindful to choose what may edify and helpful for others to learn from your behavior.

Let us reflect on what King David invited us in Psalm 95:1-2, ¹Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. ²Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

When we gather and worship God, it is by his grace at work in our heart. How strong do you believe that? Singing joyfully to the Lord with thanksgiving is most desirable as compared to annoyance and upset feeling. Do you agree?

If unpleasant situation upset or annoy us, prayerfully ask God and seek to be inspired by his Holy Spirit; it’s for our own good and for the good of observers. A picture of flower was published with a caption: Bloom where you are planted. You can bloom; you can flourish in whatever you do, where you are situated. Anyone can be upset inside or outside the church building. But we praise and thank God, instead of annoyance, when we seek inspiration of his Holy Spirit.

2.  Seek

²⁴No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

         What did Apostle Paul mean by that? Should we not seek our own good first, so that we can be good to others? Previously, Apostle Paul preached about food sacrificed to idols. Some confused Corinthians ate food sacrificed to idols, and reasoned out that it’s their right to do anything they wanted. They were just seeking their own good and gratifying their human thirst and hunger for food.

         So, Apostle Paul admonished that not every right thing we do is beneficial.

Eating food sacrificed to idols may confuse new believers and think that the Lord accepts such practices. Likewise, when they innocently use words or phrases as alternate to cursing, young believers may assume that it’s okay to use such word or phrase when they’re upset or annoyed. Have you figured out what I’m implying that others use as alternate to curse? It’s not constructive to verbalize it here.

Let’s reflect on Romans 15:2-3, ²Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. ³For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

         When upset or annoyed, and we innocently use what others normally use as alternate word or phrase to curse, are we not pleasing ourselves? We should be more conscious of using language that may benefit listeners and observers.

         Our mission purpose is to make disciples. We are fulltime Christians and not part-time children of God. We have to be aware always of our behavior and choices, especially when there’re potential believers around us. We’re mandated to witness for Christ, and social gathering is opportunity for us to witness for him.

Manitoba Social

Have you heard of Manitoba Social? It is fundraising concept originated in Manitoba. Sometimes, it’s called “Winnipeg Social,” “Fundraising Social,” “Wedding Social,” or just simply a “Social.” Most often, it is fundraising party for wedding. A Wedding Social invites friends and family to financially support the couple for their wedding ceremony. What are creative ways to raise funds at the Wedding Social? They sell liquor, food, music, dancing and 50-50 raffle draws.

Here’s a something to reflect upon: How do you cherish it gloriously, if your wedding ceremony is funded by Social? What does the Scripture teach believers about attending Socials? Is it beneficial? Is it constructive? Is it seeking the good of others and should not be seeking their own good? What’s your view?

Most common argument can be, “Social is not mentioned in the Scripture!”

Social is obscure concept that has no literal biblical basis; if it is condemned, it may offend anybody who attends Social. Likewise, if it is openly promoted, it may also offend anybody who avoids it. Somehow, anyone could be offended.

We should mindfully reconsider any concept or activity that is not literally mentioned in the Scripture. Therefore, be cautious if you promote or denounce Social publicly! Be watchful! Potential believers are observing our priorities.

Prayerfully seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 13:20-21 states,  ²⁰May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

         We can only be aware of potential believers and disciples surrounding us when we are dependent on the Holy Spirit of Christ, and we intentionally behave as witness for Christ, and making disciples becomes our top priority focus. The Holy Spirit teaches us to avoid activities or occasions that are not beneficial to us practically and spiritually. For example: Christians should avoid getting drunk.

         Conscience may say, drinking wine is biblically acceptable; and the Holy Spirit cautions us that drinking too much wine can cause drunkenness. Sensible and wise believers would not taste wine if they cannot control their craving.

Well, Christians are also invited to Wedding Socials but liquor and dancing cannot be absent. What principle is followed when we attend social gathering?

What principle do we adhere to when buying anything sold in the market place?

3.  Sell

²⁵Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

         Our conscience should clearly sense that it is morally acceptable to eat anything that vendors legally sell at the market. Whether it’s previously offered to idols or not, we are advised that anything sold in the market should not be critical topic for argument. Of course, illegal things are not included in this topic.

         To sell in the market or eat insect or exotic animals like lizard, crocodile or turtle is acceptable in some cultures. Beef or pork products are avoided in other cultures. So be aware what’s legal and illegal when you travel to foreign country.

Anything you crave for that’s not legally sold in the market, don’t ask for it or else you would only put yourself in trouble. What do you know about Singapore laws?

Chewing Gums

Did you know that Singapore strictly ban and prohibit chewing gums? Sale and public consumption of chewing gum has been illegal completely in Singapore for over 30 years. To sell, import or manufacture chewing gums in Singapore is penalized up to S$100,000.00 and imprisonment and caning publicly. Airport officers would stamp passports of those caught with gum. Sticking Point: Understanding Singapore’s Infamous Chewing Gum Ban – Singapore Changi Airport (singaporeairport.com)

         It is foolish to innocently travel. They publish things that are not allowed at the border, but still, foolish travelers would try to defy the law. Foolish stupidities among travelers are published online as warning for anyone to consider.

         While online information can be useful to warn against illegal activities, still bad element in the society could manipulate and take advantage and victimize naïve individuals. During the pandemic, selling online had increased and taken advantage of. And many innocent costumers complain about unfair practices.

         So how can we be safe or secured from things we just cannot control?

Psalm 37:37-40 states, ³⁷Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. ³⁸But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. ³⁹The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. ⁴⁰The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

         Illegal activities should warn sensible and wise believers that not anything that is right is beneficial and constructive. We have to be aware always that our testimony is observed where we are situated. Don’t just rely upon conscience.

You can bloom where you are planted. You can flourish where you are situated.

How? Prayerfully ask God for wisdom, stronger faith and firm confidence in his promises as we rely upon the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. Amen! Hallelujah!

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