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Everything is Permissable, Not Everything is Beneficial

Paul in his letters raises objections to what he himself is writing and then answers those objections.

Here is his dialogue with himself about sexual promiscuity.

His first paragraph:
“Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-17

Objection
-“Everything is permissible for me.”

Response
-“But not everything is beneficial.”

Objection
-“Everything is permissible for me.”

Response
-“But I will not be mastered by anything.”

Objection
-“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food.”

Response
-“But God will destroy them both.”

Final Paragraph:

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Paul appeals to Genesis 2:24, the first man and first woman and the first marriage as “one flesh.” In the beginning God made one man and one woman. He has been creating 50% of each ever since. That means one apiece.

Comments

Becky said…
Thanks for speaking truth into my life. Could you ask God to send mine my way?
~27 year old lady in waiting.
10:31 PM
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