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Verse:All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. —1 Corinthians 6:12
There is a significant difference between what is allowed (lawful) and what is advisable (helpful). The apostle Paul was fully aware of this when he stated, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Defending their own “rights,” many people have ignored the rights of others. As Christians, we should have a clear perception of what is merely lawful and what is helpful in all that we do and all that we say. Miles Kington stated in the British newspaper The Independent on March 28, 2003, that “knowledge consists of knowing that a tomato is a fruit, and wisdom consists of not putting it in a fruit salad.” Unquestionably, we have the right to put tomatoes in a fruit salad, but this is not what we usually do or what people like. We should be culturally sensitive and use common sense in all that we do.
Our acts and behavior can follow the patterns of our culture and our ethics insofar that they do not conflict with the universal standards of God’s Word.
The same principle should also be applied to our speech.
Our words have the power to encourage or destroy others. It is easy to communicate the right information with impolite words or even with the wrong emphasis. Keep in mind that, as someone wisely stated, “knowledge is knowing what to say; wisdom is knowing when to say it; and respect is knowing how to say it.” As stated by King Solomon, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).
And “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). So, what should be our attitude toward those who do not follow this principle? Our attitude is well defined by Jesus in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5–7).
He says that we should not “resist an evil person” but rather treat him or her in a loving manner, that we should extend loving respect extending even to our enemies (Matthew 5:38–48). As well stated by Solomon, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
Only this type of practical religion can convince the world of the transforming power of the gospel.