Good Can Be Bad 7/10/2014

¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.  1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV)

²³ “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.  1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)

I find my biggest challenges to spiritual growth are not necessarily "bad" things.  It has been many years since I have woken up with a hangover.  Stepping out on Kristi, not an option.  I don't kick puppies.  I don't steal apples from Mrs. Simpson's orchard.  Why then aren't I spending time in the Word on a more frequent basis?

Well, there is that new book I just downloaded on my Kindle.  There are all those interesting articles on the Yahoo news feed I can read.  An extra hour at work will let me get one more report finished.  Just a couple more episodes of "Pawn Stars" before lights out.

Nothing illegal.  Nothing immoral.  Nothing "wrong".  But when these seemingly innocuous things replace time with God, they cross the line into sin.  If that last t.v. show at night causes me to hit the snooze button too often, it has become an idol.  The extra time at work in the morning that replaces my quiet time sets up work as more important God.

"Good" and "okay" are the biggest barriers to spiritual discipline and growth in my life.  T.V. not adultery.  Work not nightclubs.  

If it is easy. if it is comfortable,  if it is habit, chances are there is no growth occurring.  Lawful, yes.  Helpful, maybe not.