Passage of the Day:
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also, 1 Corinthians 6:12-14.
Reflection:
While the context of this passage leads into sexual desires and the lust for more, James 1:14-15, the apostle Paul begins talking to Corinthian Christians about moderation. Due to free will, you have the right to do whatever you want. However, if you break the law or give the Devil a foothold, Ephesians 4L27, there will be consequences. Understanding the law of human nature, Paul makes one thing clear, “don’t let yourself go by allowing your flesh to become a slave to addiction.
Prayerful Action:
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people, Ephesians 6:17-18.
Setting Clear Boundaries to Live By:
As freshman college students leave home for the first time, free will is available every moment. From curfews to eating and extra-curricular activities, there is no one to hold your hand. Perhaps, this is why new college students end up joining a popular group, the freshman fifteen. I joined a more exclusive group, gaining 25 pounds during my first semester on campus. When you have access to unlimited food, going the right distance and no further was too much for me to handle. After winning a cheese steak eating contest on my floor, I realized that I had to cut back, or my weight would continue to spiral out of control. This is where setting clear boundaries before you eat will be beneficial to prevent yourself from becoming addicted to certain types of food.
Song of the Day:
Dear X is a great song for anyone struggling to control their eating habits. While the lyrics refer to a number of different situations, the key theme is that you belong to the Lord, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Although you may be fighting a losing battle with some sort of addiction, don’t let yourself go. Lean on the Lord’s strength to take back any spiritual ground that you’ve lost this summer.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 