I THINK WE FORGET that we are in a real and present spiritual battle and everything we take part in can have serious spiritual repercussions. For this purpose Paul said, “all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient”, meaning not all things benefit or edify my spirit. It also does not mean that you can break God’s law and call it “lawful”.
You most certainly cannot murder someone and say, “I am not under the law! Murder is lawful”. How foolish! Paul was addressing certain practices that pertained to Jewish civil and ceremonial laws, not moral law. God’s moral laws are still binding. In partaking of certain things and going to certain places; although it is lawful, we can entertain demonic forces and unknowingly open the door for the enemy to come into our lives and wreak havoc and destruction. Demons don’t just come rushing in and show you who they are. They creep in slowly over time and “appear” good, right and true; until you wake up one day back in bondage to your sinful flesh.
“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Cor 11:14
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” 2 Cor 10:3-4
Alcohol, for example, being one of these strongholds. You can have a drink; but if you are not careful, that thing can slowly take control of your life until you are in bondage to it. There are places a Christian lawfully can go, but there is no good or beneficial reason to go. Why would a born again, new creation in Christ go to a bar?
There is nothing good going on there and you would wound your spirit by what was going on around you. Please stop deceiving yourself by saying you are going there to minister. If that was truly the case, you would stand outside waiting to wash the drunkard’s feet and give them a lift home. I hear the antinomian crowd rising up and screaming, “Legalism!” O foolish people. That’s exactly what Jezebel would cry out. The Bible records that Lot was vexed everyday he dwelt in Sodom because of the evil going on around him.
“and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—” II Peter 2:6-8
Again, lawful but not expedient. Expedient’s definition: (of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.
Go read the effects of Sodom on Lot’s family. Why put yourself or your children in an immoral state? You make yourself a target for the enemy and a victim of your lustful eyes. You are not strong enough to tangle with the devil when you knowingly put yourself in compromising positions. And anything that keeps/puts you in bondage is not of Christ.
He came to set you free from sin and the bondage of the enemy. This is why we are told, “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. Does this “thing” edify the Lord or am I gratifying my flesh? IF you cannot do it, go there, partake in it, as unto the Lord, then you are to have nothing to do with it.
THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE IS REAL.
You should take it seriously. Demons will not go easy on you. Your victorious life in Christ depends on it. The only way to overcome the enemy is to submit to God first, then you can resist the devil. But if you are not fully submitted to God’s authority as manifested in obedience to His Word, then you will be trampled by the enemy of your soul, ensnared and taken captive by the devil to do his will. I know many who have gone down this path by doing one seemingly benign “lawful” thing.
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