This Week: May 11-17
Body Limits
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul reminds us that while we may be free in Christ, not everything we are free to do is good for us. “All things are lawful,” he writes, “but not all things are beneficial.” We are called to live intentionally, to consider whether our actions are building up ourselves, others, and God’s kingdom — even in something as ordinary as what we eat and drink.
“All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Moderation is not just a matter of self-restraint — it’s a spiritual practice. When we pause and reflect, when we become conscious of our habits and our choices, we make room for the Holy Spirit to guide us. God cares not only about the big decisions in our lives, but also about the small ones: what we eat, who we eat with, and whether those choices reflect love.
Table of Contents
Key Points:
- All Things Are Lawful, But… – Freedom in Christ is not a license to live unexamined lives. Paul challenges us to ask whether our freedom is leading to flourishing.
- Be Conscious, Not Automatic – Small habits shape our lives. Choosing to pause and reflect helps us avoid impulsive behavior and live with purpose.
- Spiritual Moderation Begins with Awareness – Being mindful in our eating, our speaking, and our reacting is one way we honor our bodies and our relationships.
5-Day Devotional
Day 1: All Things Are Lawful
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:23 "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
Where in your life are you free — but not thriving? Is there something you’re doing because you can, not because you should?
Action Step: Identify one habit or pattern that may be lawful but isn’t building you up — and commit to a healthier alternative.
Prayer Prompt: God, help me see where my freedom needs wisdom. Guide me to choices that build up.
Where in your life are you free — but not thriving? Is there something you’re doing because you can, not because you should?
Action Step: Identify one habit or pattern that may be lawful but isn’t building you up — and commit to a healthier alternative.
Prayer Prompt: God, help me see where my freedom needs wisdom. Guide me to choices that build up.
Day 2: Choose Awareness
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 4:26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
What habits do you do on autopilot? Eating? Scrolling? Speaking? Where could a moment of awareness lead to a better outcome?
Action Step: Choose one routine activity today (e.g., mealtime, driving, or a conversation) and do it with complete presence.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, make me aware. Help me step off autopilot and step into your grace.
What habits do you do on autopilot? Eating? Scrolling? Speaking? Where could a moment of awareness lead to a better outcome?
Action Step: Choose one routine activity today (e.g., mealtime, driving, or a conversation) and do it with complete presence.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, make me aware. Help me step off autopilot and step into your grace.
Day 3: Consider Others
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:24 Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.
How do your daily choices affect those around you — your family, friends, or coworkers? Are you building them up?
Action Step: Make one choice today, specifically with someone else’s good in mind.
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, give me eyes to see beyond myself — and the will to build others up.
How do your daily choices affect those around you — your family, friends, or coworkers? Are you building them up?
Action Step: Make one choice today, specifically with someone else’s good in mind.
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, give me eyes to see beyond myself — and the will to build others up.
Day 4: Small Choices Matter
Scripture Reference: Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.
God sees and cares about the small things — and so should we. How can your little choices reflect your faith today?
Action Step: Practice moderation in one area today: your words, your food, or your time.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, help me be faithful in the small things, and shape me through them.
God sees and cares about the small things — and so should we. How can your little choices reflect your faith today?
Action Step: Practice moderation in one area today: your words, your food, or your time.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, help me be faithful in the small things, and shape me through them.
Day 5: A Prayer for Centering
Scripture Reference: Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
When you feel reactionary or overwhelmed, center yourself in God’s presence. A simple prayer can create sacred space for discernment.
Action Step: Use the Jesus Prayer or a centering prayer today when you feel yourself reacting.
Prayer Prompt: Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
When you feel reactionary or overwhelmed, center yourself in God’s presence. A simple prayer can create sacred space for discernment.
Action Step: Use the Jesus Prayer or a centering prayer today when you feel yourself reacting.
Prayer Prompt: Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
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