I love ice cream and pizza. I could eat a slice of pizza every day for the rest of my life, then finish each of those days with a bowl of ice cream. Nirvana. As an adult, I have every right to eat this way. Plenty of options for pizza and ice cream surround me. Nothing is stopping me (except my wife). But such a delightful diet is not beneficial.

Paul spoke to our rights and how we employ them. “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. Later in his argument Paul offered up the logic behind these statements. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

As a follower of Jesus, I consider the ways I treat my body and then surrender my base desires to the Lord. I waive my rights to do anything I want—a counter-cultural idea.

I am to cast aside that which masters me. Be it pizza, ice cream, social media approval, scrolling for distraction, pornography, alcohol, shopping—any number of potential overseers. Paul speaks specifically of sexual immorality, but control comes in all guises. When I’m mastered by something that behaviour or habit owns me. I’ve become it’s slave.

Getting “unmastered” is complicated and painful. It’s different for different circumstances, but with the help of others and the Holy Spirit I can unshackle from the false owners of my soul. Surrendering my right to do anything I want starts this process.

As splendid as chocolate chip ice cream and pepperoni pizza are on my tongue, I try to avoid their siren call. I enjoy them in moderation, under flagging yet dutiful control. I work at surrendering my base desires knowing there’s room for only one Master—and He leads me to a flourishing life.

1 Corinthians 6 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate