WE DO NOT OWN OUR BODIES

1 Corinthians 6:12-14 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by His own power.

God created all things of the world. Then He created man and woman, and placed them in the center of all His creation. He gave man and woman control over all things within the universe. He gave mankind the power and ability to do anything they were physically capable of doing. But, unlike all other animals, God gave men and women mental discernment - to know the difference between the things that God wanted them to do and the things God did not want them to do. Mankind, then, has the power to do all things, both what is right and what is wrong, and they were given, by God, the mental ability to distinguish between the two.

Many bible scholars agree this to be the meaning of Paul's teaching in the lesson text. When Paul says that all things are lawful unto me, he is saying that he has the power to do all things, but then qualifies his answer. He does so first, by saying that all things are not expedient. Although a person can do many things, there are some things that are not beneficial, as well as some things that can be extremely harmful. The fact that we can eat anything we desire doesn't mean that all things we eat will be beneficial to our bodies. Some things, if eaten, would not be expedient - they would not be physically beneficial, may result in extreme discomfort, and may even result in death. Also, the example of eating meats offered to idols seems to fit this teaching. Although eating these meats was not sinful in the eyes of God, but if, by eating them, others are offended, then they should not be eaten in their presence - it would not be expedient, or spiritually beneficial to do so.

Here is the second qualification Paul gives to the fact that he has the power to do all things. He says that I will not be brought under the power of any. From this we learn that, although we have the power to do many things, we are not to be bought under its power, that is, to become its servant. Men and women have the power to use all kinds of alcholic beverages, narcotics, and other mind-altering drugs, which are known to be addictive. Although there may be some medical benefit derived from their controlled use, if abused, these drugs will result in the user being brought under the drug's addictive power. Sin, if uncontrolled, is also addictive. The physical indulgence of human desires never brings complete, lasting satisfaction. Rather it usually results in additional, and stronger sinful desires. Sin continues, the mind is altered, and, like narcotics, eventually the power of sin wins. With sin under control, a person is driven by self-satisfaction; self-control vanishes when the power of sin rules one's mind.

The same God that created man and woman, also created the food by which they are to be sustained during life on earth. This describes Paul's adage, meats for the belly, and the belly for meats. The fact that God gave human beings an appetite tells us that, the food sources He created was given to mankind to grow, sustain life, and satisfy hunger. Since God created both the appetites of mankind as well as the meats by which this need is satisfied, tells us that God has the power to ...destroy both it and them. Appetites, and the things that satisfy them, are to be controlled. To exceed the use for which God intended is an abuse - it is sinful in the sight of God. This is true when one gives in to sexual appetites, or desires that lead to fornication. This was a specific sin that had been committed by Christians at Corinth, was allowed to continue uncorrected, and was, in no uncertain terms, condemned by Paul.

Even though God has given mankind the power and ability to do so, men and women are not to seek the fulfillment of physical appetites in order to satisfy desires beyond that which our Creator intended. We do not own our bodies. Theybelong to God. He has loaned our bodies it to us, as a habitation for our soul, during our lifetime here on earth. To abuse our bodies, by allowing them to seek uncontrolled satisfaction, is to abuse these temples of the soul. To misuse our bodies, is to abuse the property of another - that, which belongs to God. The body has a much nobler service than engaging in sensuality by fulfilling fleshly desires. By God's command, men and women are to demonstrate their love for God and for their fellow man, and, in doing so, obtain the hope of eternal salvation. We are to be raised up by the power of God, just as He raised up our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and, if faithful, we will be carried to our heavenly abode to live with Him forever. This is God's great desire!