The phrase “everything is permissible” comes from 1 Corinthians 6:12 where Paul writes, “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. This verse touches on a key issue that the Corinthians were facing – the idea that as believers saved by grace, they were free from the Law and could therefore do whatever they wanted. On the surface, this sounds liberating. However, Paul makes it clear that just because something is permissible does not mean it is beneficial or constructive.
At its core, this phrase speaks to the tension between freedom and responsibility that believers navigate. On one hand, salvation in Christ does free us from sin and the Law’s condemnation (Romans 8:1-4). We are no longer earning righteousness by rule-keeping. In that sense, we have great freedom in Christ. However, this freedom is not a license to sin or indulge every fleshly desire. While we are free from the Law, we are still called to honor God with how we exercise our freedom. As Galatians 5:13 explains, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
So when Paul says “everything is permissible,” he is not giving an outright moral blank check. Rather, he is acknowledging the reality of Christian freedom while also giving parameters to guide it. There are three key principles that help unpack what he means:
1. Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to sin.
While the Law no longer condemns us in Christ, God still cares deeply about holiness and obedience from His people. Sin still displeases God, damages us, and dishonors Christ even if we are saved by grace. In Christ we are liberated from sin’s absolute power and penalty, but not its influence. As Romans 6:1-2 explains, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Our freedom in Christ gives us power to resist sin, not permission to indulge it.
2. Not everything permissible is beneficial or constructive.
Just because an activity is not strictly forbidden does not mean it is wise, helpful, or glorifying to God. As Paul notes, focus should not just be on what is allowed, but on what is beneficial. Will this activity promote spiritual growth? Will it help others? Will it glorify God? Will it lead to temptation or be spiritually unproductive? As 1 Corinthians 10:23 explains, “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” Christian freedom is not just about asking “can I?” but about asking “should I?”
3. Do not let anything master you except Christ.
Paul warns about not being “mastered by anything” in 1 Corinthians 6:12. Sin and fleshly desires can gain control and dominate areas of our lives if left unchecked. Freedom in Christ is not about being controlled by anything else. As Romans 6:16 explains, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Our freedom must be guided by the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the pursuit of obedience to Him. He alone is worthy of our true allegiance and devotion.
In summary, “everything is permissible” is not a blanket license but a nuanced framework for navigating Christian freedom. This freedom is not freedom to sin or rebel, but freedom from sin’s power and condemnation. And this freedom is not for selfish indulgence but for serving God and others in love. Our decisions should be guided by asking what glorifies Christ, edifies others, resists temptation, and avoids bondage. When used rightly, our freedom in Christ equips us to honor God and enjoy Him in all things.
New Testament Teaching
The New Testament contains other passages that give additional insight into properly understanding Christian freedom and the idea that “everything is permissible.” Some key teachings include:
Romans 14 – This passage provides guidance on disputable matters which are not directly forbidden but which some believers may oppose out of conscience. It teaches that while we have freedom, we should be careful to not flaunt our freedom in ways that cause others to stumble. Out of love, we may need to voluntarily limit some freedoms.
1 Corinthians 8-10 – These chapters give instructions about eating food sacrificed to idols, a disputed matter in Corinth. While Paul affirms idols have no real power and food itself is not defiled, he teaches that love should still guide our actions. If eating such meat could wound a brother’s weak conscience or cause them to sin against their convictions, it should be avoided.
Galatians 5:13-15 – In the larger context about life in the Spirit, Paul reminds believers to not indulge the flesh but to lovingly serve one another through freedom. He warns against misusing freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.
1 Peter 2:16 – Peter teaches to live as people who are free, not using freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as bondslaves of God. There is a wrong kind of freedom that is not true freedom at all. True freedom submits joyfully to Christ’s Lordship.
2 Peter 2:19 – Peter warns that by yielding to fleshly corruption, false teachers promise a false kind of freedom, yet they are enslaved to sin’s corruption. Freedom in Christ leads to holiness, not corruption.
So the consistent New Testament emphasis is that while freedom in Christ is real, it is not a license to sin or indulge every desire. This freedom still exists within Christ’s Lordship and the empowerment of the Spirit towards obedience and love. Christian freedom is constrained by God’s moral will and love for others.
How This Teaching Can Be Applied
The principles behind “everything is permissible” are very relevant to modern Christian living. Here are some ways this teaching can be practically applied today:
1. Evaluate gray areas Biblically – There are many questionable activities not specifically forbidden in Scripture. From media choices to entertainment preferences, believers must use discernment. Look at the activity through the grid of what is beneficial, constructive, and honoring to God.
2. Examine motives and potential for excess – Ask why you desire a particular freedom. Is it for selfish reasons that could lead to sinful indulgence? Even permissible things can become excess. Liberty must be balanced with self-control.
3. Be willing to limit freedom for others – Do not flaunt liberties in ways that tempt or tear down others spiritually. Be sensitive and limit freedoms that could cause a weaker brother to stumble.
4. Reject legalistic standards not required by Scripture – Stand firm against man-made rules that bind conscience and neglect true virtue. Not everything avoided by some Christians is inherently wrong.
5. Allow freedom in disputable matters – Where Scripture does not prohibit a practice, allow differing views charitably. Do not bind others’ consciences to preferences not required biblically.
6. Focus on Christlikeness, not just external behavior – God cares about heart transformation over rigid rule-following. Legalistic abstaining from something not inherently sinful has no spiritual benefit.
7. Deal with heart motivations fueling sinful desire – If sinful behavior results from misused freedom, address root sins of the heart. Seek increased love for Christ that constrains sinful indulgence.
8. Make sure your conscience is calibrated biblically – Conscience can be overly strict or lax. God’s Word, not personal preference, must inform your conscience’s guidelines. Be wary of unbiblical traditions of men.
The freedom we have in Christ is an amazing gift. But this gift requires wisdom and maturity to exercise correctly for God’s glory. With the Spirit’s help and Bible’s guidance, we can navigate Christian liberty in ways that honor Christ and serve others.
Core Principles for Using Christian Freedom
Based on key Biblical teachings about Christian freedom and responsibility, here are some core principles for how to exercise our liberty in Christ appropriately:
1. Glorify God – The overarching goal in all things must be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Does a certain choice promote this aim? Will it reflect and reveal Christ?
2. Edify others – Follow the example of Christ who did not please Himself but gave Himself for others (Romans 15:1-3). Does your freedom build others up or discourage them? Limit freedom that harms another.
3. Avoid sin – While free from the Law, we are still called to resist sin’s influence and avoid its traps by the Spirit’s power (1 Peter 2:16, Galatians 5:13). Will this activity tempt or promote sin?
4. Avoid bondage – Do not allow anything other than Christ to master you or exert control where is does not belong (1 Corinthians 6:12). Does this activity tend toward excess or addiction?
5. Restrain liberty to avoid causing offense – While you may have freedom, do not flaunt it in ways that cause others to stumble if possible (1 Corinthians 8:9). Is it wise to voluntarily refrain?
6. Allow differing views on disputable matters – Where Scripture does not definitively prohibit a practice, allow diversity in areas of conscience (Romans 14:1).
7. Focus on inward reality, not just outward actions – Avoid thinking that just avoiding certain activities makes you spiritual (Colossians 2:20-23). Emphasize clean heart over clean legal record.
8. Renew mind and feed the Spirit – Good choices flow from a mind renewed by Scripture (Romans 12:2) and life in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Nurture these core spiritual disciplines.
9. Have a clear conscience – Make sure your conscience is informed by Scripture, not weak or permissive (1 Corinthians 8:7). But do not bind conscience where Scripture does not.
10. Submit everything to God in prayer – Seek God’s wisdom in exercising freedom wisely (James 1:5). Dedicate all choices to His service and glory.
The Wrong Way to Use Christian Freedom
Because the idea of Christian freedom can be easily distorted, it is important to recognize how it should not be applied or viewed. Scripture repeatedly warns against twisted concepts of Christian liberty. Here are 5 main ways Christian freedom can be misused:
1. As a license to sin – Some wrongly think freedom means they can indulge sin without consequences since they are under grace. But Scripture adamantly rejects this (Romans 6:1-2).
2. For selfish gain – Some exploit their liberty for greed, lust, or pride. But believers are called to look out for others above themselves (Philippians 2:3-4).
3. Without loving discipline – Freedom without self-control leads to bondage to sin. Believers must actively discipline natural desires (1 Corinthians 9:27).
4. With disregard for how it affects others – The Bible instructs not to use freedom to tear down but to build up others (Romans 14:19-21). Love limits liberty.
5. With a legalistic attitude – Some judge and impose standards not required in Scripture, binding conscience. But this opposes grace (Colossians 2:20-23).
6. As rebellion from God’s authority – Any use of freedom that directly opposes God’s moral commands is not true freedom but slavery to sin (1 Peter 2:16).
7. Without balancing other spiritual virtues – Liberty must be guided by godly wisdom and coupled with virtues like self-control, patience, and peace (James 3:17-18).
8. To put oneself above others – The example of Christ teaches us to not simply pursue our own good but to serve others in humility (Philippians 2:3-11).
9. Without thoughtfulness and caution – Freedom requires wisdom in exercising well. Thoughtless license usually leads to regret and damage.
10. As an assumption God condones everything – God wants our very best. Just because He forgives does not mean He calls every action good. He gives grace and calls us upward.
True freedom in Christ frees us to walk in the good works God has for us (Ephesians 2:10). Any conception of freedom that leads away from God’s heart and holiness is deceptive and twisted.
Freedom Requires Responsibility and Self-Discipline
One of the most important principles for properly using Christian freedom is recognizing that liberty requires responsibility and self-discipline. Freedom in Christ is not a license to laziness and lack of self-control. Consider these key reasons freedom must be matched with discipline:
1. To resist temptation – Without vigilant self-control, temptation easily leads to sin (1 Corinthians 10:12). Freedom makes more tempting options available. Self-denial is needed to avoid traps.
2. To avoid bondage – Practices can start as permissible but become addictive and enslaving apart from discipline (1 Corinthians 6:12). Self-restraint keeps things in their proper place.
3. To become more like Christ – Jesus modeled perfect self-control coupled with supreme freedom to fulfill the Father’s will joyfully (John 8:29). Discipline trains us in righteousness.
4. To keep priorities straight – God’s glory and serving others must stay first. Without discipline the natural pull is toward selfishness (Philippians 2:3-4).
5. To witness to others – Undisciplined living repels nonbelievers. But godly self-restraint reflects Christ and the Spirit’s work in converting the inner person (1 Corinthians 9:19-27).
6. To prepare for future reward – Self-control leads to eternal reward for those who train like competitive athletes (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The spiritual crown comes to the disciplined.
7. To silence critics – Foolish use of freedom causes God’s name to be slandered (Romans 2:24). The godly use of freedom silences foolish critics.
8. To spend time wisely – Wasted time and resources can never be regained. We must number our days astutely (Psalm 90:12). Discipline redeems the time (Ephesians 5:15-6).
9. To avoid regrets – Undisciplined decisions often end in remorse and consequences. Self-restraint avoids these blows and protects reward (2 John 1:8).
Proper Christian freedom requires cultivating self-denial, moderation, prudence, temperance and vigilance against excess. Liberty easily turns to license without the Christlike virtue of mature self-control empowered by the Spirit.
How to Deal with Weaker and Legalistic Brothers
An important aspect of Christian freedom is learning to deal with weaker brothers who are over-scrupulous about questionable matters not specifically prohibited in Scripture. And also with legalistic believers who impose non-biblical rules. Here are some tips for handling these situations:
1. Be patient – Remember they are fellow members of Christ’s body. Avoid contempt for their extra strictness (Romans 14:3).
2. Limit freedom voluntarily to accommodate – Be willing to adjust your exercise of liberty out of love rather than insisting on your rights (Romans 14:13-15).
3. Do not quarrel over disputable matters – God accepts both sides because these issues are not essential. Focus on unity (Romans 14:1).
4. Allow each person to follow their convictions – Do not force your freedom on others or judge them for abstaining (Romans 14:22).
5. Correct legalistic teaching with Scripture – Where added rules go beyond Scripture, point out this overstep biblically (Colossians 2:20-23).
6. Avoid flaunting freedom – Don’t deliberately wave your liberty in a weak brother’s face if it will cause them to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9-13).
7. Focus on influencing their heart, not just behavior – Help them gain a clear conscience through God’s Word rather than just imposing rules (1 Timothy 1:5-7).
8. Make love your aim – At the end of the day weaker and legalistic brothers need love, patience, wisdom and grace to grow. Make that your goal (1 Corinthians 8:1-3).
Differences over debatable matters require much grace, discernment and patience. But if we keep love for God and others as the supreme goal, we can appropriately exercise freedom while also accommodating the weaker brother’s conscience for their growth and God’s glory.
Summary of Key Principles
To summarize, here are the key Biblical principles to remember regarding Christian freedom and the idea that “everything is permissible”:
– Our freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to sin or rebel against God’s moral commands. Sin still displeases God.
– Just because an activity is not forbidden does not always mean it is beneficial or edifying. Ask if it glorifies God.
– Do not let anything other than Christ have mastery over you. Avoid bondage.
– Limit your freedom if necessary to avoid causing another believer to stumble.
– Allow diversity of conscience on disputable matters not clearly addressed in Scripture.
– Focus on inward spiritual transformation over just outward adherence to rules.
– Apply self-control and discipline, not license. Liberty requires responsibility.
– Be cautious and thoughtful in how you exercise freedom. Seek to build others up.
– Let love for God and others guide your choices more than personal rights or selfishness.
– Remember weaker brothers need patience and grace, but legalists need cautious correction.
As we grow in applying these Biblical principles, we can learn to both enjoy our amazing freedom in Christ as well as use it responsibly for God’s glory and the strengthening of His Church.
