Devotionals by Dr. M. Craig Barnes
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. --
The freedom to make choices is near the core of our identity as human beings. It is part of what it means to be made in the image of God, and it is certainly the primary means by which we retain our human dignity.
Satan's favorite temptation is to tell you that you don't have a choice about your behavior. The reason he wants you to believe that is he wants you to be something less than human. No matter how bad your choices may have been, never give up responsibility for them, because once you do you also give up a piece of your soul.
God can forgive and redeem your guilt, but he cannot forgive those who are not responsible. And without forgiveness none of us can have our humanity restored to what it was at creation. So the last thing you want to do is tell God that your parents, chromosomes, boss, or ex-spouse are to blame for your actions. You might as well turn in your Human Being ID card.
One of the most important things to remember about your freedom to choose, the Apostle Paul says, is that you have the capacity to say "no." It's such a spiritual word because it demonstrates that you are not addicted. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you have to. Thus, the mark of being truly free is that you are even free to choose not to use your freedom.
-- Craig Barnes