What is Christian freedom? The Apostle Paul, in the first letter to the Corinthian church, warns and encourages Christians to use wisely the freedom we have in Christ. Such freedom, when used unwisely, has the potential to damage our witness or the faith of another believer. It may seem strange to think of freedom, or the exercise of freedom, as harmful.

I define Christian freedom as the gray areas of following Christ—those areas that are not sinful but may lead to sin. Paul states it this way, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23, NASB). “All things” in both verses speak to the gray areas of faith—those areas that are not sinful but areas to be avoided for the sake of others. All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. Lawful means those things that are permitted. Profitable speaks to actions that are advantageous, beneficial, or useful. Again, all things are lawful, but not all things edify. Edify means to build up. The word literally means to “build a house.” The message of 1 Corinthians 8-10 focuses on the building up of other believers through being faithful in our Christian freedom.

A natural question is, “What are my Christian freedoms?” Let’s think through some examples. The consumption of alcohol is not prohibited in Scripture. Christ-followers have the freedom to consume alcohol. Consumption to excessive levels, however, is sinful and destructive (Ephesians 5:18). What about a glass of wine with a meal? Scripture does not condemn consumption itself, but it does command us to consider our influence and abstain if it causes us or others to stumble. Another example of Christian freedom is how we steward our income. As Christ-followers, we acknowledge that God provides for our needs. Giving back to the Lord a tenth, or tithe, of His provision is well established in Scripture (Genesis 14:20, Numbers 18:26). Of course, I can give more than a tenth as the Lord leads. Let’s say I give ten percent. Am I not free to use the remaining ninety percent as I choose? Yes and no. Every good gift is from God (James 1:17), and we are also to be faithful stewards of His gifts, applying them as He directs, for His purposes and glory. One more gray area is social activities. Am I and others drawn closer to Christ through those activities, or farther from Him?

Scripture reminds us how important it is to use our freedoms wisely in a way that honors God. “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor…whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:24, 31). 1 Peter 2:16 says “Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God.” Like Paul, let us use our Christian freedoms for God’s glory.