praying effectively: Seek Good for Others (1 Cor.10:23-33)

(1 Corinthians 10:23-33)  All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we should not put extra strain on ourselves as to living above reproach when it comes to other people's views on things, because as soon as we open the door to speculations, we could be introducing a necessary and awkward moral decision to be made (10:25-30)

- that whatever we do should not offend anyone, Christian or not (10:32)

- that we should seek the good for others, and not be selfish or self-serving (10:24, 33)

- that whatever we do should be done to God's glory (10:31)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom.  Guide us to make wise decisions regarding what we do and say when we are around people - so that everything we do will be to Your glory.  Help us be sensitive to other people's feelings and perspectives.  May we be respectful and loving, while all the while remaining steadfast in Your will, in order to be a living testimony to those around us.  Amen.