"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything."
What good and lawful things have I submitted to as my master instead of God? What hungers do I obey more often than Christ? Have I let my blessings lead me to a sense of entitlement and poor stewardship with my finances? Have I let material blessings lead me to selfishness? Have I let my sexual desires spoil my marriage or lead me to take advantage of my wife? Have I let my hunger and enjoyment of food lead me to gluttony? Have I let comfort lead me to laziness? Have I let logic and reason lead me to arguments and division? Material blessings, comfort, food, sexuality, intellect... these are all good blessings from God that I have allowed to be my master instead of Jesus. I can enjoy these things without letting them lead me to sin if I focus on Christ as my master. I must seek first to honor Him with my time, my thoughts, my attitudes, my heart, my speech and my actions. Everything must be brought before my master and by His authority, brought into submission. My hungers and blessings for that matter, will never submit to me (or Christ) unless I fully submit to Christ first.
God, humble me and be my master... even if by force. Discipline my flesh and bring me into full submission to You. Forgive me for allowing your good blessings to become my master and god. Remove my rebellion and bring my flesh under Your control... even if by force.
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