But it also says I shouldn’t.
I often encounter people who claim to be Christians doing things that I don’t believe Christians should do. Obviously we’re all still sinners continuously in need of grace and forgiveness, but often they try to justify it and claim that it isn’t sin. Often times, they’re technically correct:
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
1 Corinthians 10:23
If you’re wondering what sorts of things I’m talking about, a couple examples might be cussing or watching R-rated/”bad” movies. A lot of people do these things, and technically it’s not a sin. However Paul (and others) tell us to love our neighbors, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, and these sorts of things can hurt their consciences or even put Christians in a bad light to those who don’t know Christ.
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24
This is the verse immediately after the previous one. So with everything we do, we should not consider only whether or not it is OK for ourselves, but also what kind of affect it will have on others. If other Christians or non-Christians know I went to see Deadpool (I didn’t actually), what kind of affect will it have on their perception of me, and consequently, other Christians?
It is absolutely your choice to do something like that, and I won’t judge you for it, but I do know that it can have an effect on you and others around you. We all need to be aware of those effects.
But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
In short: all of your actions and choices should consider others and how those actions reflect on God.