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“‘All things are lawful for me,’ but will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). ESV and other translations put quotation marks around “All things are lawful for me,” signifying that the translators believe–and l agree–that Paul is quoting those to whom he is writing. When he does that, he responds with something like, “Yes, but.”
Obviously “all things” is not literally everything. Paul would not say, “Fornication is lawful.” Within the category of things included, he is saying, there are things to be avoided because they enslave. We would say, “They are addictive.”
A tall macho-looking man stood outside a restaurant. I was inside and warm. Outside it was bitter cold and a strong frigid wind was blowing. The man was shivering and miserable, standing outside to get a few puffs from a cigarette. No smoking was allowed inside the restaurant. I remember thinking, “He has to be strongly addicted. How can he possibly enjoy those few puffs while freezing?”
Even if lawful, who wants to be that enslaved?
Cecil May Jr.
Faulkner University Preacher Talk