There are two axioms I have found helpful in navigating how to enjoy God’s gifts wisely, in a way that honors him and protects my joy.

1. The use of a thing does not condone its abuse.

Just because God gives a good gift doesn’t mean we can use it however we want.

Christians can forget this when it comes to things like food. Feasting is celebrated in Scripture, yet gluttony (overeating) is quietly tolerated by many today. Rest is a blessing, but can slide into passivity or laziness when we baptize with the impenetrable claim of “self-care.” Social media can genuinely connect us to people or be a legitimate medium to learn or offer wisdom. Yet, using it for endless scrolling, to sooth our anxious, bored souls, or allow ourselves to be discipled by worldly thinking or values is something to avoid.

God’s gifts can be distorted into curses. Good things can be used in bad ways or for bad purposes. To avoid this, reflect on how and why you’re using things you enjoy.

2. The abuse of a thing does not forbid its use.

Equally, many overreact just because something can be misused.

Some believers treat alcohol as inherently sinful, but they fail to recognize the basic truth of Scripture: alcohol is a gift from God, drunkenness is from the devil. Others think money itself is wicked. They think Paul said, “money is the root of all evil.” What he actually said was, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Money, too, is a gift that is indeed abused by greedy hearts, but the abuse of a thing does not forbid its use. People abuse the stars by worshiping them, distort sex in all sorts of heinous ways, and murderer with kitchen knifes. Yet, should should we then say that stars, sex, and kitchen knives are evil? Of course not. Because the abuse of a thing does not forbid its use. When we conflate good things with their improper use, we dishonor God by rejecting his good gifts meant for our joy, wisdom, or refreshment.

The ancients coined a term for this impulse: Abusus non tollit usum, which means “Abuse does not take away proper use.” We Americans colorfully recycle it, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” By this wisdom, we’re helped to not respond to God’s gifts with fear unto rejection or license unto folly, but discernment unto life and joy.

It is evil to abuse God’s good gifts. It is equally evil to condemn God’s good gifts. Proceed from there to live wisely and joyfully.