On Gauging Right and Wrong
August 2, 2009
As people of faith, our desire is to serve the Lord. We want to make right choices before our God. But there are times when we are confronted by what might be termed “moral dilemmas.” Don’t feel badly if you are sometimes faced with difficult choices between right and wrong. Even the apostle Paul faced this tension (Rom. 7:14-20). But he made the right choices. The question is, how can we do the same? Well, just ask yourself three questions. First, does the Bible speak directly to this behavior? Scripture serves as a “divine filter” for all who wish to obey the Lord (Psa. 119:11). Secondly, can I do this behavior only around certain people? If the entire church were present, would you perform that act? Think about it — if choices are acceptable only when we are with certain people, we need to make an adjustment (1 Cor. 15:33). Finally, would this behavior be pursued by the most faithful person I know? Most Christians have a spiritual mentor aside from Christ (1 Thess. 1:6-7). Would that spiritual mentor — a person walking with Jesus in an exemplary fashion in your estimation — do what you are thinking of doing? If not, the behavior is probably one that you should not pursue, either. What can we say to this, West Broad and Friends? Only that we live in a world that will constantly present us with behavioral choices. As we work to gauge right and wrong, we trust our God to help us make choices that bring honor to him and us! Think about it, and make sure your “gauge” is working correctly! —JLNJR (Resource: Gospel Advocate, 5/09, 38-40).
