But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. I Titus 1:5
We should walk constantly aware that life is filled with decisions regarding right and wrong. Right is not so hard to discover as it is to desire and perform. Why should we do what is right?
Do what is right because it creates a proper character
Character is displayed by what people do, not what they think or believe. Doing the right thing often leads to thinking of the right way by the positive results we receive. A solid truth is, “DO what you want to BE.” Doing what is right normally leads to being around others who do what is right, and friends have great impact on character.
Do what is right because it benefits others
No man is an island, no man stands alone - Therefore, your right decisions bless your life and others around you. In the same sense, wrong actions, attitudes or responses affect much more than the individual doing them.
Surround yourself with people who are further along in the journey. There is no reason to learn every lesson yourself when you have perfectly good examples right in front of you. Take advantage of this counsel and learn from the mistakes of others so your own learning curve is not so steep. You can take comfort in knowing that one day your mistakes may serve to help someone else.
Do what is right because it’s fulfilling and purposeful
Very little pleasure or fun does anything constructive or beneficial. Proverbs 7 God’s guidance means that a fair question is, “What did you do this week or even today that furthered the kingdom?” Fulfillment is a much higher feeling than pleasure. It gives a sense of self-worth and dignity.
Do what is right because it displays God in you– The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24 NASB
True morality without God is impossible. For, without his direction, proper behavior in all situations is impossible. The man who disdains God may be good, but he won’t be right. Right is more than good…it is the proper thing at the proper occasion for the proper purpose. Many times, what we are doing wrong in our lives is not just ethical but destructive to someone or ourselves because of when we do it, how much we invest in it to the loss of better things or what we do not do in order to do it. There is nothing wrong with work, sports, shopping or even religion until they get out of balance.
Do what is right because wrong is sin and separates you from God
Truth is truth regardless of whether it is accepted or followed. The truth is that sin is condemned by God and punished. You cannot live wrong and be right with God. It is God’s joy to lead us into an abundant life, not for us to experience the destructive nature of sin or wrong. Sin will be condemned and destroyed. Beware being connected to it when it is.
Tests for Right
- Test of affect - How will this affect me, others, God's work?
- Test of secrecy or openness - Do I care if anyone else knows?
- Test of universality - What if everyone did this?
- Test of prayer - Can I ask God to go with me?
Use these questions to check yourself on every decision you make. The last one is a big one: Could you take God with you everywhere you are choosing to go? If you are going somewhere or doing something that you would keep you from taking God with you, then you definitely shouldn’t go there. Just being in the wrong place can lead to a domino effect you don’t want in your life. You have to protect yourself and your heart.
Which level are you living on? Always doing whatever you want, when you want to without regard to affect? Doing what everyone else does without considering personal responsibility? Acting in accordance with conviction and yet not really knowing where those convictions came from? Following God trusting that his direction is the best for your life?
Never give up. Let yourself off the hook. Be glad about your progress. You didn't start showing poor judgment overnight and you won't always show good judgment now, just because you want to. Little by little as you gain wisdom from God's Word, you'll begin to see the results reflected in your decisions.
Scripture to Claim:
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
