Monday, April 8, 2024
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV
How many times have you heard someone say, "That's just not right!" There is a feeling that what has been said or done is unjust, dangerous, discriminatory, or against their values.
Somehow they feel that what has been done should not have been done or said. If I were to ask my mother why I should do right, the answer would be very clear, "Because I said so."
A simple answer would be, "Because God said so." Simple answers don't always answer complex questions.
Proper behavior is not created by law or controlled by others. It is the result of proper thinking and discipline. No one can truly change another…even if they control them. We are each responsible for our actions. 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?
The value of doing right is often its motivation.
"Why do the right thing? What makes something right or wrong?"…These are legitimate questions. People often find it difficult to try to do right if they don't understand why. Some fear that moral standards are disappearing but the truth is they are multiplying. New standards for "modern man" threaten traditional, Biblical values.
Although what man does has changed, what man is has not. Every individual must face the fact that there are things destructive they must not do and things beneficial they must do. The problem of moral behavior is not in knowing values, but in doing right.
The ability to know and decide for right is based in wisdom - which is a gift of God. Wisdom sees life from an eternal perspective - God's perspective.
Four Levels of Living:
Instinctive (animal) - Babies act at this level demanding attention to their desires. This philosophy is expressed with the "If it feels good, do it" statement. There is no regard for anyone but self. The instinctive level shows the urges of men expressed without restriction or responsibility. This individual has no concept of future consequence and sees only the moment as important.
Customary (others) - More than just living according to the customary or accepted ways of a group this is truly living for others. Many young people who pride themselves on their freedom are slaves to others. "Everybody else is doing it" is a statement of philosophy. Individuals following this philosophy have no personal values but find values only in what others believe is right. The problem is everybody has been wrong before.
Conscience (self) - Conscience living is living with clear-cut personal convictions that are driven by an internal sense of what is right and wrong. A present day statement expresses this philosophy…"What you believe is not as important as that you live your belief." In other words the value is that you are true to yourself.
Christian - Christian living is living according to God’s standards and purpose. The Bible and the Holy Spirit become important to decision making. a. Make the decision to let God be God. You'll never make progress in this area as long as you refuse to give up control.
God and his Word carry the ultimate authority in determining whether something is right or wrong. Prayer and meditation are primary actions in determining morality.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
