The question of right or wrong is a never-ending one for people of all ages. Young people especially are forced to struggle with it today. The pressures of friends, advertising, and the confusion and uncertainty of many adults about what is right or wrong add to the problem.
Everyone has questions. Where can people turn for the answer?
The Bible is the best source of help. It presents God’s unchanging standard of right and wrong. However, the Bible does not deal specifically with every question that we face. It is more like a compass than a road map. A road map gives a detailed description of a specific terrain. A compass gives general directions and leaves you to find the best road to your destination. The Bible gives specific and detailed answers to some of our questions. Others must be dealt with on the basis of principles.
There are several questions that you should ask yourself if you are struggling with whether some issue is right or wrong.
- Does the Bible specifically forbid it? If so, it is a sin and that is your answer.
- Will it defile my body? Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are to keep it pure.
- Will it lead to lust? The Bible says that whoever looks on another to lust after them is guilty of adultery (Leviticus 18:28). Sin is first a thought before it becomes an act.
- Will it hurt my relationship with Christ? This is to be guarded at all costs and anything that hurts it is to be eliminated.
- Will it set a bad example for others? Paul said that if drinking wine or doing anything that would cause somebody else to stumble and fall, he would deny himself that pleasure (Romans 14:21). We are our brother’s keeper. And God holds us responsible for our influence.
- Can I do this with a clear conscience? Would I feel guilty or ashamed if my family, my preacher, or someone else knew about it? The desire to keep a thing secret is one of the surest signs that it is wrong.
- Would it be okay for everybody else to do it? Would it be okay if your spouse did it, or your child, or your sibling, or best friend?
If you will apply these questions to most of your decisions, you can find what is right or wrong.