Christian Discipleship Course 11.

Question and answer: “How do I know if something is right or wrong?”

The Bible is our primary way of finding if something is right or wrong. The Holy Spirit will also convict us if something is wrong, and He will lead us to do good works. We must learn what the Bible teaches and we need to become sensitive to the small still voice of the Holy Spirit. Don’t just follow the crowd – even in the church! (Not everyone lives a holy life).

Romans 9:1 ‘I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit’

Many bad things are legal and socially acceptable in different societies, for example abortion or drunkenness, but they are not right in God’s eyes.

If the Bible does not address an issue directly, we need to look to a spiritual principle that can be applied to it. For example, the Bible does not say, ‘Drugs are bad’ but it does say, ‘Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, do not defile it’ 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17, 2 Corinthians 6:16.

If the law of the land directly contravenes or contradicts God’s law, then it is acceptable to break ‘man’s’ law in order to obey God’s higher law. E.g. In some countries the Bible is banned, yet missionaries take Bibles in against the law, because God’s word is more important Acts 5:29.

Wisdom: Would you enter a field that you knew had land mines in it? Likewise, if something could be sin, why take the risk?

Always ask yourself what would Jesus do in any given situation? How would He react? What would He say? Would He visit these ‘places’? And if He did, what would He do? Could it form an ungodly habit? Can I thank God for it, or ask Him to bless it? Are you being secretive about it? Will it cause pain or hurt to other people?

Fact: It is better to be safe than to be sorry. One wrong action could ruin your testimony.

Think: Am I doing ‘things’ which may be wrong in God’s eyes? Or am I setting a bad example for a fellow brother or sister?

More Info: 1 Chronicles 21:1-6, 2 Chronicles 25:5-10, Acts 24:16, Romans 2:15, 6:9-23, 7:14-25, 14:1,23, 1 Corinthians Chapter 8, 10:13, 23, 28-33, 11:1, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Timothy 4, 5:17-20, Titus 1:15, 1 Peter 3:16, 1 John 3:18-21.