Is It Right, Or Is It Wrong?

Prov. 4:14-15 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Sincere Christians always seek God's guidance in their daily activities. The first mention of the name "Christian" is found in Acts 11:26 as it is apparent there was found a noticably different lifestyle in them, the followers of Christ, by the other citizens of Antioch. We who claim to be Christians today must depend upon the word of God for our own daily direction in following the commands of God.

Prov. 4:25-27 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Prov. 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

But situations often arise that test the ability of the Christian to discern right from wrong or to make the better choice. Situations vary, but the word of God remains an absolute guide; this is the only way we can keep our walk within God's will:

Rom. 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine God's view on situations which arise in our daily life:

1. Can you ask God to bless it? Prov. 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
2. Can you thank Him for it? Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
3. Is it to the glory of God? 1 Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Or is it of the world? 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
4. Is it a stumbling block to others? 1 Cor. 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
5. Will it be a weight? Heb. 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
6. Is it to please God or man? Col. 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
7. Do I realize the consequences? Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. Will it serve the right master? Matt. 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
9. Will His indwelling presence permit it? 1 Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
10. Would I want to be doing this when Christ comes again? Matt. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
11. Does it promote love? Rom. 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
12. Is it something Christ would take part in Himself? Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.