Developing Biblical Ethics

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

What Is My Standard For What Is Right And Wrong?

    1.  An External Authority

        Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. (Ex 23:2 - NIV)

        And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

    2.  An Internal Authority

        - We Have A Deceitful Heart

            The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

        - We Have A Limited Perspective

            There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Prov 16:25)

        - We Confuse Our Voice with God’s Voice

            My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. (Isa 55:8)

    3.  An Eternal Authority

        All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 1:25 - NLT)

        All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (2 Tim 3:16)

What Does The Bible Teach About Right And Wrong?

    1.  The Bible Speaks of Righteousness, Not Morality

        There is none righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10)

    2.  Knowing Right From Wrong Is Not Enough

        The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat , for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." (Gen 2:16-17)

    3.  There Is Value In Knowing Right From Wrong

        How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. (Prov 3:13-14)

    4.  There Is Value In Having A Moral Society

        Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. (Prov 11:11 - NLT)

        When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Prov 28:2 - NLT)

    5.  We Internally Know Right From Wrong

        They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. (Romans 2:15 - NLT)

    6.  We Do Not Do Choose Right from Wrong

    For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.   ²¹ So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³ but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:18-23, NIV)

How To Respond To What The Bible Says Is Right And Wrong?

    1.  You Need To Be A Prophet To Society

        You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world. (Matt 5:13-14)

    2.   You Need To Be A Priest To Sinners

        But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)

        Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Pt 3:15-16 - NIV)

    3.  You Need To Be A Partner To Saints

        Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (Gal 6:1)

    4.  You Need A Personal Savior

        Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (Gal 6:1)