Not long ago I taught a series of lessons from questions people asked.  One of those questions was, “How can I tell the difference between right and wrong?”

Current society makes this a very pertinent inquiry.  From television and movies to books, radio, news, and the internet we receive mixed messages that cloud our vision and our judgement.  We are experiencing a major shift in societal paradigm, what we think most people commonly understand to be wrong is not always wrong in the eyes of many.  Consider the following list: 1. co-habitation (living together), 2. unmarried couples vacationing together, 3. sexual relationships before and outside of marriage, 4. divorce, 5. homosexuality, 6. abortion, 7. recreational use of drugs and alcohol, and 8. profanity (especially the flippant, disrespectful use of the name of God), This list could continue.  These are now accepted norms.

This shift reminds me of the words of Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Or of Isaiah’s warning, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20-21).

Do not let anyone confuse you; There is good and there is evil.  There is right and there is wrong!  Our responsibility is to discern between good and evil; to know what is right and good and to act accordingly.  How?  Notice Hebrews, 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Constant practice!  Experience!  That is the best way to know good from evil. I think that is what Paul has in mind when he says the way to find yourself approved of God is by diligence (study, doing your best) – cf. 2 Tim 2:15.

Consider Joseph in Genesis 39.  After Mrs. Potiphar approached him repeatedly with her offer, he did not say,

“What about STD’s?”

“What if you get pregnant?”

“What if Potiphar discovers us?’

He proclaimed, “How can I do this great wickedness against God?”