By Robert C. Archer Determining Right and Wrong

How can we determine right from wrong? By man? By man? No! No! By commandment By commandment By principles By principles

Determining Right and Wrong (1) By commandment – works of flesh (1) By commandment – works of flesh Galatians 5:19-22 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-22 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Determining Right and Wrong (1) By commandment – social sins (1) By commandment – social sins Eph. 4:25-31 Eph. 4:25-31 Therefore, putting away lying…Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor…Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Therefore, putting away lying…Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor…Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Determining Right and Wrong (1) By commandment - government (1) By commandment - government Romans 13 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Romans 13 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Determining Right and Wrong (2) By principles (2) By principles Not everything that is wrong is specifically condemned in the Bible. Not everything that is wrong is specifically condemned in the Bible.

Will it Destroy My Body? 1 Corinthians 6: Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James 1:13-16 James 1:13-16 … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James compares sin to a birth James compares sin to a birth … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James compares sin to a birth James compares sin to a birth … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James compares sin to a birth James compares sin to a birth … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James compares sin to a birth James compares sin to a birth … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Does It Cultivate Wrong Fleshly Desires? James compares sin to a birth James compares sin to a birth … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. … each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Will It Destroy My Example? 1 Timothy 4:12 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Matthew 5:13-16 Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth… “You are the salt of the earth… “You are the light of the world… “You are the light of the world… “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Will It Lead Others Into Sin? Romans 14:13 Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

Will It Cause Me To Violate My Conscience? Romans 14:23 Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Would Jesus Do It? 1 Peter 2:21 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps

Principles that Should Guide Us Glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31) Glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31) Love (Matt. 22:37-38) Love (Matt. 22:37-38) A sense of ought (Jas. 4:15) A sense of ought (Jas. 4:15) Christians live on a higher plane (2 Cor. 5:17) Christians live on a higher plane (2 Cor. 5:17)