2.  We live in a time not unlike the time of the Judges: Judg. 21:25  A time of declining morals, rationalization of sin, political correctness gone to seed.  Satan is our adversary: 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3; Eph. 4:14; Gal. 4:10-11; Col. 2:18-19  It is not popular to stand up and say “wrong is wrong”! 2 Cor. 6:17 2

4.  We can fool a lot of people, but can never fool God: Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13  One day God will bring all out into the open: Eccl. 12:14  We can hide our “secrets” from men but not from God: Rom. 2:16 4 Wrong Is Wrong!

5.  Some commit sin because it doesn’t violate man’s law: 1 Pet. 2:13-15; Acts 5:29  Just because something is not “illegal” doesn’t mean God approves.  We must remember: God has His own standards: Isa. 55:8-9 God has His own standards: Isa. 55:8-9 Man can’t direct his own steps: Jer. 10:23 Man can’t direct his own steps: Jer. 10:23 Must let the Lord guide us: Prov. 3:5-7 Must let the Lord guide us: Prov. 3:5-7 God always has our best interests in mind: 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 10:10 God always has our best interests in mind: 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 10:10 5 Wrong Is Wrong!

6.  Men are good at rationalizing sin.  It is certainly true God forgives if we confess our sins: 1 Jn. 1:9  But that doesn’t give us a license to rationalize sin: 1 Jn. 1:7  God only forgives when we truly repent: Acts 26:20 6 Wrong Is Wrong!

7.  Many think anything their preacher approves of is OK.  Reminds me of the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day: Jer. 5:31  Our first allegiance is always to God: 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 11:1  Justifying behavior because its OK with the preacher betrays a gross lack of study of God’s Word on our part: Acts 17:11 7 Wrong Is Wrong!

8.  Just because God’s word doesn’t condemn something doesn’t mean it’s good to do: 1 Thess. 5:22  Such situations often arise in financial dealings, dealings with the opposite sex, dealings involving favoritism.  Also may involve “sins of omission”: Jas. 4:17 8 Wrong Is Wrong!

9.  Some justify sin as long as “nobody gets hurt.”  What a bogus excuse! Matt. 5:14-16  John Donne: “No Man Is An Island”  Everything we do affects someone! 9 Wrong Is Wrong!

10.  Some justify sin as long as “its for a good cause.”  An “honorable” purpose does not justify a dishonorable deed!  Paul taught this: Rom. 3:8  Sin is transgression of God’s law: 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17; 2 Jn. 9  All we do must be authorized by God: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:17 10 Wrong Is Wrong!

11.  Our conscience acts as a “governor” on our behavior.  But, our conscience must be properly trained: Acts 8:3; 26:9-11; 23:1  We must train our conscience with God’s word: 1 Tim. 2:9-10  Even if our conscience is properly trained, we shouldn’t “override” it: 1 Tim. 4:2 11 Wrong Is Wrong!

12.  We are good at making excuses for our sins.  In reality there is no excuse for sin; either good excuses or bad excuses! Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23  Adam thought he had a good excuse: Gen. 3:12  Will God accept our excuses? Jas. 1:12-15; 1 Cor. 10:13 12 Wrong Is Wrong!

13.  Many justify sin because “everybody is doing it!”  Not a good reason: Ex. 23:2  Because “everybody is doing it” is a poor excuse! Prov. 4:14-15; 1:10, 15-16  We need to reject the world instead of being friendly with it: 2 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:17-20; 1 Thess. 5:21-22 13 Wrong Is Wrong!

14. 14  Wrong is always wrong!  As God’s people let us aspire to live pure lives: 1 Jn. 3:2-3; 2 Cor. 7:1