Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:The concepts of right and wrong are foundational to biblical teaching, representing the moral and ethical standards established by God. These standards are rooted in God's character and are revealed through His commandments, laws, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Bible presents a clear dichotomy between righteousness (right) and sin (wrong), guiding believers in their conduct and decision-making.
Biblical Foundation:The Bible begins with the creation narrative, where God declares His creation "very good" (
Genesis 1:31). This establishes the inherent goodness of God's design and intentions. The introduction of sin through Adam and Eve's disobedience (Genesis 3) marks the entry of wrong into the world, contrasting with God's original plan.
The Law and the Prophets:The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, provides a detailed account of what is considered right and wrong. The Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a summary of God's moral law, emphasizing duties to God and fellow humans. The prophets further expound on these principles, calling the people back to righteousness and warning against sin.
Wisdom Literature:The wisdom books, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offer practical insights into living a life aligned with God's standards.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This underscores the importance of divine guidance in discerning right from wrong.
Teachings of Jesus:Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, reaffirms and fulfills the law, emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the commandments, addressing the heart's intentions (Matthew 5-7). He teaches that love for God and neighbor encapsulates all the law and the prophets (
Matthew 22:37-40).
The Role of the Holy Spirit:The New Testament highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into all truth (
John 16:13). The Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (
John 16:8), empowering Christians to live according to God's standards.
Pauline Epistles:The Apostle Paul addresses right and wrong extensively in his letters. In
Romans 12:2 , he urges believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Paul emphasizes living by the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh (
Galatians 5:16-25), presenting a clear contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
Eschatological Perspective:The Bible concludes with a vision of ultimate justice and the restoration of righteousness. Revelation depicts the final judgment, where God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked (
Revelation 20:11-15). This eschatological hope motivates believers to pursue righteousness and shun evil.
Practical Application:Believers are called to discern right from wrong through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The Bible encourages a life of holiness, integrity, and love, reflecting God's character in a fallen world. As
James 1:22 exhorts, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Topical Bible Verses
Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
988. blasphemia -- slander... Blasphemy (988 ) ""
right for
wrong (
wrong for
right), ie calls what God "" which
"exchanges the truth of God for a lie" (Ro 1:25). See 987 ().
...2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... 2919 ("distinguish, judge") typically refers to making a determination of
right orwrong (innocence or guilt), especially on an ()....
145. aistheterion -- organ of perception
... a neuter noun derived from , "perceive, discern ") -- properly, "the organ of " (),
emphasizing the result of () -- ie to know what isright orwrong in God's...
4893. suneidesis -- consciousness, spec. conscience
... image. Accordingly, people have this God-given capacity to knowright from
wrong because each is a (cf. Jn 1:4,7,9; Gen 1:26,27)....
Strong's Hebrew
4941. mishpat -- judgment... form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure,
(due) order, ordinance,
right, sentence, usest, X worthy, +
wrong.
...Library
Of the Character of the Human Will which Makes the Affections of...
... Book XIV. Chapter 6."Of the Character of the Human Will Which Makes the
Affections of the SoulRight orWrong. But the character...
Error of those who Think that There is no AbsoluteRight andWrong...
... Book III. Chapter 14."Error of Those Who Think that There is No Absolute
Right andWrong. 22. But when men unacquainted with other...
Man's Responsibility for his Acts.
... Morality and religion were rarely combined. The Hebrew people were the first to
defineright andwrong in terms of personal life and service....
The Christian Man
... ruling out of any personal responsibility on the part of man for his thoughts or
actions, the obliteration of the distinction betweenright andwrong and the...
In the Sod Cellar
... But because she had warned them, she felt that she had done her duty and that they
ought to knowright fromwrong in regard to that matter without further...
My Brother Eusebius Writes to Me That, when He was at a Meeting of...
... In any case, whether my translation isright orwrong, I am to be condemned: I must
either confess that in my new work I waswrong, or else that by my new...
The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... promise. Was Abrahamright orwrong in yielding to Sarah's wish? Was Sarah
right orwrong in her attitude toward Hagar? Was Hagar's...
Eusebius the Bishop of C??sarea, of whom I have Made Mention Above...
... You enter into a warm dispute with others, and bandy mutual reproaches with men
of your own order; whether you areright orwrong in this is for you to say....
AllRight or allWrong.
... AllRight or allWrong. I remember when in the old country a young man
came to me"a minister"and said he wanted to talk with me....
Edwards -- Spiritual Light
... Conscience is a principle natural to men; and the work that it doth naturally, or
of itself, is to give an apprehension ofright andwrong, and to suggest to...
Resources
What does Jonah 4:11 mean by people who cannot tell their right hand from their left? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to distinguish right from wrong? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the right religion for me? | GotQuestions.orgRight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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