What Are God’s Rules For Right And Wrong?
Answer: God has given us his Word, the Bible, which tells us about him and how he wants us to live.
So we must do our best to obey what God tells us in his Word. Jesus said that the most important rule (called a commandment) is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
‘ This is the first and greatest command. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself”” (Matthew 22:37-39).
We should love God first and then other people. If we do that, we will do what is right.
Also, God wants us to develop a desire for the best, not just second best. Some activities may not be wrong but aren’t best for us.
We should do what is best and not settle for anything less. Making right, moral choices means not just saying no to bad actions but also saying yes to what is good and helpful.
Key verses: Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest command. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Related verses: Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-22
Note to parents: A child may think that being good means just avoiding the bad. Help your child to see that being good means making a positive choice to please God in everything we do.
And we seek to do so because we know that God seeks our best.
When I Ask A Question Why Do You Always Tell Me What The Bible Says?
Answer: The Bible is God’s Word. When we read it, we leam what God is like and how he wants us to live in this world.
Think of the Bible as an instruction book, like the one for the family car. If we do what the book says, the car will run right.
If something goes wrong, we can read the book and find out how to fix it. The Bible is God’s instruction book for our lives.
We need to read and study it so that we will run right and so God can fix things that go wrong with us. It’s not enough just to read the Bible; we also must do what it says.
Key verse: The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God. It is useful to teach us what is true. It helps us to know what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and helps us do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Related verse: Psalm 119:105
Related question: Why do you have to read the Bible so much?
Note to parents: One of the most powerful ways to help your child learn right from wrong is to read a Bible verse together that deals with a specific moral issue (such as honesty or lying) and then talk about how this might affect your own family life.
For example, you could read Ephesians 4:25 and then call to mind the last time your child spoke the truth when it was difficult to do so.
Perhaps you asked your child, “What are you doing?” and your child spoke honestly, despite being afraid of getting into trouble.
This will reinforce the moral principle as well as its importance.
Is It A Sin If You’re Not Sure If Something Is Wrong But You Still Go Along With It?
Answer: It is not necessarily a sin to do something that we don’t know is right or wrong. We can’t know everything, and we shouldn’t assume that everything we don’t know about is wrong.
On the other hand, if you have doubts and think it might be wrong, you’d better make sure before doing it. Put off doing it; then read the Bible and ask Mom or Dad.
Remember, you should choose what is best, not just avoid what is wrong.
Key verse: Anyone who believes that something he wants to do is wrong shouldn’t do it. He sins ifhe does. He thinks it is wrong, and so for him it is wrong.
Anything that is done apart from what he feels is right is sin. (Romans 14:23)
Related verse: 1 Corinthians 4:4
Related question: If you know you are doing something bad and your parents said you’re allowed to do it, is it right or wrong?
Note to parents: This touches on the issue of peer pressure. Kids don’t always know what is right and wrong.
They really don’t. Whenever your kids report that they avoided doing something that they weren’t quite sure about, affirm them.
This may also be a good time to explain the Four Cs: Consider the choice, Compare our attitudes and actions to God, Commit to God’s ways, and Count on God’s protection and provision.