In the Bible, the ability to discern right from wrong is rooted in a personal relationship with God and a commitment to following His will. As James 4:17 teaches, knowing what is right and failing to do it is sin, emphasizing the importance of putting faith into action. The influence of evil company, as warned against in 1 Corinthians 15:33, can also cloud one's judgment, while Jesus' words in Mark 7:20-23 highlight the heart's role in determining right and wrong. Through confession and repentance, as seen in 1 John 1:9, believers can seek forgiveness and guidance, and by watching and praying, as Jesus advises in Matthew 26:41, they can stay alert to temptation and choose the right path.
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Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.