If you are taking the time to read this article it is likely that you are at least somewhat curious about spiritual matters.  It is also likely that, at times, you may have been involved in some sort of discussion about spiritual matters.  If both premises are correct, then you have likely heard a statement similar to: “I don’t see anything wrong with that.”  Sadly, too many folks do not see the wrong in many sinful activities.  Furthermore, too many folks are more interested in what they perceive as right or wrong rather than what God says is right or wrong.

     We ought to be a people that could be complimented by statements such as “…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).  We ought to be a people who are known for being searchers within the inspired word of God (John 5:39).  We ought to be a people who are known for being able to give an answer from the word of God when we are asked to (I Peter 3:15; 4:11).  We ought to be a people who are set for the defense of the Gospel (Philippians 1:17).  We ought to be a people whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law we would be known to meditate day and night (Psalms 1:1-2).  We should be a people who have the attitude of the Psalmist: “Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes” (Psalms 119:12).

     We should never be a people who say “I don’t see anything wrong with that”.  Isaiah said: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20)!  The point made from the inspired words written by Isaiah has not been lost over time.  Society as well as erring brethren of today call evil good and good evil.  The need for those who do wrong to justify their actions will never cease.  There will always be some who are not ashamed of the evil that they do (Jeremiah 6:15), but the overall need man has to be justified in their actions has not fallen by the wayside.  We need to be a people who seek to be justified through God’s word.  If we do such, we will begin asking “what is right with that?”

     It is sad that Jesus had to ask: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?  Today, we see that people start saying and doing things without ever consulting our Lord through His word.  People choose their own way without ever considering how they will have to eat the fruit of their path (Proverbs 1:31).  When Christians begin to seek their own way they have become apostate (Isaiah 53:6).  Those that choose their own ways delight in their abominations (Isaiah 66:3).  Being a follower of the Lord is not about self, it is about Him (I John 2:3).

     If we are to move away from the ever popular idea that our way is the right way, we are going to have to start consulting the word of God.  We have to be a people who look for authority to say and do PRIOR to our actions. Solomon wrote: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).  However, true wisdom is not of man, but of God.  When Paul wrote the Corinthian brethren he was clear to declare that he did not speak from his wisdom so that their faith would stand in the Lord instead of the wisdom of men (I Corinthians 2:1-5).  Men often think they have the best answers.  Men think they can solve all kinds of problems.  I have to part with the wisdom of many men in this regard.  I share in the words of wisdom that Jeremiah penned: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).  I believe the inspired words of Solomon: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
We have to focus on getting things right by going back to the Bible.  If God says something is good and acceptable, then we not only can, but must do that thing (Colossians 3:17; cf. Matthew 17:5).  Saying that we do not see the wrong is something is the backwards approach to what is right.  We should seek the book, chapter, and verse of the Bible which authorizes our words and actions by way of direct statement, approved example, or something that is implicitly stated.  If something is not authorized, or is not a necessary tool to fulfill something that is authorized, we should not have any part in that matter (Deuteronomy 12:32).  Our opinions, which we have already concluded are often wrong, should never give way into deciding what is right or wrong in spiritual matters.  If we simply seek that “it is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; cf.  Colossians 3:17), we will not find ourselves doing that which is displeasing to the Lord.

     People who truly desire to please God are people who look to Him for the answers (Psalms 40:8).  Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). It is that simple!   God the Father wants us to obey His Son (Matthew 17:5).  We should therefore not walk in the ways of sin.  Those things which we did before putting on Christ, in the ways of the flesh, should have been put behind us.  These things were made clear as when Peter wrote: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:13-19).  The love of Christ was shown through His death for us, let us show our love for Him through our obedience (John 14:15).

     We should always look for authority by what is shown to be right.  However, some have the idea if they can’t find wrong then something must be right.  If this theory is true, then why did the sons of Aaron (Nadab and Abihu) die because of their offering strange [unauthorized] fire in worship to God (Leviticus 10:1-2 and Numbers 3:4)?  They died because authority does not come through God by way of His silence.  In Numbers 20:7-13, God told Moses to speak to the rock.  Moses struck the rock twice with his rod. God was displeased, and punished Moses by forbidding him to lead Israel into the Promised Land.  Did Moses say, "You didn't say not to strike the rock"?  God’s silence is not permissive, it is restrictive.  It will not play to our advantage to stand before God with our excuse for sin being that He never explicitly condemned a particular action.

     If we transgress the doctrine of Christ we do not have God (II John 9).  Just as we expect to get what we ask for from our children, restaurants, and many other service businesses; God expects to get what He ordered of us without addition or subtraction (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6, Matthew 15:1-9, Galatians 1:6-12, I Peter 4:11, and Revelation 22:18-19).  Could you imagine taking your car to get an oil change and getting a $1500 bill?  You then ask why and they say that they didn’t see anything wrong with putting new brakes, shocks, and tires on your car.  You would flip and they would argue that they did it with the best of intentions.  You would ask where you authorized those repairs.  That is what God will ask of you when you do that which He did not authorize (II Samuel 7:1ff.).

     Many have and will make statements like these: “I don’t see anything wrong with mechanical instrumental music in worship to God.”  “I don’t see anything wrong with smoking cigarettes.”  “I don’t see anything wrong with social drinking.”  “I don’t see anything wrong with sending the Lord’s money here or there.”  Folks, the problem with this concept is, what we see as wrong will not matter in the Judgment Day.  It will be what God says that will judge us (John 12:48).  Therefore, if God has not said it is right, you can full well expect that He will tell you that it was wrong.