Right: Living Uprightly Before God

God guides the humble in the right way (Ps 25:9). We need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live upright and God honouring lives, and when we fail, we need to repent, ask for forgiveness and get back on the right path (1 Jn 1:9).

The Choice to Do Right

God clearly indicated to Cain, like our conscience does to us, that we have a choice to either do right and be blessed or do wrong and come under its power and suffer the consequences (Gen 4:7). We cannot excuse ourselves by saying, “Satan made me do it.” While Satan tempts us and our flesh has evil desires, Genesis 4:7 shows that we have the deciding vote: we can rule over sin or allow it to rule over us. So we must take responsibility for our choices and discipline ourselves to do what is right. God gives us the freedom to decide our response: “If you do what I command you and do what is right…” (1 Kgs 11:38). We do not, however, have the right to choose the consequences of those choices.

While all humanity knows in their hearts right from wrong, because of the bias towards sin, the evil route is mostly taken (Rom 2:15, 7:18). If we do what is right there is no need to try and justify wrong actions with excuses.

The choice is ours, to do right or wrong

The Standard of Right

Without the truth and standards of the Bible, clear directions from authorities and sound personal values, compromise will cause standards to slip and chaos will result as everyone does whatever seems right in their own eyes. However, by doing things God’s right way, order and blessing will result (Jdg 17:6; Prov 3:5-6, 12:15, 14:2, 21:2).

In contrast to King Saul who repeatedly failed to carry out God’s specific instructions—with judgement and penalties following—may we hear God’s voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” and obey it. Otherwise we are sinning (1 Sam 13:8-13, 15:1-31; Isa 30:21; Mt 7:13-14; Jas 4:17).

God’s way is the right way

The Practice of Right

In every situation endeavour to have a right attitude, good judgement, positive actions and truthful words, knowing we are answerable in each area of life (Mt 5:28, 12:36-37, 16:27; Rom 2:16, 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10). The Bible says, “Blessed are they who constantly do what is right” (Ps 106:3).

We should consistently do right even when others are not watching. God is watching, and we are ultimately responsible to Him. What is done in secret will be rewarded (Mt 6:4,6,18).

Although many of our desires are normal and good, yet they must only be met in the right way and at the right time. Persistent sin dulls the conscience and makes us forget to do right (Amos 3:10).

Doing right requires self-discipline. It means choosing to deny immediate gratification, wrong desires, and the easy path when they conflict with God’s way. When we keep the long-term outcome in view, we find fresh motivation to choose rightly, for today’s right choice leads to blessing, peace, and reward, while the wrong choice leads to regret and consequences.

Right thinking leads to right behaviour

Don’t be tired of doing right, for the Bible declares we will eventually reap (Gal 6:9-10). The Bible’s message is to do what is right in God’s sight and also in man’s, as much as possible, including standing up for the vulnerable, the poor and needy (Prov 31:8-9; 2 Cor 8:21; Jas 1:27).

Reflection and Application:

Do I humbly seek God’s guidance when I am unsure of the right path?
Do I accept the Bible as my standard for what is right, or do I follow my own opinion?
Do I consider the long-term harvest when I am tempted to take the easy or wrong path?

Do I keep doing right even when it is costly or tiring, trusting that I will reap in due time?