For every right principle, there is a corresponding wrong principle: truth and falsity, love and hatred, justice and injustice. We distinguish these principles as right and wrong. Discerning between these requires moral sense or conscience. Remember: man was created in God’s image and His law was put in our hearts. Romans 2:15 (ESV), “what the law requires is written on their (Gentiles) hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them.” However, mankind has hardened their consciences and we all need careful educating to understand God’s wonderful laws.
So, how do we educate ourselves to know right from wrong, life and death, blessing and cursing? The Apostle Paul told Timothy (2:15) “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It is necessary to study the Bible to know God’s will and learn how to apply His principles. The refining of these concepts in our minds will only come after we try to apply them in our life experiences. As imperfect men, we will certainly fail, but “a just man falls seven times, and rises up again,” Proverbs 24:16. So, don’t give up! Our development is a life-long endeavor.
The Apostle Paul struggled valiantly to accomplish this goal. Romans 7:19-22 (RSV), “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self.” Paul’s inner self delighted to serve God completely, but his flesh was weak. We struggle just as Paul did.
How glad we are that we have a merciful Father who encourages us in Hebrews 4:16 to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”! We gain great comfort knowing “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” Hebrews 4:15. Jesus understands and will always help us!