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What does the Bible say about doing the right thing?

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The Bible teaches that doing what is right is the grateful fruit of faith: believers are called to obey God, seek justice, resist evil, and persevere even when obedience is costly. James 4:17 warns that knowingly neglecting good is sin, while Proverbs 21:3 says righteousness and justice please God more than sacrifice. Isaiah 1:17 and Proverbs 31:8-9 call God's people to defend the vulnerable. Yet Romans 7:15 honestly acknowledges our struggle with sin, so we rely on Christ rather than our own strength. In Christ, we overcome evil with good, sow to the Spirit, and do all in his name, trusting God for the final harvest.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • James 4:17

    To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

  • Romans 12:21

    Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • Isaiah 1:17

    Learn to do well. Seek justice, Relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

  • Proverbs 21:3

    To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

  • Colossians 3:17

    Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

  • Matthew 5:10-12

    [10] Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • Romans 7:15

    For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

  • Galatians 6:7-16

    [7] Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. [11] See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. [12] As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. [14] But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [16] As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel.

  • Proverbs 31:8-9

    [8] Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."

  • 2 Chronicles 15:7

    But be you strong, and don't let your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.

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