What does the Bible say about right and wrong?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that right and wrong are defined by God’s holy character and revealed will, not by human preference, and that all people need Christ’s saving grace to love and do what is right. Isaiah 5:20 warns against reversing God’s moral order, while Proverbs 14:12 cautions that a path may seem right yet lead to death. Jesus says in John 3:19-21 that sin loves darkness, but those who practice truth come to the light. James 4:17 includes failing to do known good among sin, and Mark 7:20-23 locates evil in the human heart. Through faith, the Spirit renews believers to fulfill love, which Romans 13:8-10 calls the fulfillment of God’s law.
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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.
- Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, And light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, And sweet for bitter!
- Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.
- John 3:19-21
[19] This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. [21] But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."
- Mark 7:20-23
[20] He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. [21] For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, [22] covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
- Romans 7:15-22
[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. [16] But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. [17] So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. [19] For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. [20] But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. [21] I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. [22] For I delight in God's law after the inward man,
- Romans 13:1
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
- Romans 13:8-10
[8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
- 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.
- Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
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