"Wisdom Cries Out"
Do The Right Thing
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Proverbs 1.10)
This basic principle of morality often gets ignored. Hence why James reminds believers, “whoever knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4.17). The foolish person makes excuses for not doing what they know is right, and it always leads down a path of self-destruction (see Proverbs 1.18-19; 2.21-22; 6.12-15). The only way to avoid this is to call sin what it is, and reject it from the very beginning.
This is difficult because sin always plays to our desires (James 1.14). We want to be included in the group, we want to feel loved, we want to feel competent in what we are doing. Our desires often ignore reality, and prompt us to make irrational decisions. We cannot concede to our desires because it sears our conscience and puts us in the path of the foolish.
If you are on your computer and something pops up you know you shouldn’t look at... don’t click on it. If you feel like your friends are gossiping about someone... don’t let it ride; say something or exit the conversation. If your boss asks you to do something you feel is unethical... hit the pause button and don’t get swept up in the pressure of the situation.
The worst thing we can do for our conscience is ignore what we know is right. We need to be especially mindful of this principle during our time of self-isolation and quarantine. Our minds and schedules are out of sorts and it is easy to make concessions. We must resolve to do the right thing and not allow our desires to drive our actions.
"...give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4.27)
