Do Christians need to use the Bible to understand the difference between right and wrong?
Or do they have a moral conscience to guide them?
Or do Christians feel that they have no moral conscience without the Bible?
For example, do you need to refer to the Bible before answering this question?
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will be delivered."
Proverbs 28:26
"The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it? "
Jeremiah 17:9
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
Romans 3:10-12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Hebrews 4:12-13
Of course, you already knew all these things instinctively.
I’ll bet you don’t need to read a book about how to fix cars either. It just comes naturally to you.
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July 27 2009 04:45 am | Bible
1cor143435 on 27 Jul 2009 at 9:55 am #
I am a christian and I do.
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1Cor.14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
The Apostle on 27 Jul 2009 at 10:30 am #
Where do you think you got that moral conscience…..>
The bible said that God wrote His law upon your heart, so there is no one with excuse….
You are right, Your conscience knows right from wrong….>
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Christians 4 Jews on 27 Jul 2009 at 11:17 am #
Without the bible, many things appear to have gray areas. With the bible, everything is either black or white. There are no gray areas.
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Matthew on 27 Jul 2009 at 11:33 am #
The Bible is God’s authority on what is right and wrong for mankind.
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Mafia Akhira on 27 Jul 2009 at 12:05 pm #
what i donit get the guy above me if that is the the case how would women learn from such thing. and plus isn’t that verse from the new testament, because it been changed many times what ever pleases man
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Strong but fair on 27 Jul 2009 at 12:47 pm #
The Bible has many do’s and don’ts. But it also has examples of what happens when you take one direction or another. It also contains principles which help those who take the bible seriously make wiser decisions.
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KathyC on 27 Jul 2009 at 1:31 pm #
a sense of right and wrong comes from within…you pick up values as you grow and make a few of your own hopefully but unless you’re psychotic, right and wrong is more common sense which also comes from God or lack of influence from God.
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ignoramus_the_great on 27 Jul 2009 at 2:09 pm #
We all have conscious which is supposed to, at least roughly, alert of to our right and wrong doing. The Bible is a further aid to discerning morality. It strenghtens our ability in judging correcting, showing mercy, and having discipline. Meditating on the Word of God strenghtens our resolve. The Spirit of God makes a home in our heart, and too assists in the discerning of morality.
We might all know how to count, but it is better to pick up the math book, and still better to receive instruction from the author/professor.
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Jasmin on 27 Jul 2009 at 2:14 pm #
We all have a natural moral conscience;
For example:
If you murder someone- you know it’s wrong and most people will feel remorse.
If you commit adultery- you know it’s wrong and most people will feel remorse etc etc
However, the Bible tells us the 10 Commandments- which are the rules that we follow because we love Jesus, atleast that should be why we follow them, some people follow them as a religion rather than a relationship. Of course we all make mistakes and break those commandments, but thats where repentence and forgiveness comes in.
Also, I did have to refer to the Bible to answer this question
Hope I helped,
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Rachael on 27 Jul 2009 at 2:22 pm #
I’m a Christian, and have quite a bit of mistrust for the bible and organized religion in general. I don’t think that a book written by people (which, mind you, has been re-written, translated, and misinterpreted countless times) or an organization founded by people can really reflect the true meaning of faith. It’s kind of silly to think that a human being can know anything about God, and that a certain feeling about faith that applies to one person will apply to everyone 100% of the time. It’s important for people to think for themselves, especially when something so personal as religion is involved.
Anyway, I understood the difference between right and wrong when I was about 4 (and couldn’t read much), so the bible doesn’t really factor into my moral decision-making. My upbringing has a lot more to do with my scope of what’s right and what’s wrong. I think my parents raised me right and it shows.
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Church-less Christian who didn’t use the bible to answer this question.
toad on 27 Jul 2009 at 2:41 pm #
Everyone has a moral conscience. they really know right from wrong , just some listen to their conscience, some don’t.
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star on 27 Jul 2009 at 3:17 pm #
do you need your history textbook to teach you about the past or do you rely on word of mouth .. hand me down stories ?
clearly, the answer would be : history textbook.
therefore, the Holy Bible tells us what God thinks is right and what is wrong. Not what WE think is right or wrong.
as to whether i need to refer to the bible to ans yr Q … No, i am bible literate.
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prophetnotprofit on 27 Jul 2009 at 3:47 pm #
yes christians do have inner gudance of what right and wrong however it needs to be tested and checked with the bible as often we try to justify our actions when they are wrong
1Jn 4:1 My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Th 5:21 Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
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wefmeister on 27 Jul 2009 at 4:09 pm #
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will be delivered."
Proverbs 28:26
"The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it? "
Jeremiah 17:9
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
Romans 3:10-12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Hebrews 4:12-13
Of course, you already knew all these things instinctively.
I’ll bet you don’t need to read a book about how to fix cars either. It just comes naturally to you.
References :
* Xanthippe on 27 Jul 2009 at 4:19 pm #
No.
Yes.
No.
No.
‘Wrong’ is anything that causes harm, loss or distress to another. My moral conscience tells me this, not the Bible.
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the chosen one on 27 Jul 2009 at 4:48 pm #
The human race never would have evolved out of our wild state of evolution if it wasn’t for God domesticating us with His moral teachings. Without the teachings of God us humans would still be like the wild apes living in our jungles today.
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rvrzl on 27 Jul 2009 at 5:05 pm #
Most "morals" predate the Bible by a long shot. Most of the ten commandments that people consider the basis for morality, are common sense and basic human decency. For example there are cave drawings which represent monogamy dating back to the paleolithic era, as well as respect for animals which were killed, etc.
That’s obviously a very small example, however it does represent the basic human instinct for decency towards other living things, which is essentially what "morals" are.
As a point of reference, the paleolithic era was roughly 300,000 years ago (think cave men), and the bible is around 2,500 years old.
I do, however, feel that because of the infiltration the Bible has had on humanity since it’s creation, it probably has a large impact on peoples subconscious. Be that positive or negative. So in conclusion, Christians do not need to consult the Bible for morality, but some may think they do.
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Trying to care on 27 Jul 2009 at 5:24 pm #
There is some natural inbuilt sense of morality. If you are a believer in God and Christianity then the Bible is the guidebook. Being imperfect we are all sinners and therefore need guidance. If we assume that we can do it by ourselves then we are saying that there is no need for God or his guidance. If we did this then we would be no better than the first human couple that the Bible mentions who put us in this condition. The Bible says:
(Genesis 3:1-5) . . .Now the serpent proved to be the most cautious of all the wild beasts of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it began to say to the woman: “Is it really so that God said YOU must not eat from every tree of the garden?” 2 At this the woman said to the serpent: “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. 3 But as for [eating] of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘YOU must not eat from it, no, YOU must not touch it that YOU do not die.’” 4 At this the serpent said to the woman: “YOU positively will not die. 5 For God knows that in the very day of YOUR eating from it YOUR eyes are bound to be opened and YOU are bound to be like God, KNOWING good and bad.”
…………………………….
Note that Satan or the serpent convinced the woman to eat from the tree that God said not to. The woman stated the law that God had given them and in reply Satan said that what God said was not true. Further to that he added that it would work out well for them and that they could "be like God, KNOWING good and bad". What this means is that they could decide what was right and wrong for themselves, hence not needing God.
Going back to why we need the Bible, God’s direction to know the way. It shows our desire to not be looking for our own way but seeing God’s way as the best.
There is also other information in the Bible which talks of the benefits of following God. Not only for the future but also in our present lives in this day.
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on 27 Jul 2009 at 6:13 pm #
no they just need common sense.
and never use the bible.
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Gardener for God(dmd) on 27 Jul 2009 at 6:37 pm #
Even scripture tells that it is written with in one to know right from wrong – Paul talks on it.
I know, I know, your gonna say that there – I had to refer – but the answer is no – I didn’t however, it is plainly understood that it is not needed to be told to one what is right and wrong, it is already within.
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dairob on 27 Jul 2009 at 6:48 pm #
Yes, Christians need to use the Bible to understand the difference between right and wrong , between pleasing and NOT pleasing to our God because the Holy Bible tells us the laws under Christ who is our High Priest to Father God Almighty. We call ourselves as Christians because we are disciples of Christ.
For example: act of GIVING
The world believes that giving is pleasing to God always. However, if we check the Bible, there is a right act of giving and wrong act of giving to God.
WRONG acts of giving:
You give because many people are around you who will admire and praise you in return for being such generous and helpful (just like politicians and showbiz people do who would even published in the newspaper their acts of charity to let the whole world know).
You give because you were pressured and obliged only.
You give because you are expecting something in return.
RIGHT acts of giving:
Keep your acts of giving SECRETLY as possible.
Give cheerfully and never expect for something in return.
It will be best if you will not also reveal your giver-identity to the recipient and just tell the recipient that it’s a blessing from GOD so that ALL the PRAISES and HONOR will be given back to the living Father God Almighty.
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theophilus on 27 Jul 2009 at 7:25 pm #
The Bible provides absolutes, upon which right and wrong can be determined. Moral relativism has no such basis. For all practical purposes, anything goes…because of the lack of a basis for determining if it is right…or not.
When people reject God, their next step is to reject His Word, the Bible. Without either of these two, morality is reduced to what seems right in their minds at the time. And our unguided minds…or consciences…are flawed, as a result of sin. They yield faulty judgements…the killing of a human fetus is considered just fine; the killing of a baby seal, an outrage. There is no limit to the depravity of the human soul…even the holocaust will seem mild, compared to what the future holds for ‘moral man’, unaided by the Bible, and a trust in a moral God. My basis for such a charge is the Bible, rather than speculation…"blood flowing to the height of horses bridles", is one such warning…or prophecy, which ever way you look at it.
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sgt slaughter on 27 Jul 2009 at 7:34 pm #
God’s law, the Ten Commandments points out what sin is. yes we need to know the word of God.
References :
http://www.itiswritten.com http://www.peacefinders.org http://www.amazingfacts.org a wealth of knowledge. over 60 Bible studies, and much, much more in these sites.
Jezz on 27 Jul 2009 at 7:41 pm #
the bible is for knowledge, its full of wisdom, you can follow your heart but it has evil in it….o your thoughts are not the same as Gods…for example:
<< Isaiah 55:8 >>
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Romans 10
3 For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
oh, and you should consider it more as a guide… its full of knowledge and understanding ,and if you want to understand certain things you will have to end up searching it yourself.
1 John 2:27 (New International Version)
27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Only God can teach you of his wisdom, his heart is holy and ours is full of sin, you wont understand his word unless you let him teach you. oh, and I also am Bible literate, i just wanted to show you for your reference some passages..
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The Holy Bible