Knowing Right from Wrong

How can you as a parent teach your child to be discerning?  How can you help them know the difference between right and wrong?

Obviously, the first place to start is Scripture.  Much of what they need to know is already laid out for them in detail through God's Word.  For example, if your child tells a lie, you as their parent need to open Ephesians 4:25 and teach them, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

Or if your teenager is struggling with sexual sin, they need to know what God's view is in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality."

Yet, the Bible does not mention every issue specifically.  How do we determine God's will in those areas where the Bible seems to be grey?  Jerry Bridges, in his book The Pursuit of Holiness, says that we can ask four questions based on three verses in 1 Corinthians.

"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial." (1 Cor. 6:12)

• Question #1: Is it helpful - physically, spiritually, and mentally?
  

"Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor. 6:12)

• Question #2: Does it bring me under its power?

"Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." (1 Cor. 8:13)

• Question #3: Does it hurt others?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)

• Question #4: Does it glorify God?

You can teach your child to know the difference between right and wrong by first pointing them to Christ and the Scriptures.  However, if there are grey areas that are difficult to determine, teach them to ask these four questions according to each situation.