Can I discern right from wrong?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The ability to discern right from wrong is a spiritual discipline that is rooted in knowing God and His word well. Scripture says that the “fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). That is, the moral clarity needed to know right from wrong comes through a right relationship with God and knowing the Bible. God’s Word is the ultimate standard for truth, and anything contrary to it is error (Psalm 19:7–11; John 17:17); knowing it well improves discernment.

However, it is not enough to simply read what God said, but it must be practiced (Hebrews 5:14). Discernment develops as we learn, apply, and obey Scripture in daily life. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role by guiding believers and helping them test every thought, teaching, and action against God’s Word (John 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22).

Discerning right from wrong requires humility because human wisdom is limited and easily swayed. By submitting to God’s authority, listening to His Word, and seeking counsel from godly believers (Proverbs 11:14), we can walk in moral clarity and honor Him in our decisions.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God gave His people clear commands so they could distinguish between righteousness and sin. In the Garden of Eden, He told Adam and Eve which tree they must not eat from, making obedience to His Word the foundation for knowing right from wrong (Genesis 2:16–17). Their disobedience shows that ignoring God’s command opens one up first to deception and then destruction (Genesis 3:1–6).
• Under the law, Israel was given statutes that set them apart from surrounding nations (Leviticus 18:1–5; Deuteronomy 30:15–20). God told them to choose life by loving Him, walking in His ways, and keeping His commands. As they did, they would be able to discern what pleased Him.
• God’s Word not only defines right and wrong but also changes the heart to desire what is right and discern when something is wrong. The author of Psalm 119 asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” (Psalm 119:9a). The answer? “By guarding it according to your word” (Psalm 119:9b). This is why he then said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Storing up God’s Word in our hearts is the key to discernment.
• Proverbs repeatedly ties discernment to the fear of the LORD and attentiveness to His instruction (Proverbs 2:1–11). It warns that those who reject God’s wisdom will fall into ruin (Proverbs 1:29-32), while those who seek it will walk securely (Proverbs 3:21–23). Right judgment (discernment) is not from human insight alone but from receiving and applying God’s wisdom.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament also presents God’s Word as the unchanging standard for distinguishing right from wrong. Jesus set the example when He resisted temptation by responding with Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11).
• Jesus warned that false teachers use deceptive words and appearances and, thus, require careful evaluation. He said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15). Just as a tree’s fruit shows whether the tree is good,someone’s life testifies to whether they follow Christ or not.
• Paul urged believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they could “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). As believers immerse themselves in God’s word, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, they can see and reject sinful patterns of the world.
• Using the illustration of a baby who can’t handle solid food, the author of Hebrews said that believers needed to grow up because “solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Discernment comes from a steady diet of God’s word. As believers mature, their ability to spot error also develops.
• John instructs Christians to “test the spirits” to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1–6). Believers are to measure the validity of all teaching by what Scripture says, which means they must deeply know what Scripture teaches. Without that, believers are vulnerable to being led astray.
• Finally, James connects discernment with prayer and humility. He said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Wisdom to discern ultimately depends on God’s gracious provision.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

To discern right from wrong, begin where Scripture tells you to—with God Himself. Let your relationship with Him guide your understanding; moral clarity starts with His Word and the work of His Spirit in your life. Examples in Scripture show that discernment grows as you submit to God’s authority, store His Word in your heart, and obey what He says.

This means building habits that keep you close to Him. Fill your mind with Scripture so that, like Jesus in the wilderness, you can answer temptation with truth. Test everything against what God has said. Ask Him for wisdom daily, trusting His promise to give it generously.

Over time, if you continuously fill your mind with Scripture, you’ll notice your instincts changing: You will recognize danger sooner, see truth more clearly, and choose what pleases God more consistently. Discernment is developed through your daily reliance on guidance from God’s Word and His Spirit.

UNDERSTAND

• Praying to God regularly helps believers to form a relationship with Him, which helps spiritual growth and discernment.
• Regularly reading and studying God’s word increases spiritual discernment.
• The indwelling Holy Spirit also helps believers discern right from wrong.

REFLECT

• How has the Bible developed your discernment skills?
• What habits help you recognize when a choice aligns—or conflicts—with God’s Word?
• In what areas of life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to discern right from wrong?

ENGAGE

• How can more spiritually mature Christians mentor those who are new in the faith?
• What are some examples of behavior the world sees as right but that we recognize as ungodly?
• How can Christians best offer moral clarity in a relativistic society?