Uncomplicated: Right and Wrong
The Right Question About Right and Wrong
Let’s be real—most of us have spent way too much time trying to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong. As kids, the rules were simple: Don’t run into the street. Don’t eat Play-Doh. Don’t cut your own bangs. But as we get older, things get… complicated.
We want to live right, do right, make the right choices. But with so many voices, rules, and opinions, the whole right and wrong thing can feel overwhelming. So, we do what any rational person would do—we look for a list. A simple, clear-cut guide that says, Do this, don’t do that, and you’re good.
But what if that’s the wrong question altogether?
When We Get It Wrong
When it comes to right and wrong, we tend to swing to one of two extremes:
The Rule Keeper – You know this person (or maybe are this person). They cross every t, dot every i, and follow every rule because that’s what good people do. Faith becomes a checklist, and missing one item feels like total failure.
The Rule Breaker – This person takes freedom in Christ as a license to do whatever they want. Rules? Those are suggestions, right? But in the name of freedom, they sometimes forget that choices have consequences.
Both extremes miss the heart of the matter. Because the question we should be asking isn’t Is this right or wrong? but Is this loving?—to God, to others, and even to ourselves.
Jesus Simplified It for Us
One day, Jesus was asked, What’s the most important commandment? And instead of handing over a rulebook, He made it simple:
Matthew 22:37-39
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
That’s it. Love God. Love people. The whole law fits within those two things. Jesus wasn’t dismissing wisdom or moral guidance, but He was showing us the heart behind it.
A Better Question to Ask
Instead of obsessing over whether something is technically right or wrong, let’s start running our decisions through this filter:
Does this draw me closer to God or push me further from Him?
Does this show love to the people around me?
Does this help me love and care for myself in a way that honors God?
If the answer is no, then maybe the issue isn’t about rules but about relationships. And that’s what Jesus cares about most.
Real-Life Application (Because This Only Works If We Actually Use It)
This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a practical way to navigate life. So, what does it look like?
Your habits: If something is pulling you away from God or making it harder to love others well, maybe it’s time to reassess.
Your relationships: Are there boundaries you need to set (or remove) to keep your relationships healthy?
Your choices: Before making a decision—big or small—ask, Is this helping me love God and love people?
We tend to overcomplicate things, but Jesus made it simple. The next time you’re wrestling with a decision, stop asking, Is this right or wrong? and start asking, Is this loving? Because love—real, selfless, God-centered love—will always lead you in the right direction.
And if all else fails, maybe just don’t cut your own bangs.
What’s a decision you’ve wrestled with lately? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
To jump into this weeks conversation- check out this weeks podcast!
