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IntroductionWe live in a time not unlike the

time of the Judges: Judg. 21:25A time of declining morals,

rationalization of sin, political correctness gone to seed.

Satan is our adversary: 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3; Eph. 4:14; Gal. 4:10-11; Col. 2:18-19

It is not popular to stand up and say “wrong is wrong”! 2 Cor. 6:17

Wrong Is Wrong!Proverbs 14:12

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❶ Even if we don’t get caught

We can fool a lot of people, but can never fool God: Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13

One day God will bring all out into the open: Eccl. 12:14

We can hide our “secrets” from men but not from God: Rom. 2:16

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❷ Even if its “legal” Some commit sin because it

doesn’t violate man’s law: 1 Pet. 2:13-15; Acts 5:29

Just because something is not “illegal” doesn’t mean God approves.

We must remember: God has His own standards: Isa.

55:8-9 Man can’t direct his own steps: Jer.

10:23 Must let the Lord guide us: Prov. 3:5-

7 God always has our best interests in

mind: 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 10:10

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❸ Even if I know God will forgive me

Men are good at rationalizing sin.

It is certainly true God forgives if we confess our sins: 1 Jn. 1:9

But that doesn’t give us a license to rationalize sin: 1 Jn. 1:7

God only forgives when we truly repent: Acts 26:20

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❹ Even if my preacher says it’s OK

Many think anything their preacher approves of is OK.

Reminds me of the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day: Jer. 5:31

Our first allegiance is always to God: 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 11:1

Justifying behavior because its OK with the preacher betrays a gross lack of study of God’s Word on our part: Acts 17:11Wrong Is Wrong!

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❺ Even if the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn it

Just because God’s word doesn’t condemn something doesn’t mean it’s good to do: 1 Thess. 5:22

Such situations often arise in financial dealings, dealings with the opposite sex, dealings involving favoritism.

Also may involve “sins of omission”: Jas. 4:17

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❻ Even if nobody gets hurt

Some justify sin as long as “nobody gets hurt.”

What a bogus excuse! Matt. 5:14-16

John Donne: “No Man Is An Island”

Everything we do affects someone!Wrong Is Wrong!

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❼ Even if we think it’s for a good cause

Some justify sin as long as “its for a good cause.”

An “honorable” purpose does not justify a dishonorable deed!

Paul taught this: Rom. 3:8 Sin is transgression of God’s law:

1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17; 2 Jn. 9 All we do must be authorized by

God: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:17Wrong Is Wrong!

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❽ Even if it doesn’t bother my conscience

Our conscience acts as a “governor” on our behavior.

But, our conscience must be properly trained: Acts 8:3; 26:9-11; 23:1

We must train our conscience with God’s word: 1 Tim. 2:9-10

Even if our conscience is properly trained, we shouldn’t “override” it: 1 Tim. 4:2

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❾ Even if we have a good excuse

We are good at making excuses for our sins.

In reality there is no excuse for sin; either good excuses or bad excuses! Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23

Adam thought he had a good excuse: Gen. 3:12

Will God accept our excuses? Jas. 1:12-15; 1 Cor. 10:13

Wrong Is Wrong!

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❿ Even if it is commonly considered acceptable

Many justify sin because “everybody is doing it!”

Not a good reason: Ex. 23:2 Because “everybody is doing it”

is a poor excuse! Prov. 4:14-15; 1:10, 15-16

We need to reject the world instead of being friendly with it: 2 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:17-20; 1 Thess. 5:21-22

Wrong Is Wrong!

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Conclusion

Wrong is always wrong!

As God’s people let us aspire to live pure lives: 1 Jn. 3:2-3; 2 Cor. 7:1