SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT RIGHT AND WRONG ARE OLD-FASHIONED IDEAS.
I Bible Reading of the Day: Read Psalm 19:8-11.
Verse of the Day: “[Do] what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 12:28, NIV).
Melissa and her parents were on their way to the grocery store.
“Can we listen to that new radio station, Dad?” Melissa asked. When she saw her father shrug, she quickly turned the station.
“Ooo! That’s my song, the new one from Toe Jam!” she exclaimed. She sang along: “Ain’t no wrong, Ain’t no right, Ain’t no reason not to love you tonight.”
“Melissa!” Dad said, surprised. “Do you know what you’re singing?”
“I never pay much attention to the words. I only like this song because of the music.” Melissa looked from one to the other of her parents. “What’s wrong?”
“Maybe you should pay attention to the words,” Mom said.
Melissa played the lyrics back in her mind. Ain’t no wrong, Ain’t no right, Ain’t no reason not to love you tonight.
“OK, I see what you mean. They’re saying there’s nothing that’s wrong or right. But I don’t think that.”
“But you still listen to the song,” Mom said.
“Everybody does! My whole school talks about this group,” said Melissa.
“A lot of people do think that way these days,” Dad said. “They think right and wrong are old-fashioned ideas and that people have to decide right or wrong for themselves.”
“But we don’t think that, do we?” Melissa asked.
“It doesn’t matter what we think,” Mom answered. “It doesn’t matter what I say, or what you say, or what Toe Jam says. All that matters is what God says.”
“And God says some things are right and some things are wrong,” Melissa said. “Right! You know what else?” Dad said, laughing. “Even people who say there is no such thing as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ expect you to treat them fairly. They may say, ‘You have to decide what’s right for you, and I have to decide what’s right for me,’ but if you try to cheat them in any way, they’ll tell you your behavior isn’t ‘right!'” “Because in their hearts they know the truth,” said Mom. Melissa nodded as if she understood. “Can I ask a question?” she asked. “Of course, sweetheart,” Mom said, smiling. “Can we change the radio station?” Dad answered, “I think we can arrange that.”
TO DISCUSS: Should a person listen to lyrics that go against his or her beliefs? Why or why not? How can a person know what’s right or wrong?
TO PRAY: “Lord, you are the one who decides what is right or wrong. Help us to follow you.”
