Is It Ever Right To Do Wrong To Do Right?

Exodus 1:15-21: "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.' The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?' The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.' So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."


Is it ever right to do wrong to do right? It certainly seems that way in the passage mentioned above. The Egyptian king had ordered that the Hebrew midwives kill all newborn boys, in order that the Hebraic slave population might be kept in check. Although these midwives were in dangerous peril for disobeying the edict of the king, they determined not to execute his command. These women feared the Lord and likely knew of His covenant commitment to their patriarch, Abraham, promising the blessing of many descendants. When the king found out that these midwives did not obey his command, he summoned them and asked why they had not followed orders. In reply, these midwives shared that the Hebrew women were "vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." This may very well be a truth statement, as the Lord was blessing the Israelites with many children, and consequently the midwives were unable to get around to every birth taking place. Still, one may surmise that these midwives were not being completely truthful with the king. Could it be that these women were trying to give reasonable excuse in order that they might not abide by the decree of the Egyptian king? If anything, we find that the Lord was pleased with how they handled the situation and subsequently blessed them with families of their own.


This example brings to mind the example of Nazi Germany during the World War II era. I specifically am reminded of Corrie Ten Boom, who with her family in the Netherlands provided a Hiding Place for Jews attempting to avoid capture by the Gestapo. When these Nazi police would visit the home to investigate the harboring of Jews, Corrie and her family would deny that any Jews were being kept there. Sadly, Corrie and her family in 1944 would be taken to concentration camps in the Netherlands and Germany. Corrie's father would die just 10 days after arriving at his camp, and Corrie's sister would perish just a few weeks prior to Corrie's release in December, 1944. Interestingly (or should we say Providentially), Corrie was released due to a clerical error at the camp. One week after her release, all of the women in her barracks were executed.

In Corrie's example mentioned above, we find that she and her family intentionally refused the truth to the authorities, because such information would have led to the death of a number of Jewish people being harbored there. We can see that the telling of a lie in this instance is morally preferable to telling the truth, due to the devastating consequences. As we reflect upon the Biblical story or the story of Corrie Ten Boom mentioned above, we must not quickly impute culpability to those who are forced to make such decisions under duress. There is a hierarchy of values that must be considered; and in both instances, the value of life supersedes the importance of telling the truth. The sin is not to be ascribed to those who are forced to tell a lie, but to those who would force others into such perilous decisions.

Therefore, there are those rare instances in which it may be right to do wrong to do right. The context of the situation, filtered through the commands of the Lord as observed in the Holy Scriptures will be the key. Caution, however, is in order here. These examples mentioned above are anomalous and cannot be used to exonerate inappropriate behavior in a majority of cases.

Receiving a Covering from God

Genesis 3:21: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them."


This early account found in Genesis, recalls the Lord's decree not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve's subsequent rebellion against the Lord's edict. Adam and Eve desired to be like God, and they craved the forbidden fruit to satisfy their own wanton lusts, even though it was directly in defiance to their calling as faithful servants of the One True Lord (Genesis 3:5-6).


Even with God's responsive curse upon Adam and Eve for their rebellion, the Lord would provide garments of skin for them to hide the shame of their now recognized nakedness. To be sure, Adam and Eve knew that they were exposed before the Lord, and they had sewed fig leaves together to make garments; still, the Lord knew that man's efforts at a covering for sin would never suffice. Therefore, the Lord would take the skin of a sacrificed animal to clothe them and cover their shame. We can see even from this early historical account that God was using the imagery of "sacrifice" and "shed blood" to teach the fallen that He ultimately would provide a Sacrifice to cover their sins, if they would respond with faith, repentance, and obedience.


We specifically can see beautiful imagery of Jesus Christ in this story. He is our Passover Lamb that has been sacrificed for our sins (I Corinthians 5:7); and with His death, we have the opportunity of being clothed with Him in Righteousness (Romans 13:14). If we respond with faith and surrender to His offering of forgiveness through His sacrifice, we can be freed from the shame that comes from our wickedness. Our sins are pardoned, and we experience the blessedness of imputed righteousness. Our sins that once were red as scarlet, now have become white as snow (Isa. 1:18).


Maybe this is why there is so much emphasis upon the righteous receiving white robes to wear in eternity (see Revelation 7:9, 14). They are wearing robes that have been purified by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ! God desires to use the imagery of a "covering" to remind us that he has given to His bride (i.e. the Church) a garment that not only protects and identifies her as His betrothed, but it also proclaims to us that we never have to see the shame of our sin. God's redemption offers the gift of His righteous covering that forever will remind us that He has purified us from all of our sin. Take time today to thank the Lord for His "covering."

Watch Out for the "False Christs"

Mark 13:21-23: At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."

If there is one thing that the Evil One is noted for, it is his deception. Scriptures refer to Satan as the "murder, not holding to the truth . . . [speaking] lies, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44). Jesus in one of His last conversations with His disciples just before His crucifixion, warned His disciples of deceivers who would attempt to sway allegiance to themselves. Whereas, these "false christs" who would come, appear to be genuine; in reality, they are instruments used by Satan to deceive followers of Christ.

We must remember that Satan's strategy is not as provocative as one might expect. He is more clandestine in his measures, in order that he might soften the opinions of people toward him over time. We can see such ideologies being purported over a number of recent decades . . . like the theory of evolution, the global spiritual union of all peoples, the acceptance of alternative lifestyles, the propagation of moral and religious relativism, etc. With these prevailing philosophies in our culture, we are seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy that "many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other . . . . because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." There seems to have developed even among those who would profess "Christianity" as their religion a cold indifference to the commands of the Lord, clearly communicated in the Holy Scriptures. There also has developed an self-centered hedonism, in which satisfaction of self has become preeminent, even over surrender to Christ as Lord. Jesus anticipated this, and this is why He added the warning, "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Jesus again in Revelation 3:5 confirms this warning by saying, "He who overcomes . . . I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life." We cannot merely profess faith and believe that our words will find the Lord's salvation; rather, our lives must demonstrate that we truly have been transformed. Fruit is the evidence of true redemption (Matthew 7:16-20)

Let us not fall for the deceptive enticements that the Evil One would throw our way; rather, let us stand firm in the true faith, even though it might not be the popular thing to do. Let us not fall prey to those who would espouse diabolical ideologies that we know are contrary to the Word of God. Let us press on in our allegiance to the One True God and stand firm, knowing that the Lord will save those to endure to the end. We will never have to question when Jesus Christ makes His triumphal return, for He will split the heavens and appear with His heavenly hosts in brilliant light much like lightning (Matthew 24:27). As our Lord repeatedly commands of us until that time, we much keep ourselves focused upon His return and be ready. We must live our lives as if it is our last, and we must renew our minds as to our ultimate purpose: to submit ourselves to the One True Lord as our Master and Savior and serve Him faithfully.

Don't Mess Around With People Who Are Not Faithful

Proverbs 25:19: "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble."

In my ministry position, I council with a lot of people who are grieving because they have been hurt by people who are unfaithful to their commitments. These undependable people make great promises up front; however, they never seem to follow through. It might be an unfaithful husband/wife, an uncommitted business partner, or even an undependable church member . . . these people reveal by their duplicity that they are people of little character. I always have said that true character is revealed over time, especially in times of adversity. These unfaithful ones are only willing to remain committed if they perceive some benefit for themselves. When better opportunities lie elsewhere, they will bail in a heartbeat!

The Word of God warns us about being too involved with people like this. Specifically, God's Word tells us that if we rely too much on unfaithful people, we will find ourselves in a lot of pain and without much progress in times of trouble. The Scriptures use the imagery of a bad tooth and a lame foot to describe such relationships. We know that a bad tooth is quite painful. With each pulsating throb, we are reminded of the tooth's dreadful presence; and we never seem to gain relief until it is extracted. So too we know that such association with an uncommitted person will continue to hurt and frustrate us until we determine to set boundaries with that person (in effect extracting their ability to further hurt us by their lack of dependability).

One thing that we know about a lame foot is that when we need it, it doesn't provide us with the mobility that we need to move about. Whereas we want to be able to walk and do what needs to be done, we find ourselves frustrated that we cannot get accomplished what needs to be accomplished. So too it is with relying on unfaithful people. If we depend too much upon such duplicitous people, then we permit their hallow promises to inhibit us from doing what we know we should be doing to glorify the Lord. Again, the remedy for those who have been hurt by such people is to set clear boundaries to prevent such disappointments from ever happening again. Of course, the one thing that manipulative, controlling, unreliable people do when others set boundaries with them is to press to break down the walls. They don't like not being able to wield their influence upon others; and in their frustration, they will pull out all the stops (and make a lot of promises) to re-establish their dysfunctional relationships of control. Be warned! Character is not found in what a person tells you, but how that person lives his life [which can only be discerned over time]. Make it a point to observe this person in times of tribulation and temptation; this is when you particularly can see the person who resides within.

Make no mistake about it. The unfaithful are self-centered, ego-centric, self-idolizing persons who will promise things in order to use people to benefit themselves. They are people with whom we should have very little contact.

True Love Never Fails

I Corinthians 13:7-8: "Love always perseveres. True Love never fails."

There are few instances in our lives, when someone shares a word of blessing with us that is so incredibly impacting and inspiring to us, that we know that we will carry those words with us for the remainder of our lives.

One such event happened with me just last evening. The phone conversation with my father started as any normal conversation that I would have with him, when our discussion gravitated to the memory of my mother, who passed away 10 years before. I have fond memories of the beautiful marriage that my mother and father had. I remember as a young boy watching my mother and father flirt with each other with hugs and kisses in the kitchen. Whereas I thought at the time that such displays of affection were "yucky," I remember that they were genuine. My mother and father truly loved each other, and they selflessly ministered to each other . . . putting the needs of each other before themselves. There never was a doubt that my parents were committed to each other, for their relationship (though not perfect) was filled with evidences of love and faithfulness. They always went above and beyond the expected to bless each other and to do whatever they could to be a source of enrichment for their mate.

When my mother, who was the bastion of health and fitness, was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 54, it truly was a devastating time for the entire family. Still, my dad loved his bride, and he cared for her at home. I remember my dad carrying her to the restroom, when she was too weak to walk, and I remember him changing her diaper when she became bedridden. As she lay continually in bed, my dad would not permit his lovely bride to develop bed sores, so he made it a regular regimen to apply lotion to her body. He too would lie in bed and hold his wife, even when she was lapsing into a comatose state.

Just before my mother's passing, I remember visiting one weekend and being awakened in the middle of the night by my dad, who told me that my mother had opened her eyes. Ten years later as I reflect upon my dad's calling me, I suspect that he was sitting next to her, just looking at his bride and tenderly loving her, even though she was unresponsive to his presence.

Just one day after our middle-of-the-night encounter with my mother, my mother died. For three months my father displayed such profound love to his wife of 35 years. But the thing that so blessed me last evening in my phone conversation was finding out "the rest of the story." When the funeral home staff arrived at the home, they invited my father to step outside the room in order that they might prepare the body for transport. This my father would not have. He loved his bride, and he wanted to carry his love in his arms to the vehicle. The funeral home staff were shocked. They had never seen such a display of love before. As he carried his wife out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and across the threshold for the last time, my father was loving and honoring his wife. I can just see him showering his bride with kisses as he held her close to him one last time. And as he lay his bride in the vehicle, he kissed her good-bye, sharing with her that he looked forward to the day of their reunion before our blessed Lord. This folks is love at its finest!

Even as I share this story, I can't hold back the tears. There is not much more that can be shared, other than to say "True Love Never Fails!"

Lack of Fruit Brings God's Curse

Mark 11:13-14, 20-21: "And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it . . . . As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, "Master, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered.' And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God . . . . "


This passage gives account of Jesus returning to Jerusalem from Bethany on the east side of the Mount of Olives in anticipation of His death and resurrection. As Jesus and His disciples walked westward across the mountain on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus approached a fig tree to see if any fruit might be found on it. The tree from a distance seemed as if it would have something on it; after all it gave an impressive, outward display with lots of leaves. But as Jesus drew closer to the fig tree, he noticed that it had no fruit on it. Again, the tree gave a good external presentation, but it failed in fulfilling its purpose and potential.

In response, Jesus would curse the tree, in effect bringing judgment upon that which did not bring glory to the Lord. That next morning, when the disciples passed by again the spot where the tree was, they saw that the tree had withered to its roots. For the disciples to discern that the roots were impacted, they likely would have gone over to inspect the plant. Peter then would confirm to Jesus that the tree was in fact dead, to which Jesus responded that they must have faith.

What is noteworthy is that Jesus performed this sign during a period when the people in Jerusalem had received Jesus into the city with shouts of "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9). They had placed their garments and leafy branches before Jesus has he rode on a colt into the city. Jesus however knew that their shouts of praise were filled with expectation that He would fulfill their purpose as a political revolutionary who would rid them of the Roman occupation. They too liked His miraculous healings and provisions of food. Therefore, these people were not yielded to Him as Lord; rather, they were opportunists who saw potential in Him to meet their own needs.

Within a week, many of these people would turn on Jesus with shouts of "Crucify Him!" because He no longer fulfilled their expectations. For Jesus to reply to Peter and the disciples that they must have faith would tell them, that they must not want Him for what they might get from Him; rather, they would have to trust that He is the One True Lord of hosts, who is worthy of our surrender, our allegiance, and our faithful obedience. This necessitates capitulation of self-centered agendas for the purposes of the Lord. Only then will a person produce much fruit for the glory of God, through the power of Christ (John 15:5). Otherwise, we will be spiritually barren and subject to eternal condemnation.

Let us not merely give a good display of "spirituality." Rather, let us be genuine in our faithful allegiance to Christ as Lord. Let us produce the fruit of righteousness, as we take upon ourselves the yoke of submission to the Lord, permitting His power to radiate in and through us, leading to glorious spiritual produce. It is then that the Lord will be pleased and will desire to bless us for our faithfulness to Him.

Stop Comparing Yourself

2 Corinthians 10:12, 17: "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits . . . . Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Paul's letters to the Church at Corinth were follow-up responses to a church that permitted its pagan culture to infiltrate its walls. This church thought itself to be impressively refined by its appreciation of the finest philosophies of the day. Sadly, this church permitted very debased immorality to permeate it, thereby presenting itself as an entity not noticeably distinct from the immoral world around it. This church also had a bad habit of comparing itself with others. Rather than keeping their eyes on the Lord, these church members would formulate opinions of others; and as might be expected, those whom they evaluated never seemed to measure up to their status and their accomplishments.

So too, the church at Corinth believed Paul not to be a respectable philosopher comparable to the wise men of the day. Paul would fall prey to their comparative habits, and he lost credibility for not measuring up to the impressive displays of other philosophers around them.

In response, Paul warned the church that such patterns of behavior were not wise. He too reminded them that their boasting ultimately should be in the Lord, not in their perceived accomplishments relative to what others were doing.

This is such a good word for us. How often do we fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others? How often do we find ourselves smugly prideful because we are able to do things better than others? How often do we shun those who don't measure up to our expectations that are vainly formulated? When we do such things, we reveal our sinister nature of self-centeredness. The Scriptures tell us that such behavior is not wise, for our eyes are upon ourselves rather than upon God.

Paul demonstrates Godliness even in the way that he dealt with this church. Paul loved these people, and he did not shun them because they were not impressed with him. Paul approached them in a spirit of meekness and gentleness (2 Corinthians 10:1). Let us find ourselves with the same disposition of love, for this is the way in which God truly is glorified in and through us.