This lesson responds to an objection I anticipate some may have against the model in the first lesson because they might falsely assume that model claims that as long as a person knows what is right they will do what is right. This lesson helps to clarify and underline the importance of our beliefs.

I. Just knowing what is right does not lead to doing what is right.

A. Examples

1. Eve knew what was right, but she sinned. Genesis 3:1-6.

2. Jonah knew what was right, but he disobeyed God. Jonah 1:1-3

3. Jeroboam knew what was right, but chose to disobey. 1 Kings 11:29-39; 12:26-33

4. Ahaz was told that his two enemies where just a lot of smoke and therefore he should stand strong in faith. Isaiah 7:2-9 Standing strong in faith meant to rely upon God for deliverance, not upon Assyria. Although Isaiah told Ahaz he should ask for a sign to show him that God's word was reliable, apparently Ahaz had already determined that he would send to Assyria for help and therefore rejected a sign. Isaiah 7:10-12 Despite the warning of what would happen if he would not stand firm in faith (namely, Isaiah 7:17-25), Ahaz disobeyed God by relying upon Assyria rather than upon God. 2 Kings 16:5-9.

5. Jesus did many miraculous signs which should have led people to believe in him. Although some responded to his miracles by believing in him, not everybody did. John 11:43-46; 12:37

B. If beliefs lead to values and then behavior, then why do people choose to do wrong when they know what is right?

1. Examining the previous examples

a. Although Eve knew what was right, she came to believe that the forbidden fruit was good for her. Genesis 3: 6 Eve did act upon what she believed to be true! The serpent's lies deceived her so that she believed that the fruit was good for her. 1 Timothy 2:14 Eve followed her beliefs to get what she wanted.

b. Jonah obviously believed that God wanted him to go to Nineveh and that God would destroy that great city if they would not repent. But Jonah also believed that God would relent from destroying them if they repented. Jonah 4:2 Jonah's confession in 4:2 indicates that he wanted God to destroy the Ninevites. This verse indicates that Jonah's behavior was motivated by his beliefs and desires. Although he knew the truth, he chose to do do wrong because he also valued the destruction of his enemies. Jonah followed his beliefs to try to get what he wanted.

c. Although Jeroboam knew what God had revealed to him (1 Kings 11:37-38), he also believed that he would lose the people if they returned to Jerusalem to worship. 1 Kings 12:26-27 Unfortunately, it was this belief that drove his action to build shrines and set up the golden calves. To put it another way, Jeroboam did not believe that God could give him the kingdom if the people returned to Jerusalem to worship. Jeroboam's actions were the result of his beliefs. He followed his beliefs to try to get what he wanted.

d. Although Ahaz knew that he was supposed to refrain from sending to Assyria for help, he believed in military power and not in God's word through a prophet. Military might was more real to him than God's word. It was precisely because he did not have a strong faith in God that he was unable to obey God by standing firm. Ahaz' actions were the direct result of his beliefs.

e. Although John 11:46 and 12:37 do not tell us why these failed to respond to Jesus, it is not hard to create a collection of realistic possibilities. In John 9:22 we learn that the Jews had decided to put out of the synagogue anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ. The desire to gain the approval of men rather than of God is one of the reasons why the Pharisees would not accept Jesus. John 12:42-43. Hence, their actions were driven by their beliefs. Others rejected Jesus because he was incompatible with their belief system. John 8:48-52 Once again, their behavior was driven by their beliefs.

2. Observations

a. In all of these cases, what a person did was the result of what was believed. In other words, the principle that beliefs lead to behavior is valid.

b. The problem is that although the person might have known what is true, that knowledge was undermined by other beliefs. Not all beliefs point toward the same goal. It is this conflict in the direction of beliefs which led to the wrong behavior. The person chose to hold more strongly to the wrong beliefs.

c. This suggests that what is needed is more than just a mere knowledge of God's Word. There is also the need to undermine the power of contrary beliefs and to elevate what God has revealed above conflicting beliefs.

d. What a person believes to be most fundamental or true is a personal decision. Each person chooses (for many different reasons, evidence, etc.) to hold to certain beliefs as being the most reliable.

e. Knowing who God is and how God has acted in history to fulfill His word can provide a basis for believing that His message is more significant and reliable than the conflicting beliefs which may be held.

C. Knowing scripture is extremely important, but just knowing scripture will not change lives. Even the devil can quote scripture. And the demons know that God is one. James 2:19 The person must chose to believe and exalt God's message within his life above all conflicting belief systems such as street knowledge and societal beliefs. Beliefs do drive behavior. When behavior does not bring glory to God, it is because the beliefs which are behind that inappropriate behavior are contrary to scripture.

II. Applications and Exercises

A. 1 Kings 13:1-26 Did the man of God know what was right? Why did he do what was wrong? Did God excuse this man because he had been deceived? What lessons does this suggest for our lives? How might God treat us if we innocently follow a false prophet? How important is it to know what God has truly revealed?

B. Can you identify the beliefs which led you to do something which you knew was wrong? If you stole something, what did you believe that stealing would provide? If you gossiped or lied, what did you believe would be achieved by this?

C. How can you allow God's word to control your life? How easy is it to choose to believe something God has revealed when most people believe something else is "more true" or "a better way." How can you respond to such a situation?

 

The next lesson in this series is: "Separating Needs From Wants"

Other Articles Which Might Be of Interest

Why Do People Behave As They Do?

What Wisdom Drives Our Lives?

Barry Newton, Copyright © 2000

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