Right and Wrong: What Guides Many - HOW WE FEEL

 We are often guided by how we feel, our internal sense of right and wrong, which is commonly called our conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) Even from a young age, children can recognize the difference between fair and unfair behavior and even feel guilt. Over time, our conscience is shaped by the values we learn from our family, peers, teachers, community, religion, and culture. When we make decisions, our conscience tells us whether our choice matches our values or not.

Our sense of right and wrong can move us to show empathy, gratitude, fairness, and compassion toward others. It can also hold us back from doing things that could hurt those we care about or that might cause us embarrassment, shame, and guilt.

Is how we feel always a reliable guide? As a young man, Garrick pursued a life where, as he said, "I could establish my own standards." He found, however, that doing what he felt was right did not lead to good results. He came to embrace a lifestyle that he later described as "a very dark path of immorality, drug abuse, drunkenness, and a lot of violence."

Next time: HOW OTHER PEOPLE FEEL

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