DOING THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN OUR OWN EYES

Judges 17:6; 21:25

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Our lesson at this time is suggested by a statement at the     
      close of he book of Judges, which suggests one of the root     
      causes of the spiritual destitution which was typical of that  
      day.
      1. The closing statement of the book is, "In those days there
         was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in
         his own eyes."
         a. Chapter 17 mentions the idolatry of Micah, and how he
            set up his own worship. Judges 17:5-6, 10-13
         b. In chapter 18, the tribe of Dan steals the idols of Micah
            and persuades the Levite to be their priest. Judges
            18:19-20
         c. In chapter 19, we see the terrible crime of some
            Benjaminites. Judges 19:22-26
         d. The tribe of Benjamin, instead of giving up these evil
            men for prosecution, tried to protect them. There was
            war and nearly all the tribe of Benjamin was destroyed.
         e. Thus, the closing statement to the book of Judges.
      2. We must remember that they had a king--God. 1 Sam. 8:7
         a. The divine arrangement then is very much the
            arrangement under Christ now.
   B. In these days there is a similar disregard for authority and   
      people in general are set on doing that which is right in their
      own eyes.

I. THERE IS DISREGARD FOR DOING THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF  
   GOD.
   A. Our primary concern should be to please God, not self or       
      others.
      1. Jesus is our model.  John 4:34; 8:28-29; 12:49
      2. Peter and John provide an excellent example. Acts 4:19-20
   B. We need to remember that God's ways are not our ways. Isa.
      55:8-9; Luke 16:15
      1. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 1 Cor.
         3:19-21
   C. Hence, we cannot do that which is right in our own eyes and    
      that which is right in the sight of God at the same time.
      1. Cain couldn't do it. Gen. 4:3-4; Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17
      2. Charts "What makes acceptable worship?" and "By Faith."

II. GOD FOREWARNS THAT FOLLOWING ONE'S OWN SIGHT WILL NOT WORK.
   A. There is a way which seems right. Prov. 16:25
      1. Walking in the sight of our own eyes is the sin of
         presumption. Psalm 19:13
   B. God specifically charged those who lived under the law of      
      Moses:
      1. Not to do that which was right in their own eyes. Deut.     
         6:18; Prov. 3:5-7
      2. Not to do more or less than what He authorized. Deut. 12:32
      3. There were many under the old dispensation who thought
         they could violate these principles and get by with it. 
   C. These same principles apply under the law of Christ. 1 Cor.    
      4:6; 2 John 9; Rev. 22:18-19
      1. Rev. 2:6,15 - The Lord's attitude should be our attitude.
         Psalm 119:104; Rom. 12:9; 1 Thess. 5:21
      2. Not a hypocritical reverence. Isa. 66:2; Matt. 15:6-9
      3. We must quit insisting on our own ways, and begin insisting
         on doing that which is right in the sight of God.
         a. The platform for unity. Eph. 4:1-6 - Chart: "We must
            accept God's standard of authority."
         b. Anything contrary to the apostles doctrine is wrong.
            Rom. 16:17-18
         c. Factions, divisions, parties are condemned. 1 Cor. 3:1-3;
            2 Cor. 12:20-21

III. WHEN MEN FOLLOW THEIR OWN EYES, THEY ARE CERTAIN TO GO IN WAYS  
   THAT ARE WRONG.
   A. Leads to many different ways, and these ways are always
      downward. Chart: "The Way Downward."
      1. There are many denominations, churches of men, today. 
         a. They originate in the minds of men. They are set up by
            the wisdom of men. They are governed by the doctrines
            of men. They are walking in the sight of their own eyes.
         b. Jesus is the head over all things in the church. Eph.
            1:20-21
         c. Thus, today there is a king in Israel, the Lord Jesus
            Christ.
      2. Evolution is a way downward.
         a. The evolutionist is well described in Rom. 1:22-23.
         b. Leads to moral depravity. Rom. 1:24-28
      3. Division in the body of Christ is a way downward.
         a. Weakens the cause of Christ.
         b. Example: The prayer of Jesus - John 17:20-21 - "that
            the world may believe" - division produces unbelievers.
         c. Just as divorce is bad for any family; division is bad   
            for any congregation.

IV. DOING THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE KING IS THE WAY    
   UPWARD. Chart: "Ways that are right and good."
   A. To please God should be our primary objective.
      1. God will bless us when we do those things pleasing in His
         sight. 1 John 3:22
   B. Seeking to please God unifies believers which brings manifold
      blessings.
      1. Peace and harmony. Psalm 133:1
         a. This inturn pleases God. 1 Tim. 2:3
      2. More conversions. John 17:21; John 13:35
      3. To have peace in the local congregation is a great blessing.
         a. Contentions, biting and devouring hurts. Gal. 5:15
   C. Brings peace and harmony in the home. 1 Pet. 3:1-7
      1. In verse 4, what is that which is pleasing in the sight of  
         God?
      2. The husband, likewise doing what is pleasing in the sight of
         God makes both joint heirs of the grace of life. Verse 7

Concl.
   A. There was much false worship and immorality in those dark days
      in Israel when everyone did that which was right in his own    
      eyes.
      1. There was no authority in those days.
   B. There is a King in the Spiritual Israel today -- Christ Jesus  
      the Lord.
      1. Let us do that which is right in His eyes.
      2. Rev. 22:12-14