Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

As a child when I would try to mitigate my wrong by comparing it against the bigger wrong of someone else, my Mom would say “Janice, two wrongs don’t make a right.”  For the past couple of days I have found myself saying, “My Mom always said two wrongs don’t make a right.”

It is easy and convenient to compare ourselves and our actions against someone else, especially when their actions appear to be worse than our own.  We do this to minimize our wrong, and to justify our actions.

The beauty of the Word of God is that it provides answers to all of life’s questions – and has done so throughout the generations.

*   Moses can be our first example (Exodus 2:11-12):   When Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave; he struck out in anger and killed the Egyptian.  Murder was not the answer to the Egyptian’s acts of cruelty.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

*    James and John will be our second example (Luke 9:51-56):   The Samaritans turned from Jesus because He had His face set toward Jerusalem.  James and John suggested to Jesus that they should pray for fire to fall from Heaven upon the Samaritans.  Jesus rebuked them.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

*    Peter will be our third example (Luke 22:50-51): When Jesus was arrested; Peter was upset and cut off the ear of a slave of the high priest.  Jesus rebuked Peter for his action.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Christians are called not to conform to this world, but to be transformed, and provide what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). 

In the future, we should resist comparing and minimizing our actions, and simply use the Word of God as our measuring stick.  The Word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).

While it can be uncomfortable to compare our actions against the Word, it will promote our growth and maturity. 


Blessings To You – Janice Caldwell

​*Examples taken from Angelfire.com – “Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right.”

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