How do you know when you are doing 'the right thing'?

Question

Seems to me life isn't black and white. Can you get the answer from a rule-book?

Not sure if doing the right thing always gets a thank you. Like if you had to report a relative to the police or something like that?

Steven M:
I already have my answer; although, I don't follow it as I should.

The reason I asked the question was to encourage people to look for their own answer. So maybe all their answers are correct.

The void that you talk about will always lead us to addictions and looking outside ourselves for a sense of who we are. But it is important to know that we don't stand alone in the world either. The knowledge 'out there' can reflect back and resonate with the truth within. We come to know ourselves through relationship.

Answer 1

only you the person can answer that you have got to feel that its the right thing

Answer 2

There are no cut and dry answers to doing the right thing. Sorry, it just isn't that simple... but, as always, I have an opinion that may help you.

Doing that which is good and right and positive tends to make an open minded person fill with a sense of well being. Determining what that is requires a sense of what is good and right and positive about ourselves. Using that as a comparison, we tend to do things that make us feel good... not physically, but more spiritually. People who have been brought up in a life where that sense of goodness has been lacking will not necessarily have the same opinion, but inside, we all know what it feels like to do the right thing.

There are issues that fall in the grey area, but through meditation and a good sense of ethics, the best decision can usually be made.

Answer 3

Call me unoriginal, but generally I check the reactions of those around me, and that helps me form an overall perspective of the success or failure of my actions. Of course a lot of other things factor into it, but the main thing is that I have to live in a society with other humans and must adjust accordingly.

Yeah, black and white. Life is a constant negotiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrida

note to Jesus M, I don't know what kind of children you've witnessed, but the ones I know understand right and wrong very well, and constantly experiment with it

Answer 4

Maybe so but, for the most, part I guess "doing the right thing" depends on its definition and one's common sense application.

If you are talking about legalities, then you have to use your head. You wouldn't want to be party to a criminal or illegal act.

And if you are talking about moralities, then you have to use your heart. You are accountable for your own actions since your heart already knows what is right and what is wrong to begin with.

The rule books for either one are there for one's guidelines and reference.

Peace be with you.

Answer 5

There is a moral standard place in human conciseness, which leads to God's design for life, which leads to the bible. Rules are needed so we can be free to enjoy this life, with causing harm to ourselves or others

Answer 6

Unfortunately there is no "rule-book" for right and wrong. It’s not cut and dry. Some people will want to pressure you into thinking there is a right and a wrong and if you don't follow your evil, sinful, etc. Some would say theft is a sin. It’s in the bible, its clearly labeled in the 10 commandments. However, sometimes it’s not always as clear as it seems.

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There once was a poor woman who only has a couple of pennies to her name. She went to the local store to buy some bread for her starving children. Knowing she didn't have enough she snatched the bread and threw down the pennies and ran. Soon after, the police caught her and she was put on trial. In this small town, the word of theft spreads quickly. The whole town gathered to accuse the woman of theft even though many were not witnesses.

The judge asked the store clerk how much the bread was.
He responded "$1.60 your honor."

"How much did she pay?" asked the judge.

"Two pennies sir." Said the clerk.

"Is this true?" He asked the woman.

She responded in a thick accent, "Yessum your honor, but 'dat was all I had and my childrens is starvin’ and ain’t had no food for days."

The judge asks, "What is your plea to the charge of theft?"

"I was wrong your honor, I am guilty sir. I is sorry" She said as she bowed her head staring at her feet.

"You are hereby charged to pay back the total cost of the bread minus the amount previously paid which comes to a total of $1.58." the judge said firmly.

"However, I see a great injustice in the fact that so many people had enough gas in their tanks and such nice cloths to wear to appear in court to witness this proceeding all the while this woman can't even afford a slice of bread much less a loaf for her starving children. As a result I myself will pay for the bread, and further I charge each one in this court room $5. This money collected will go to this woman. I find it pathetic you people would go to such great extent to charge a poor woman under her circumstances. Unfortunately none of you knew this woman until to day and I pray your hearts change and you each start seeking deeper into one another to understand deep within instead of judging from mere appearances."

With one deep breath he gets up and walks out. The woman was in tears and her children placed their arms around her. There were over one hundred people in court that day and the total collected from the charges as well as some further donations came to 1350.02.
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You see, sometimes what’s right and what is wrong doesn't always mean it fits good morals. Jesus tought this very lesson when he stood before many and asked if it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath. The priest enforced the Sabbath, punishing anyone who even lifted their belongings. Jesus asked a man with a crippled hand to reach out, and instantly his hand was healed.

Furthermore, doing "the right thing" is very complicated and really depends on your motive and context. If your trying to be seen as a good person among many then your hearts desire is not to do what is right, but rather to be seen doing right in so that you gain acceptance among those who pressure you to such things. The human condition is a tricky one. In each and every one of us is a void within that desires to be filled. Some of us fill it with friends, acceptance, love, etc. And some of us fill it with entertainment, new cars, our careers, etc. At times it seems none of this really fill that void completely and we continue on and on. In these things we seek redemption and validation. If/When you were single, did you ever sit and think, "I wish I had someone." Why do we so desire to have another person in our lives? Some say we have emotional, sexual, and companionship needs. But what if I tell you all these needs are not separate but apart of one big void within that causes us to desire to be made valid, that there is a small voice within that says that something is wrong with us and we need someone else to fix it?

My point in saying/asking these things are to show that sometimes the question that needs answering is not the question asked, but rather for what reasons your asking it. Seeking within your conscious question for a subconscious motive/reason will help you define your question more, or in some cases nullify it all together before you even need an answer.

The one thing that can fill the void is the Living Water of Jesus Christ. Seek the meaning of this and you will learn the answer to your question.

Answer 7

So you want a rule book for life? Then look towards the Holy Bible. It answers your every question, sometimes you may have to search a little more, look a little harder, but it will always be there.

Answer 8

The guidance of the Holy Spirit will come as a conscience in questions of right and wrong, especially if you profess faith in Christ and follow Christ's teachings and God's law.

Answer 9

Unless your conscious is smeared, Gods laws are written on your heart. To follow Him, would Always be doing the right thing.
Still unsure? pray about it and God will always tell you you and to be really sure about are you hearing Him right? He will let you know in two or more ways.
And believe me then you will know without doubt what to do.

Answer 10

Only when the rule book is the Holy Bible. It is the owner's manual for the human soul. Read it sometimes. Its the all-time worlds best seller you know?

Answer 11

When you are born you have a sense of good and evil. Common sense will decide if you are doing the right thing.