Occasionally I’ve seen the argument made that if we aren’t teaching grace in such a way that people misunderstand and accuse us of permitting sin, then we aren’t teaching it as it should be taught. After all, Paul was opposed over his teaching of grace:

“And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), ‘Let us do evil that good may come’” (Rom. 3:8).

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1).

Read more: On Grace and Being Misunderstood

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it”  (Prov. 22:6) 

Read more: Helping Our Children Face Peer Pressure

It is easy to bless the Lord when life is easy. When everything is turning up sunshine and roses, we find it natural to give God thanks and glory and praise. But life isn’t always like that. In fact, for Christians it is often not like that. Don’t get me wrong, there are blessings galore at all times. But often, Satan desires to sift us like wheat to get us to turn our backs on God. He will do anything and everything he can to trip us up. That can make for tough times.

Read more: Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

A popular idea today maintains certain goals or “ends” are so good and noble that the methods used to reach them, even sinful ones, are justified. Actually, this concept is not new. Paul wrote “And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come?” – As we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just (Rom. 3:8). God’s Word exposes this deception, not only in this passage, but throughout the scriptures.

Read more: Doing Evil For Good