Is It All Right To Throw Rocks At Someone Who Threw Rocks At You?
Answer: It is not right to do something bad to someone just became that person did something bad to us.
The Bible calls that “returning evil for evil,” and Jesus says it is wrong.
The Bible also tells us that we shouldn’t try to get back at people who hurt us.
We do not have the right to punish people for the things they do wrong.
Instead we should talk about the situation with God and leave it with him.
It’s all right to protect ourselves, but it’s not OK to get even.
This may seem unfair. But actually, only God knows how to judge fairly – we don’t.
By refusing to return evil for evil, we let God take care of making things right. And God is perfect in all his judgments.
Just because someone else is sinning doesn’t give us the excuse to sin.
We should always try to obey God and do what is right. God’s way is always best.
Getting back at others usually doesn’t solve the problem; it just makes things worse.
Key verses: The law of Moses says, “A man might gouge out another man’s eye.
If this happens, he must pay with his own eye. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the one who did it.”
But I say don’t stand against violence! If you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other one, too. (Matthew 5:38-39)
Related verses: Proverbs 20:22; Luke 6:27-36; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:17-21
Related questions: Is it wrong to yell at my parents when they tell me no? Is it wrong to be angry at my brother after he broke something of mine?
Should you be mean to someone who was really mean to your sister?
Is It All Right To Say Bad Things If There Is No One There To Hear You?
Answer: If something is wrong, then it is wrong even if no one else ever finds out about it.
So swearing, lying, and saying bad things about others are wrong, even if our parents, friends, neighbors, and everyone else can’t hear.
God knows what’s going on; he sees and hears everything. That’s why a true test of your character comes whenever you think no one else is watching or listening.
If you really believe that swearing is wrong, you won’t do it, period. You won’t look for opportunities to do it when no one is around to catch you.
Work hard at speaking and thinking what is good and right, even when no one else is around, because that’s what really matters.
Even what you think counts; God knows our every thought.
And if anyone ever does find out what you said in private, they will know that you can be trusted. Live every moment as a service to God.
Key verse: Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to. That will give them a blessing. (Ephesians 4:29)
Related verses: Proverbs 5:21; 20:11; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Philippians 4:8
Related question: Is it wrong to swear under your breath?
Note to parents: Kids often think that if a deed doesn’t hurt anybody, it’s OK.
But wrong actions always hurt someone in some way in the long run.
The damage may be indirect or take time to become obvious, such as when chronic lying destroys trust in a family.
But in the end, everything we do has an effect on others.
Can I Do Whatever I Want When I’m Older?
Answer: Some kids think that when they grow up they will be able to do anything they want. And it
may appear that some adults live that way. But that’s not true. All our lives we will have rules and laws to obey.
When God gave the Ten Commandments, he gave them to all people, of all ages, for all time.
No one outgrows the need to follow God’s ways. We should always obey God.
That’s one of the reasons God tells us to obey our parents.
Doing what they say helps us learn to obey those in authority over us later in life. It also helps us want to do what’s right.
Key verse: Don’t let anyone think little of you because you are young. Be their example.
Let them follow the way you teach and live. Be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Related verses: John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:1-4
Related question: Why do grown-ups yell at each other?
Note to parents: The question behind the question here may be about double standards.
If parents do something they forbid kids to do, it will appear to the children that adults can do whatever they want. Don’t use your age to justify wrong behavior.