Of course, people will try and justify their actions by thinking about the good that they might be able to do because of the action. But to do this is to simply justify the action after the fact, when the action itself is wrong in the first place. You might tell yourself or others, “Well, if I do this then we can do this or this”, but you can’t do wrong to get a chance to do right. And you can’t put good things as the reason for denying God things. That is idolatry.

Speaking of idolatry, think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:13-18). King Nebuchadnezzar told these young men that he would spare their lives if they bowed down to his golden statue. They said no. How could they deny God in such a way?

But now imagine if Nebuchadnezzar went further, and told them that he would release all Israel from captivity if they just bowed down to his idol. What an opportunity! They would be heroes! Surely, God would be pleased. Surely, he wanted his people set free. Surely, this must be his will. But their answer would still have been no.

Think about Jesus with Satan on top of the mountain (Matthew 4:8-10). The Devil said he would give Jesus the whole world if he would just bow down to him. But Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Lady Folly tells you to gratify your desires (Proverbs 7:18). But Lady Wisdom says nothing you desire can compare with her (Proverbs 3:15). Don’t be a fool. Mark 8:36 – For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?