Does the end justify the means? Many people think so. They have little trouble achieving their goals by whatever means will work. If it means lying to succeed, they deceive. They malign if it means advancement despite destroying an innocent person’s credibility. If it means rejecting the commands of God, they rebel.

This way of thinking must not find a safe harbor in Christians’ hearts. When charged with saying, “Let us do evil that good may come,” the apostle refuted it as slander (Rom. 3:7-8). And, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein (Rom. 3:8; 6:1-2)?”

God disapproves of “the end justifies the means” approach to solving problems. God rebuked Moses and denied him access to the promised land because he struck the rock twice when God commanded him to speak to the rock (to bring forth water). The “end justifies the means” mindset says, “God must have been pleased since water came from the rock.” But, God was not pleased with the means Moses used. He called it unbelief and rebellion (Num. 20:12; 27:14). When God commanded King Saul to destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, Saul and the people spared king Agag and the best animals (1 Sam. 15:3, 9). Saul defended his disobedience by saying the animals would be offered to the Lord (1 Sam. 15:15). God was not impressed. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam. 15:22-23). To think our “end” justifies the “means” is as presumptuous as asserting any means justifies the end (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; Acts 26:9). To have God’s approval, both the end and the means to that end must have divine sanction (Col. 3:17).

Practical application of this truth becomes evident. We do not decide for ourselves the “means” (how) of salvation, faithful living, or going to heaven. Instead, we listen and obey (Luke 8:8, 18; Matt. 7:21). When the Lord establishes the means to the end, He expects us to follow His means to the end (Luke 6:46).

All we do in life must be with Christ’s authority (Matt. 28:18; Acts 4:12; Col. 3:17). Whether it is morality, religion, personal relationships, the work, worship, and organization of the local church, or any other activity, our end must agree with God’s stated purpose (established in Scripture). And, God’s word must approve the means we use to achieve that end. To do less is presumptuous rebellion because we make ourselves the final authority over our conduct.

Those who adopt and apply “the end justifies the means” philosophy will receive a just condemnation for their arrogant rebellion against the Lord (Rom. 3:8). God will not approve such rebellion against His will. Therefore, we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, assured He will exalt us in due time (1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:10).

Faithfully obeying divinely-revealed truth is our only means to God’s end (Matt. 7:21).

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