“Do the right thing.”

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet so often doing the right thing runs against every fibre of our nature—redeemed in Christ, yet still battling the corruption of the fall and the temptations that press on us from within and without.

As Paul writes in Romans 7:21–23:

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”

The truth is, we all struggle to obey Jesus Christ—especially when we fear the consequences. Join me as we look more deeply into why we struggle so hard, and why we must, by His grace, persevere.

The Right Thing Defies Our Desire for Comfort

Sometimes we are simply lazy. We love comfort, and we don’t want to put in the emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual effort required to do what we know we should.

Other times, our hard-wired instincts toward self-preservation take over. The “right thing” might not only cost us energy; it may also require risk. We start weighing the unknowns: How will people react? What will they think? Could I get hurt in the process? Our comfort, reputation, finances, emotional well-being, or even physical safety may feel like they’re on the line.

Our Inner Pragmatist Argues Against the Right Thing

The pragmatist in us always asks, “Will it be worth it?” If we choose to put in the effort—if we take the risk of doing the right thing—will it even pay off?

When we choose courage in telling the truth, enforcing a necessary boundary, or asking for forgiveness, we know there’s no guarantee of reward. Sometimes, instead of earning respect, we feel as though we’ve placed our neck on the line only to have the blade come down.

And if our hearts are in the right place, we’re not only worried about the personal cost. We also wonder whether our obedience in the hard things will make any difference at all. We fear that doing what Jesus asks won’t produce the change or healing we hope to see in others.

Again the pragmatist whispers: “Will it work?”

The Right Thing Goes Against the Tide of This World

Scripture itself acknowledges a world where righteousness can be costly. As Isaiah said:

“Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
and uprightness cannot enter.
Truth is lacking,
and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.”
(Isaiah 59:14–15)

What vivid language Isaiah uses. When we attempt to do what is right, tell the truth, and depart from evil in this world, we often make ourselves prey.

Not only do we fear the consequences of following the narrow way, we also face the constant echo of the world’s lies. The world’s standard of right and wrong and God’s standard often do not align. We live in a culture that “calls evil good and good evil,” that “puts darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). When we are not steeped in the Word of God and instead rely on worldly voices, standing firm on holy and costly convictions becomes difficult. The world would also have us believe that the consequences of upholding righteousness and confronting sin are worse than silence—and perhaps better avoided altogether. Again, this plants fear in us and can cause us to doubt what God is calling us to say and do.

Wrapping Up Part 1

As believers, we shouldn’t be surprised that obedience is hard. Scripture prepares us for this battle. But the story doesn’t end with struggle. In Part 2, we’ll look at the encouragement God gives us, the truths we must cling to, and how we can step boldly into doing what is right—even when it feels costly.

Part 2 is now available! I’d love for you to continue the series here: Why We Must Obey Jesus—Even When It Costs Us.