Proving What Is Acceptable To The Lord

The inspired writer Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:8-10: “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord” (emphasis mine).

Human history is replete with things people produced and offered to God, only to face the consequences of His displeasure (Genesis 4:1-15).

In each of these cases, the people believed at the time that they were doing good. Why? Because what they did was acceptable to themselves (cf. Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25).

For example:

See here.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets