How We Know What Good Is

By Bill Markham

In a world where “good” can be as subjective as asking if the food was tasty or if someone was well behaved, it’s crucial to understand true goodness from a biblical perspective. The Bible challenges us to see goodness not just as a moral nicety but as a powerful weapon against evil.

Romans 12:21 reminds us, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (NIV). The Bible is clear: The standard of what is good is God. It’s rooted in His character, His purpose, and what He has revealed as His best for us and this world. Righteousness is God’s invitation into His goodness.

However, we all face a “goodness deficit.” As Paul writes in Romans 7:18, For I know that good itself does not dwell in me. … For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. We cannot achieve true goodness through our own strength; that’s why we are called to rise above our limitations by relying on God’s power, recognizing that true goodness is defined by God alone (Romans 12:2).

Goodness is not passive; it results from daily acts of obedience and obedient attitudes. Galatians 6:9-10 encourages us to continue doing good, even when it’s challenging, trusting that God will bring a harvest in due time. Challenge: This week, identify one area where you can actively choose to do good, reflecting God’s character. Let’s be people who don’t just talk about goodness but live it out daily.

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