Does the End Justify the Means?

A question we might have asked ourselves on several occasions.
The slogan 'The end justifies the Means' also known as 'situation ethics' originated from Niccolo Benardo dei Marchiavelli, an Itallian diplomat, political theorist and Philosopher. He is also the founder of modern political sciences. Machiavelli first used the cliché in his master piece, 'the prince'
This slogan is used to comment on the ethics or morality of an action. But what does it really mean?

We live in a society today where most people often judge actions by their result. In this era of moral decadence, greed and insatiable thirst for money, fame and power, people no longer care about rules and regulations, morality and ethics. Many young people are now willing to do whatever it takes them to get to the top, and they want it real quick. Any fast but dangerous means is very much a welcomed idea to them.

In the society I live here in Nigeria, making it big as a young bachelor is what is in vogue now. For the young ladies, hooking the richest guys available by whatever means (including trapping him with pregnancy) is also the obtainable now.
The ladies in the corporate world especially marketers would do almost anything, including sleeping with their clients and bosses in order to secure contracts and promotions. This is also common in the movie industry. As for the politicians, their story is nothing to write home about . When they  finally get to the top, only few people would actually care to know how they got there.

Scholars have interpreted the phrase to mean doing anything whatsoever that is required to get the result one desires, regardless of the method used whether it is good or evil, legal or illegal, moral or not.
Some have also interpreted the phrase to mean that morally wrong actions are sometimes neccesary to achieve morally right outcomes.

What is God's Opinion on this matter?
Paul was against the opinion that we should do evil so that good may arise, as he was wrongly accused of (Romans 3:5).
One man rightly called the end justifies the means slogan, 'using the devils tool to do God's work'

If Jesus said ''do unto others what you'll have them do to you''  (mathew 7:12 )  why then do we think he would permit us to hurt, injure or kill our fellow man in the process of achieving our selfish desires.
When God gives us a mission or assignment, whether he specifies the means or not, he expects us to not disobey any of his words. Obedience must apply in both the means and the end.
When saul was sent to destroy the Amalekites, he spared some animals to sacrifise to God (a good end i'll say, but contrary to Gods instruction to destroy everything). God was angry with saul and purnished him.

Today, people justify abortion, Euthanasia and suicide, they say its better to eliminate an unborn baby than to bring it into misery. And it's also better to end ones life to spare them of the agony and suffering. Some countries even legalise these terribly ungodly acts. Lies of the devil, its all murder! God says they will all pay for it, God is not mocked. (Gal 6:7)
The armed robbers, corrupt politicians and rulers, drug pushers and criminals; they build facilities, schools and mega churches, donate to charity with money gotten from evil means. Also the fake pastors and ministers who win souls and perform miracles with occultic powers, all is sin.

Jesus said '' On that day, many will say to me, did i not prophesy in your name, perform miracles, do this and that for you....but I will tell them plainly, I never knew you, Away from me you evil doers (Mathew 7: 22-23)

Well, do you still think that how you make it doesnt matter? If yes, please do re-consider your stand on this.

We must do all things the way God approves of it, that is the right way stipulated by his word. To Him, the end certainly doesn't justify the means.

by Chioma Morah