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Could you show what you mean by moral and ethical. I see them as the same things. "Moral" as what is right by the majority. Ethical as what is moral
MB

 

I expect there are a range of definitions for both morals and ethics, so any effort to sally forth might simply result in a pointless discussion that the concepts do not mean this or that.

Now God is said to be morally excellent, thus virtuous in thought and action. Thus as children of God we are to be chips off the old block. (1 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 1:5)

Scripture says we were called by God's glory and moral excellence. Thus we were attracted by God's goodness.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is morally excellent, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

What is moral is not always correct. It's an opinion of the majority. In fact the word isn't found in the original biblical language.

 

Webster’s doesn’t make much distinction between the two, nor does the Bible use them as such. One would need to make an artificial semantic distinction before discoursing, which is fine, as long as others are aware of the intent and usage and can agree.

ETH'ICAL, adjective [Latin ethicus; Gr. manners.]

Relating to manners or morals; treating of morality; delivering precepts of morality; as ethic discourses or epistles.

ETH'ICS, noun The doctrines of morality or social manners; the science of moral philosophy, which teaches men their duty and the reasons of it.

2. A system of moral principles; a system of rules for regulating the actions and manners of men in society.

MORAL'ITY, noun The doctrine or system of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.

The system of morality to be gathered from the writings of ancient sages, falls very short of that delivered in the gospel.​

 

Those are similar to what the modern Webster’s (Merriam-Webster) says, though neither is stated to be absolute (examples omitted):

Ethics and morals are both used in the plural and are often regarded as synonyms, but there is some distinction in how they are used:

Morals often describes one's particular values concerning what is right and what is wrong:

While ethics can refer broadly to moral principles, one often sees it applied to questions of correct behavior within a relatively narrow area of activity:

In addition, morals usually connotes an element of subjective preference, while ethics tends to suggest aspects of universal fairness and the question of whether or not an action is responsible:

Definition of MORAL​

If we want a word for God’s standards, “righteous” would seem a much better term.

 

But God demands righteousness, holiness, godliness, which is why we need Jesus Christ.

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” (Romans 3:10)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

It is because of [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Cor. 1:30)​

 

Not sure what your point is? I referenced several verses where a Greek word translated as moral excellence and virtue appears.
Scripture tells us to dwell on, meditate on, think about "moral excellence." I very much doubt what scripture refers to is not always correct. Again, I have no interest in arguing alternate means, only the intended meaning of scripture, both as an attribute of God, and how we are to live.

 

As stated previously, the terms must be defined and agreed to beforehand, and you were even late on the draw, quoting without citation your own preferred website definitions in comparison to others.

Was there a good reason to omit the citation or link? Either way, it doesn't establish a biblical case, only a manmade one, which seems rather ironic here.

 

That is contradictory or employing obfuscation.

For clarity, note that there is a difference between having been given the Holy Spirit and walking by the Spirit. This is why Paul says to walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), and not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

 

Glad you brought them up.

What the Pharisees did was substitute their own rules, their own traditions, for God's commands. Here is something Jesus actually says (Mark 7:6-13):

[Jesus] replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”​

The distinction is between God's moral doctrines or standards and man's loophole efforts to avoid them. Perhaps another way to put it is that it's the difference between God's desires or will and man's.

 

That sounds very much like saying this is supposed to be a philosophical exercise based on mental gymnastics. It would explain not providing Scriptural support, but makes no sense, especially for the Christian: “For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death,” (Rom. 8:2).

 

Yes, I understand what you are talking about, I just challenged the unnecessary insistence on semantics involving the use of "ethics" and "morals" with distinction. Neither word is needed, or biblical.

Adhering to godly, biblical principles is common to every mature Christian I know. The Bible refers to it as walking by the Spirit, living by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, as in Galatians 5:13ff. It is the dismissal of this biblical description and dependence on the Holy Spirit in favor of your own philosophy that is most troubling.

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.​