Over the last couple decades we have watched the moral fabric of our nation, our churches, and our homes erode, such that it is difficult to find very many today with any moral objectivity, and likewise not being able to discern right from wrong. (Note: being able to discern right from wrong follows the same accord with being able to discern good from evil.) Prior to the flood, as recorded in the book of Genesis, the Lord observed man and his ways.
Genesis 6:5-6 states,
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
And through the annals of time, man has historically repeated the actions of their forefathers; sometimes with deepening debauchery, but still actions that came forth from an evil heart.
When the leaders of our nation, our churches, and yes, our homes abdicate their God given responsibilities to lead with moral objectivity; meaning, morals and standards not defined by man – but by God; the result is that the masses will drift to moral relativism (definition to follow) as explained in the following verses.
Deuteronomy 12:8,
“Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.”
Judges 17:6,
“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Proverbs 12:15,
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 16:2,
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.”
Proverbs 21:2,
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
Matthew 15:19,
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
2 Corinthians 10:12,
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
Moral relativism is defined as the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are “culturally based” and therefore subject to a person’s individual choice. We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what’s right for you, and I’ll decide what’s right for me. Moral relativism says, “It’s true for me, if I believe it.” Moral relativism has steadily been accepted as the primary moral philosophy of modern society. The culture that was previously governed by a “Judeo-Christian” view of morality has been overrun and being set aside. Consequently, most people have been swayed to the concept that right or wrong are not absolutes, but can be determined by each individual. Morals and ethics can be altered from one situation, person, or circumstance to the next. Essentially, moral relativism says that anything goes, because life is ultimately without meaning. Words like “ought” and “should” are rendered meaningless. In this way, moral relativism makes the claim that it is morally neutral. But, is it really “neutral”? In our “politically correct” society, the evolving cultural view only has strength when it can force its acceptance upon the populace as a whole. Consider the views held today on evolution, abortion, same-sex marriage, which bathroom / shower one can use based upon their perceived “gender identity”. All of the current views are the result of moral relativism. In fact, if you were to ask many college students today if anything is right or wrong, they will stand before you in a state of bewilderment – [because] they are afraid to make any type of moral objective statement that something is right or wrong. And this is because they have been taught to fear making any type of judgment that might make someone else uncomfortable.
The Lord warned us from the very beginning of the consequences we face if we refuse to follow His ways.
Isaiah 5:20,
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
The “woe unto them” found in the Isaiah text can be further demonstrated by studying the effects of what it means to be turned over to a reprobate mind as detailed in Romans 1:18-32. It is imperative that we as God’s children study God’s Word to understand moral objectivity – such that we will be able to unapologetically discern between right and wrong and between good and evil; lest we be swept away with moral relativism.
