Morality
Whether we admit it or not, nearly everyone has a sense of morality. If you believe murder is wrong, then you have established a value system, and you have at least one standard for morality. If you would be upset with someone who came into your home and stole your belongings, then you believe theft is wrong. Therefore, you have some sense of a value system.
Yet, many people are not always on the same page when it comes to morality. Some believe it is wrong to murder while others justify the murder of an unborn child. Some stand strongly opposed to adultery while a few married couples claim they have an “open relationship” and sex outside of marriage is fine. Some stand opposed to drunkenness while others embrace it “as long as it does not hurt anyone.” Hitler’s Nazi Germany practiced genocide as they exterminated various people groups in favor of their own “supreme race.” The world stood in horror at such atrocities believing murder was wrong.
Here is the question. In those situations, who is right and who is wrong and why? How do we determine whether an action is proper or improper conduct? Is it just my opinion versus your opinion? Is it the government’s job to dictate based on the views of the current, popular governing party? Or, is there a common standard and basis for our morals?
This question is extremely important for your families. How do we establish agreed moral expectations for our spouses without a common, moral basis? How can we establish a standard set of morals for our children without a basis for morality?
Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Our own inner “gut feelings” about the correctness of behavior may not always be right and can lead to confusion. So, how can we establish a standard for right and wrong?
God’s Word sets the precedent for moral and immoral behavior. Peter once wrote, “...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3). God has shown how He expects us to live. In addition, God’s Word has shown us the definition of sin. 1 John 3:4 says, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”
Sin and immorality take place not when we go against someone’s opinion. Sin occurs when we go against God’s revealed will! Yet, if you are ignorant of God’s Word, your basis for morality is merely self-derived and arbitrary!
“Here is the
question. In those
situations, who is
right and who is
wrong and why?
How do we
determine whether
an action is proper
or improper
conduct? Is it just
my opinion versus
your opinion? Or,
is there a common
standard and basis
for our morals?”
October 2008