The insidious virus of moral relativism is spreading like wildfire through our society, infiltrating every corner of our lives.
Law enforcement officials are told to turn a blind eye to criminal activity, while prosecutors abandon their duty to uphold justice. The very fabric of our society is being torn apart as gender is reduced to a mere feeling, and traditional moral values are disregarded at will. This rampant disregard for objective truth has left us with a culture where anything goes, and no one is held accountable.
The scourge of moral relativism may seem like a modern malady, but it has plagued humanity for centuries. The book of Judges provides a chilling account of the devastating consequences that arise when people abandon the objective truth of God’s law and indulge in moral relativism. Repeatedly, we read the haunting refrain, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit,” a stark reminder of the chaos and lawlessness resulting in people rejecting God’s authority and making themselves arbiters of right and wrong. The pages of Judges are a cautionary tale for our own time, warning us of the dangers of moral relativism and the urgent need to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God’s word.
As we look around our society today, it’s hard not to see the parallels between our world and the time of the Judges in Israel. Moral relativism has become the norm in both eras, blurring the lines between right and wrong and leaving people adrift without a clear sense of purpose. Moreover, a lack of strong leadership has allowed this moral decay to take root, leaving people without guidance or direction. And without ethical standards and accountability, there’s little to prevent the spread of moral relativism and the chaos that ensues. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of moral relativism and the critical role that strong leadership, ethical standards, and accountability play in safeguarding our society and preserving our moral compass.
1. The Danger of Moral Relativism
During the period of the Judges, the Israelites fell away from God and became more and more corrupt. They did what was right in their own eyes, and moral relativism became the norm. Similarly, in modern society, moral relativism is often seen as acceptable, and the lines between right and wrong are blurred. This can lead to a lack of direction and purpose as people struggle to determine what is truly important.
2. The Importance of Strong Leadership
A lack of strong leadership marked the period of the Judges, which allowed moral relativism to become commonplace. Similarly, in modern society, a lack of strong leadership can lead to confusion and a lack of direction. Strong leaders provide guidance, inspiration, and a moral compass to help people stay on the right path.
3. The Need for Ethical Standards
During the period of the Judges, there was no king to enforce the law and maintain order. The people were expected to follow the moral code outlined in the Ten Commandments and other laws God gave. Similarly, in modern society, there is a need for ethical standards that can guide our behavior and decision-making. Without such standards, moral relativism can become the norm.
4. The Importance of Accountability
During the period of the Judges, there was no centralized leadership to hold people accountable for their actions. Similarly, in modern society, there is often a lack of accountability, and people may do as they please without fear of consequences. Accountability is essential for maintaining ethical standards and preventing moral relativism from becoming commonplace.
Conclusion:
The phrase “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit” is a reminder of the dangers of moral relativism and the importance of strong leadership, ethical standards, and accountability. These lessons from the period of the Judges are still relevant today, as we struggle with similar issues in modern society. By learning from past mistakes, we can work to create a better future for ourselves and future generations. The question is: will we allow this plague to consume us, or will we stand up for what is right and true?
Discussion Questions:
These questions can serve as a valuable framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- In what ways does the moral relativism of the period of the judges compare to the moral relativism that is commonplace in modern society?
- How does a lack of strong leadership contribute to the prevalence of moral relativism in society?
- What are specific examples of ethical standards that can help prevent moral relativism from becoming the norm?
- How can accountability help maintain ethical standards and prevent moral relativism from becoming commonplace?
- What can we learn from past mistakes to help create a better future for ourselves and future generations?
More Articles
I have written many articles on obedience to God. You can find them by typing “Obedience to God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #533: The Inspiring Stories of Women Leaders in the Early Christian Church
- #526: 7 Leadership Lessons from A Prophet with Ulterior Motives
- #502: What If Jesus Conducted a Performance Review on You?
- #498: Are We Celebrating Labor Day with Rest the Way We Should?
- #497: Is God Testing Our Faith When He Asks Us to Wait?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How has moral relativism impacted you and your ability to lead?
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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God
Wow, love this article. It’s so funny how sane adults come up with perfectly reasonable solutions, as outlined above, yet, the general public cannot remember the basics from college, like morality and the law not being the same thing. Our dear ulteriorly motivated leaders codify absurdities to give them moral weight, since faux morals cannot stand on their own as moral actions because they are nonsensical. I suspect this failure is from a lack of men following or knowing God. Masonry was a failed replacement for the true church. Larking is not leadership.
Thanks, Junia – glad you enjoyed this. I’m afraid when people look back at this time in history, they will repeat the line, “In those days, everyone did as he saw fit!”