Every so often, and usually because of tragic circumstances, our nation discusses right and wrong, good and evil. In times past, there was a general consensus that right and wrong can be clearly distinguished. Sadly, over the last few decades, the lines have been blurred. This has taken place mainly in educational and religious institutions, one spilling over into the other. Now our society is infected with moral relativity, that is, nothing is definitely right or wrong; it all depends on your perspective.
Moral relativity has been responsible for a wide acceptance of abortion, adultery, fornication, drunkenness, lying, etc. It has also led to some saying that what the terrorists did way back on 9/11 cannot be defined as wrong or evil. Some news services would not even call the men who murdered thousands terrorists!
The Bible says there is right and wrong, good and evil (Lk. 6:45). The Bible provides us with moral clarity! It states that abortion (murder), adultery, fornication, drunkenness, lying, etc. are evil (Mk. 7:21-23; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8).
We are to have moral clarity, discerning between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). The way we distinguish between right and wrong is by having a reliable standard. Men are not that standard, as their opinions and ideas change from one generation to the next. Men are responsible for blurring the line between right and wrong. They are the ones who say the murderous terrorists are not evil, just frustrated and misunderstood. The only reliable standard of determining good and evil is the Word of God! “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). We know good and evil only by knowing God’s will (cp. Rom. 7:7).
The hosts of sin assail moral clarity by pushing moral relativity. When the lines are blurred, any sin can be justified, including murdering thousands of innocent people. Therefore, we need to maintain moral clarity, knowing right from wrong by knowing God’s word.
Steven F. Deaton
