Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash 5 Ways Discovering One’s Moral Compass!
Have you watched TV news lately? If so, one discovers much of society is acting backwards! People call evil good and good evil! It seems a person’s opinion and actions have become more acceptable than obeying the law.
I am not saying that a person cannot voice their opinions. What I am saying is, when a person crosses over from expressing their opinion to doing acts of violence, something is terribly wrong.
When this happens, we call evil good and good evil! Our leaders who are in positions of authority are confused, making judgement calls on incidents that clearly violate law, yet justify the actions of the law-breakers. (see CNN Report) Where is justice?
We can understand the dilemma that many are feeling. Even Job in the Old Testament stated, “25 And did I not weep for those in trouble? Wasn’t I deeply grieved for the needy? 26 I therefore looked for good to come. Evil came instead. I waited for the light. Darkness came. 27 My heart is troubled and restless. Waves of affliction have come upon me. (Job 30:25-27, TLB)”
If we are a follower of Christ, it is heart-wrenching to watch the moral fiber of our nation crumble because of a lack of wisdom, justice and mercy.
This is nothing new, Israel exhibited this behavior long ago. In Judges 17:6 we read, “(For in those days Israel had no king, so everyone did whatever he wanted to—whatever seemed right in his own eyes.) (TLB)”
It seems we have some leaders who have lost their way, and many people are following doing whatever seems “right” in their own eyes!
Before we debate on what is right and what is wrong, what is evil and what is good, I believe we can agree that America is off its moral compass! So here are five ways one can discover and realign their moral compass!
To know “right” from “wrong,” “good” from “evil,” I must understand the balance between facts and emotions.
Facts that a society agrees upon are established as law. “Law and Order” is defined as “a situation characterized by respect for and obedience to the rules of a society.” (https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/law) So under this definition then, when disrespect and disobedience to the rules of society are displayed, a person or group has broken the law. When officials or leaders ignore the person or group who are breaking the law, this causes civil unrest and can lead to anarchy.
When I place my feelings above facts, I will live life on an emotional roller coaster. If I place facts above feelings, I will live my life in a legalistic regiment fashion. Yet if I have facts as a foundation supported by feelings, I will live life with a balance view of justice.
For example: If I demand justice because my loved one was murdered and yet the facts showed they broke the law, does my feeling of grief overrule the fact my loved one was a law-breaker? If I demand justice because my loved one was murdered and yet the facts showed they were innocent, they were a victim of crime, or hate-crime, does the emotion of grief over-rule the fact my loved one was a victim? Does the emotion support justice? Or is justice flooded by emotions? In the question of what is “right and wrong,” there can be a whole list compiled. It is important to keep one’s emotions in “check” to support to uphold law and order and promote justice.
To know “right” from “wrong,” “good” from “evil” there has to be a moral standard.
A moral standard tells me what is “right, wrong, good, and/or evil.” If I don’t have one, then anything goes… chaos can happen.
Our society demonstrated a different standard of morality. Much of what we hear, are politicians speaking on their interpretation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This seems miscued. “The Constitution of the United States established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens.” (see history.com article) The problem comes when we neglect the law, ignore it, or re-interpret it to fit and justify our actions, we are slipping down the slope of losing our moral bearings.
An absolute is “a value or principle which is regarded as universally valid or which may be viewed without relation to other things. (https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/absolute)” When an individual says, “there are no absolutes!” or they elevate their opinion as an absolute, what they do diminishes core values. There is a “right,” and “wrong.” There are absolutes.
There are core values and laws that apply universally across the globe. One such example is the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” Taking another human life by murder is wrong. This is universally accepted across the globe. To state that it is perfectly legal to kill another human being and call this “good” is in effect twisting, inverting the moral absolute. The person who does this has disregarded the moral standard and substituted a different one to justify their actions, (their desire to murder) and say that it is “good.”
As a follower of Jesus Christ, there is a moral standard that is “The Bible.” The Word of God is God’s instruction to man, to know what is “good” and what is “evil.” God’s Word reveals how to live with others and what is required. Here are a few verses…
“Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 12:28 NIV,”
“Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice. Proverbs 29:26 NIV,”
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24 NIV,”
Many other verses that give guidance and instruction that people need to know and apply to their life and community are listed in the Bible. The moral standard should be, must be the Word of God. If you need direction finding your moral compass, start with the Bible.
To know “right from wrong,” “good from evil,” I must understand my limitations.
I may not have all the facts. I may not understand fully all the emotions in full “play.” So I should approach the issue with humility. I should approach the situation with a listening ear and openness to discover the truth. I base this on my understanding of the law, and my moral standard - God’s Word.
Human beings are amazing creatures who are created in the likeness of God. But this does not mean that they know everything. We are finite in our thinking. God is infinite. We are limited, God is limitless. We cannot know everything about everything. We only know a limited amount of information to form our opinions. So I must realize when facing judgement calls, I may not have all the facts. I may not have all the evidence and I may or may not discover all the facts. So I must decide then on the limited amount of facts I have. What do I base my decision on? My emotions? What others say? What I think? The standard of the law? None of the above? All the above? It is important to know my limitations and through them seek to discover the truth. Through them, seek to be open and learn. Through them, be stretched, yet accept what I cannot know. I need to trust the process and accept the outcome.
To know “right” from “wrong,” “good” from “evil” I need to see the “right,” the “good,” behavior modeled!
Have you ever heard the saying, “Monkey see, monkey do?” In an article by KSPS/PBS suggests that children will imitate what parents show them. They will copy what is being modeled.
“Kids learn many of their lifetime habits, good and bad, by mimicking their parents. Monkey See, Monkey Do. What parents model is extremely influential to a child. Many parents preach a healthy lifestyle to their kids, but then do not do it themselves. Kids do what parents do, not what they say.”(see Monkey See, Monkey Do article)
We need to practice doing good and do what is right. This needs to be modeled before others. The apostle Paul even urged others to imitate him! (See 1 Corinthians 11:1)
To know “right” from “wrong,” “good” from “evil,” I need to practice the “golden rule.”
What is the golden rule? Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (ESV)”
How you would like to be treated by people? That is how you treat others. Jesus said it another way, “Love your neighbor as yourself!” (Matthew 22:39)
How can I consistently do this? by first loving God with all my heart, my mind, my soul, and strength and then His love in me gives me the ability to love others the way He loves them. God’s love in me will realign and rebuild my moral compass. His Word in me will give me wisdom to understand the times in which we live. His Spirit filling me (Ephesians 5:18) will give me the ability to be the example for Christ that I need to be.
This is just a few of my thoughts on discovering one’s moral compass. I do it through understanding the balance of facts and emotions, having a moral standard to live by, knowing my limitations, having a moral example and following the “golden rule.” How do you define your moral compass? I would like to hear from you. Email me or post a comment below. I trust this encourages you in your walk with God.
Growing together,
Teddy
2 Timothy 1:7