What Ever Happened to Morals?
//Kenneth W. Hagin
There’s no question about it. Morals in the United Sates are declining. It’s easy to get swept away with this tide because our society places little value on godly and moral character anymore. Sexuality is promoted on television and the Internet and in movies, books, magazines, and other communications media. Many young people have never been taught anything about character. And immorality is at a record high.
We are seeing a lack of character in every segment of society. Many people—including some Christians—do not think that godly character is an issue anymore. I remember a time when written contracts weren’t necessary. People were known by their character, and their word was their bond. But those days are long gone.
God’s Values
As Christians, we should place a higher value on character than anybody else. Immorality should never be a part of our lives. Many unsaved people will never pick up a Bible and read it. But by our words and actions, we become the Bible they read.
This may be a little strong, but it’s time we stand up and call wrong, wrong and right, right. Nowadays we don’t hear a lot of preaching against sin and for right living. But we who call ourselves Christians and who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb have a responsibility to the people outside the walls of our churches to demonstrate godly, moral character.
The Word of God puts a high emphasis on Christian values and moral character. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (NIV 1984).
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How Often Do We Change?
Duplicity is when a person openly acts one way and secretly acts another way with the intention of deceiving. Sometimes we call a person like this a chameleon. Like the small lizard that changes color depending on what it is crawling on, this person changes his actions and words depending on who he is with.
The Bible is filled with stories of people who refused to act in duplicity. They would not compromise their beliefs no matter what it cost them.
After being sold into slavery, Joseph would not compromise his integrity when his master’s wife tried to seduce him. Although Joseph spurned her advances, he found himself in prison charged with sexual assault. It looked like he was going under. But God was with him and it wasn’t long before Joseph was elevated to being second-in-command in Egypt. (See Genesis 39–41.)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also had a tough choice to make. They were ordered to worship a golden image or be thrown into a fiery furnace. They refused to bow down before the image. Instead, they stood up for what they believed, in spite of the seemingly dire consequences. And when we stand up for godly character, God won’t let us down.
These three young Hebrew men were delivered from their fiery fate and were promoted in the process. (See Daniel chapter 3.)
When the Going Gets Tough, What Do We Do?
Someone once said, “Character is not made in a crisis; it’s only exhibited.” Godly character is present and should be developed before the crisis strikes. And what’s already in our hearts is what will come out under pressure. We see in Galatians chapter 5 the godly characteristics we want firmly planted inside us.
GALATIANS 5:22–23 (NIV 1984)
22 . . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. More elements of godly character are found in First Corinthians chapter 13.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4–7 (NIV 1984)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Our Example to Follow
We often focus on the miracles Jesus performed during His life, and on His death on the Cross. But if we look at His life, we’ll find all the characteristics of godliness listed in these scriptures. Jesus showed us how we should live and act. He lived a godly life and set the example for us to follow.
The destinies of our families and the people around us depend on our character. Our lives—our words and actions—will either draw others to the Lord or push them away from Him. So let’s rise up and follow Christ’s example. Let’s exhibit the godly character and values He showed us.