When you pick up the Solomon Star and read the section on “local news” we cannot just turn a blind eye on the increase of rape and incest cases and see children as little as eight years old roaming the streets of Honiara begging for money and food.
These are signs of a decaying society. We are living in changing times. New customs evolve. Standards of morality change. Society accepts behaviour today that it would not tolerate yesterday.
Yet, society does not determine acceptable behaviour, God does! “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
To put it bluntly, if we think that moral issues are decided by the times we live in, then the devil has blinded us to the truth “…it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Not only does “the god of this age” colour and skew the way we think, but he masks the truth behind confusing questions, emotional situations, and rationalizations which hide real motives. All of these make the truth harder for us to accept.
Many of our assumptions twist and slant the truth, convincing us that they are the truth. Even though they directly oppose the Bible, we find difficulty convincing ourselves that they are wrong. Notice a few of our more common cultural assumptions.
There is the assumption that “self is number one,” that we should always look out for ourselves and think about what is best for us. God’s way is better—put God first, others second, and self-last (Matthew 22:37-39; Philippians 2:3-4).
There is the assumption that “I can’t help myself.” No one takes personal responsibility for their actions anymore—the fault is with our environment, our parents, or the lack of social programs. Yet, God will judge us for what we do (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Then there is the popular assumption “no one can claim to know the truth.” If someone claims to know the truth about moral issues, then he is labelled as an arrogant, religious bigot. Jesus said “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32). Was He a bigot?
Add the assumptions that “all social and moral values are relative” and “the church must keep up with the times” and we have a real mess! Is the Bible relevant for to today’s moral questions? Not only is it relevant, but it is the ultimate authority!
There is a popular term being tossed around a lot these days, “political correctness.” A person who is “politically correct” is blown along by the winds of popular opinion. He is influenced by the thinking of those who are outspoken about moral and social issues, who sway our thinking in a way that is consistent with the way they think we ought to think! Even without a certified list of politically correct or incorrect stands on issues, the influence and pressure is there nonetheless.
Our challenge is to take the proper stand on each of these issues, regardless of the way the political winds blow. Oftentimes, being politically correct will require that we be biblically incorrect. Which is more important? “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20).
When it comes to the politics of right and wrong, we need to be on the side of that which is right. Which is more important—to be politically correct or biblically correct? It does not matter what our society believes and accepts in this or any other generation. What matters is that we rise above these issues and be what our heavenly Father wants us to be, “that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” (1 Peter 4:2-4).
People may think it bigoted or narrow-minded to say what the Bible says about these moral issues. They can choose to go along with the crowd if they want, but we have to teach what God said, “politically correct” or not! “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32). My friend, it is time to take a stand for what is right! Where do you stand? Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad.” (Matthew 12:30).
By Rev. Eric D. Maefonea