Q: What are morals?
Morals are the principles we use to determine what is right and wrong.
Honesty or lying.
Faithfulness or betrayal.
Kindness or cruelty.
Self-control or giving every desire permission to control us.
But the bigger question is:
Who decides what’s right?
Q: Does society decide what is moral?
Society certainly influences what people accept.
But society changes.
What one generation celebrates, another may condemn.
What one culture considers normal, another may reject.
If popularity alone determines morality, then right and wrong can change every time public opinion changes.
Scripture gives Christians a different foundation:
“Thy word is truth.” — John 17:17 KJV
For the Christian, truth doesn’t begin with:
“How do I feel about this?”
It begins with:
“What has God said?”
Q: Can’t I just follow my heart?
The Bible warns against making feelings our ultimate authority.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
Your feelings are real.
But real feelings aren’t automatically reliable instructions.
Anger can feel justified.
Revenge can feel deserved.
Lust can feel like love.
Greed can feel like ambition.
Pride can feel like confidence.
That’s why we don’t simply ask:
“What feels right?”
We ask:
“What is right?”
Q: Isn’t being a good person enough?
The problem is that everyone can create their own definition of “good.”
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 KJV
Biblical morality isn’t merely avoiding murder, stealing or obvious evil.
It’s also about the person you’re becoming.
How do you treat people who can’t benefit you?
Are you honest when lying would be easier?
Are you faithful when nobody would know?
Do you forgive?
Do you control your anger?
Do you keep your word?
What do you do when nobody is watching?
Character is morality when there is no audience.
Q: What are some basic moral principles taught in Scripture?
Tell the truth.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth…” — Ephesians 4:25
Treat others properly.
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…” — Matthew 7:12
Remain sexually pure.
“Flee fornication.” — 1 Corinthians 6:18
Control yourself.
Temperance—or self-control—is part of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23.
Love people.
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” — Matthew 22:39
Forgive.
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…” — Colossians 3:13
Do what is right even when it costs you.
That’s where morality becomes character.
Q: What if everyone around me says something is okay?
Numbers don’t determine truth.
Jesus warned that the broad road would have plenty of people walking on it.
“Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” — Matthew 7:13 KJV
Something doesn’t become right because millions approve of it.
And something doesn’t become wrong because you’re standing alone.
Never confuse popularity with morality.
Q: Should Christians force their morals onto everyone else?
Christians are called first to live what they believe.
Jesus taught:
“Let your light so shine before men…” — Matthew 5:16 KJV
There is a difference between standing for truth and treating people with contempt.
You can disagree without hatred.
You can hold convictions without arrogance.
You can tell the truth without forgetting love.
Jesus said the great commandments were to love God and love your neighbor.
Truth and love were never supposed to be enemies.
Q: What if I’ve lived an immoral life?
Then understand something important:
Christianity isn’t a museum for people who never failed.
The gospel is for people who need forgiveness.
Paul reminded Christians in Corinth about their former sinful lives and then said:
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified…” — 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV
Notice the word:
WERE.
Your past explains where you’ve been.
It doesn’t have to determine where you’re going.
Repent.
Turn around.
Obey God.
Walk differently.
Q: So what determines my morals?
Every person eventually has to answer that.
Culture?
Friends?
Politics?
Social media?
Desire?
Feelings?
Or God?
Because when everything around you keeps changing…
you need something that doesn’t.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105 KJV
Don’t build your morality around whatever the world happens to approve of today.
Build your life on truth.
Then have enough courage to live it…
even when nobody else does.
RESTORED LIFE AFTER