What Is Your Moral Compass?

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

A compass is a relatively simple instrument based on a simple concept.  With its northward-facing needle, it is a consistent and true indicator of physical direction.   

The concept of morality is also relatively simple at its absolute core.  It represents conduct or duties based on what is right and wrong. Morality is considered to be the basis of character and is wrapped around ethics.

By placing the word “moral” in front of compass, we envision a clear picture of mental processes that point a person in a particular direction in life.

So, simply stated, a moral compass is the thing inside of us that tells us which direction we should go when we have to make decisions involving right and wrong.   This leads to behavior from which we judge a person’s character based on whether they will make moral and good decisions.

Is morality relative?

Hardly anyone today would deny that in the modern West, the prevailing cultural mood is one of moral relativism.  A majority of people in the United States, for example, would deny that there is any absolute truth, especially when it comes to matters of personal and private behavior.  The problem is even more advanced in Europe.  Most people have a live-and-let-live attitude, and they voice opinions like, “What is right for you may not be right for me” and “Don’t force your morality upon me!”

Moral relativism is the belief that there is no absolute moral law that is relevant to all people, for all time.  It’s the assertion that morality changes with time and culture.  What may have been considered immoral just a few decades ago is no longer deemed wrong, but is now considered acceptable and “right” in most people’s view.

In our pluralistic culture today, is it any wonder that our moral compass points anywhere and everywhere, but to absolute truth?  God is no longer considered real or relevant.  Parents no longer rear their children with biblical instruction, and young people in turn experience a virtual spiritual vacuum.

Then, as we see the chaos that ensues, we cannot accept the violence and depravity that surrounds us.  But we should not despair; there is hope! 

God’s Word provides the unchanging instruction we need.  It’s our moral compass to navigate life in a way that glorifies Him. Take a few moments and read through some of the Bible’s clear directions:

     • Exodus 20:1-17: God’s great commands to obey.

     • Mark 7:20-23: Jesus’ partial list of immoral things to avoid.

     • Ephesians 4:17–5:21: Paul’s contrasting of morally right and wrong behaviors.

If we don’t take the time to study and consciously apply God’s truth to our lives, we’ll remain spiritual   wanderers.  The point of our compass will simply meander along with the directionless crowds.  We need God’s “GPS” to find our way through the wilderness.  His Word alone will give us true moral direction.

Being Christians in this chaotic world, we face the challenge of having our ethics shaped by the culture around us.  That is why we must be careful to discern the messages we are being sent and evaluate them by the standards of God’s Word.  

Our media-driven age makes this even more difficult.  

We are constantly bombarded by narratives that, sometimes subtly and unconsciously, tell us that absolute truth is impossible to know, even intolerant and outdated.  Yet the painful reality of today’s world screams that we have, as a culture, lost our way.  We desperately need to stem the violence, confusion and pain, but society ignores the simple and obvious—but not always easy—solution.  

May we strive not to embrace what the voices around us are telling us is good, but call good only that which our Lord approves.  

 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14)

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.