Living Right in God’s Eyes: True Morality vs. Self-Defined Values

Summary

Self-justification blinds people to sin, while true morality is determined only by God, not culture, opinions, or shifting social norms. Scripture repeatedly warns against doing what is evil “in the eyes of the Lord,” especially idolatry and rejecting His authority. When people redefine right and wrong, consequences follow, even if they are delayed. God sees everything and will judge every thought, word, and action. Blessing comes only when we obey Him fully and wholeheartedly.

When the Moral Line Constantly Moves

Andrew Cuomo resigned as Governor of New York State in 2021 after he was charged with sexually harassing women. In his resignation speech, he said, “In my mind, I have never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn.”¹ 

Self-Justification vs. Humble Confession

Self-justification is the opposite of humbly confessing our sins to God and others.  Much trouble lies ahead if being right is more important to us than being right with God.

Culture Isn’t the Moral Authority

“In most of the countries Pew studied, the share of adults who say it is not necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values is typically at least twice as high as the share who say it is necessary.”² Most people do not consider God as the go-to authority on right and wrong.

Living Right in God's Eyes — What God Sees Matters

Ultimately, good and evil are always “in the eyes of the LORD” and not up to human whim. If six billion people say something is right and God says it is evil, His opinion trumps theirs. His verdict is final. There is no appeal. It is not a democracy. God defines what is detestable (Deuteronomy 24:4).

Human standards of morality in the USA are progressively lower. They move toward using God’s gifts in ways He never intended. Many people think that is freedom. But it is the worst kind of slavery. God established boundaries so we could live an abundant life within them.

“In the eyes of the LORD” is found seventy-nine times in the NIV version of the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. Overwhelmingly, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD is associated with idolatry, which is giving ultimate devotion to something other than God.

Examples of Evil in God’s Sight

Things associated with doing evil in the eyes of the LORD include violating His covenant (Deuteronomy 17:2), serving other gods (Judges 2:11; 3:7), and forgetting God (Judges 3:7).

Forsaking Him and no longer serving Him (Judges 10:6), asking for a king (1 Samuel 12:17), and incomplete obedience (1 Samuel 15:19, 1 Kings 11:6).

Male shrine prostitutes (1 Kings 14:24). Child-sacrifice (2 Kings 16:3). Practicing divination, seeking omens, and consulting mediums and spiritists (2 Kings 21:6).

Shedding innocent blood (2 Kings 21:16), not humbling oneself to receive God’s word (2 Chronicles 36:12), and calling evil good (Malachi 2:17). 

Blessing for Obedience, Judgment for Defiance

Life will not go well for those who defy the LORD’s authority and do evil in His eyes. By contrast, it will go well for those who do what is right and good in the eyes of the LORD (Deuteronomy 12:25, 28). That includes completely obeying Him (1 Kings 15:5) and doing it wholeheartedly (2 Chronicles 25:2).

We can label good what God calls evil and justify our actions. We can behave as if God does not exist. The consequences are inevitable, even if they are delayed. The Judge of all the earth will weigh every idle word (Matthew 12:36).

Everyone Will Face God’s Verdict

We will have to give an account for all of them. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV). 

Only One Opinion Matters

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3 KJV). Living right in God's eyes is what counts. Only His verdict matters. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

      1.  Four problematic quotes from Cuomo and his attorney today | CNN

2.  Pew Research study explores morality and religious beliefs - Deseret News

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)