Josh McDowell has written a book titled Right From Wrong. In it he reveals
a study shows that 57% of our young people can’t tell you if an objective
standard for right or wrong even exists. That means a majority of kids today
don’t know what “wrong” is. The younger generation for the
most part has lost its belief in values and morality. This comes from the doctrines
of our society: relativism and deconstructionism. Both are dangerous doctrines.
Relativism teaches that there is NO absolute truth. Deconstructionism teaches
that there is NO objective meaning to what is written; i.e. what has happened
in the past has NO significance today. Both doctrines are rampant in our colleges
and universities. You might take note that both doctrines make the Bible an
outdated book.
The Bible is a book about what is right and what is wrong. It is full of truth.
Paul said, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;...
“ (Romans 3:4). Jesus said in a prayer to the Father, “Sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). It is wrong to
believe that truth cannot be found nor understood. Jesus said, “And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
What our young people need to be taught today is a lot more truth and a lot
less foolishness. The professors have undermined their trust in parents, government,
and God. A lot can be learned from the past. A lot can be learned from the elderly.
A lot can be learned from the greatest book ever written, the Bible. We must
note that “right” and “wrong” are also called “good”
and “evil” in the Bible. Some might ask, “Is it possible for
man to know right from wrong?” The Bible says, “Yes.” Take
note, “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us,
to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of
the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever” (Genesis 3:22). God made
man such a creature as to be able to discern good from evil. Children (in fact
each new generation) must be taught right from wrong. Each generation needs
to learn to fear God and to keep His commandments. Solomon said, “Let
us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments:
for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
The proper standard for right and wrong is God’s word, the Bible, “....Gather
me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn
to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may
teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:10). Note that this standard must
also be taught to the children. God warned, “And these words, which I
command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: {7} And thou shalt teach them
diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when
thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6- 7). Notice the urgency: diligently,
in the house, while walking, while lying down and when you get up; in other
words, any time we are with our children we are to be in a teaching mode. And
that which we must teach are the words of God and His definitions of good and
evil. Also, we might note that grandparents have a grave responsibility to teach
grandchildren. Then, if one generation (their parents) were not taught, at least
the next generation will be taught and only one generation is lost. Why is the
present generation so ignorant of right and wrong? Because the Bible and its
principles has all but been removed from our society. It has been removed from
the school. In fact our Supreme Court has virtually made it unlawful to even
mention Jehovah God in our schools. The principles of God’s law have been
overrun by the allowance of gambling, (lotteries, horse and dog racing, etc.);
drunkenness (legal sale of most alcoholic beverages, etc.), fleshly lust (movies,
nightclubs, adult book stores and video stores, etc.) and virtually any other
kind of vice that man can imagine. Not only that, but our children are shown
advertisements that make these vices seem so pleasant and enjoyable.
No wonder they stay so confused. Reality would suggest that some things are
wrong, but society, mother, and daddy enjoy all of these vices, so what could
be wrong with anything that dear mother and daddy would do. God help us that
our young people have the opportunity to hear the instruction of David, “Come,
ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. {12} What
man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? {13}
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. {14} Depart from
evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalms 34:11-14).
—John D. Cotham
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