The Moral Breakdown of Our Society

American society used to be based upon biblical principles. Today, it has not only moved away from that godly foundation, but biblical values are under direct attack. There is a satanic plot to undermine our heritage and to destroy the biblical morality of our nation. This is seen in the headlines of the news.

Shortly after his inauguration, President Obama began to call for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act – a law defining marriage as between one man and one woman. He immediately nominated pro-homosexual advocates to key government positions, and extended government benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. He declared June to be “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month,” but refused to observe the National Day of Prayer.

In April 2009, in Ankara, Turkey, U.S. President Barak Obama said America is no longer a Christian nation, but “a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.” Sadly, he’s right. But when we divorce our values and ideals from the Word of God and the eternal principles of godliness, then they are based only on the whims of fallen, degenerate man. What we perceive in our own minds to be right and just, may be wrong and unjust when compared to the standard of the Bible. How does our society measure right and wrong when we compare it to no fixed standard? Homosexuality used to be wrong but not anymore. Gay marriage used to be abominable, but now is enshrined with legal sanction. Adultery formerly merited condemnation; now it is overlooked – in governors, even presidents. Divorce, and especially multiple divorces, was once considered a shame; now it is accepted as normal.

Our country was once tremendously blessed because our values were originally derived from biblical principles. Now our values are not fixed; they are flexible and are based only on human opinion. Yes, we are no longer a Christian nation. Our president spoke the truth in Turkey. An article in the April 10, 2009 issue of Human Events referred to a recent Newsweek public opinion poll which found that 62% of Americans do not think of America as a Christian nation. That is approaching a 2/3 majority. Yet Psalms 9:17 says that the nations that forget God will be turned into hell.

All you have to do is to look around. The moral fabric of our society is frayed. Most people do not realize it, but our society is not wholesome. It is not a good environment to raise children. Our young people are constantly bombarded with the message that non-marital sex is fun and healthy; that immoral lifestyles are not only acceptable, but equal to or better than biblical families; that material gain and pleasure are the only important goals in life.

Divorce, sex outside of marriage between a man and woman, excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, uncontrolled spending and spiraling debt, and disregard for all forms of authority are rampant. Lazy and irresponsible children are growing up into lazy and irresponsible adults. The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 13:11 said that when he became a man, he put away childish things. People aren’t doing that in our society. Adults spend money they cannot afford to buy themselves toys.

Rather than just go on a tirade about the moral breakdown of our society, I’d like to point out how we got here. There are numerous factors that led to the breakdown. Maybe if we understand them, we can be alert to prevent them from entering into our culture. American society is abandoning biblical morality at an ever-increasing speed. How did this happen? What factors led to this condition? There are several.

1. A Massive Shift of Cultural, Personal, and Sexual Values.

An earthquake occurs when there is a shift in the tectonic plates beneath the earth’s surface. But modern dictionaries say that a secondary definition of earthquake is a disruptive event; an event that causes an upheaval in society, politics, or somebody’s life. Our society suffered a massive cultural earthquake beginning in the mid-1960s. A generation came on the scene that was very different from the preceding generations that grew up in the 1940s or the 1950s. This new generation felt they needed to challenge everything, to question authority, to glory in personal choice. Self-fulfillment became more important than sacrifice. In fact, society devalued self-sacrifice, restraint, authority figures, etc.

Examples abound, but I cannot take the time to list them. Our society fulfilled Isaiah 53:6; we have all turned after our own ways. In changing the mores and morals of our world, we have removed the ancient landmarks. See Proverbs 22:28. Some do that. See Job 24:2. Because we are living in the last days, it should be no surprise that Paul’s prophecy in II Timothy 3:2 has come to pass. People today are lovers of their own selves. But in the Body of Christ we don’t live that philosophy. Romans 15:1 teaches us that we ought not to please ourselves.

Perhaps one of the worst aspects of our society is the damnable attitude that exists. An attitude of rebellion is prevalent in our society. You see it in the very clothing and piercings and tattooing of the world. You see it in their approach to life. Rebellion against authority is prevalent in the present, evil world. Remember that your attitude is the determining factor in the blessings of God on your life – both now and in the coming millennial kingdom.

There are other wrong attitudes in society. First, there is the “I don’t care” attitude. This was Cain’s attitude about murder. When asked about his brother, he basically said “I don’t know and I don’t care.” He did know; but he didn’t care. This attitude is seen when people hear what the Bible says about how they should live their lives, how they should dress, how they should act, and they deliberately decide to ignore God’s Word. “I don’t care what the preacher says; this is what I am going to do!” Four times in Exodus, and three times in Deuteronomy, the Lord through Moses called the children of Israel “stiffnecked.” That is, they would not bow their heads to God. They did not acknowledge His lordship. They knew the commandments, but they chose not to obey. In II Chronicles 30:8, Hezekiah was told: don’t be stiffnecked, but yield.

Second, there is the “it’s just a matter of opinion” attitude. This denies that there is any real difference between truth and falsehood. Everything is relative. One man’s truth is another man’s error. “Maybe it is wrong for you, but I don’t see anything wrong in it for me.” “What is true for you might not be true for me.” “If I don’t feel bad, it must not be wrong.” But Christian truth is objective, never-changing and unshakeable. The Bible says that homosexual conduct is sin. That is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of unchanging truth. Men should have short hair; women should have long hair. Men should dress in men’s apparel, and women should dress in women’s apparel. Those are not opinions. Your opinion or society’s opinion does not matter.

Malachi 3:6 states the eternal verity that God does not change. And in Deuteronomy 32:4, God is truth. Isaiah 65:16 twice calls Him a God of truth. Since God never changes, then truth never changes. Truth is not just a matter of opinion. And even if the issue is, somehow, a matter of opinion, you would still be better off if you submitted. If the pastor is wrong in preaching against lipstick, miniskirts or whatever, you would lose nothing by submitting. In fact, you would gain. Your meek and submissive spirit is something God will bless. It isn’t the end of the world if you don’t do something the pastor preaches against. Mere submission for the sake of crucifying your spirit is a good thing.

Finally, there is the “I’m too busy” attitude. This is when people think they are too busy to do right, to serve God, or to work for Him. We live in a very fast-paced, hectic world. But people always find time to do the things that are important to them. People who are too busy to come to church, or to work in the church departments, are really saying that these things are just not that important to them.

If you are too busy to spend time in prayer and meditation, if you are too busy to read your Bible daily, if you are too busy to help your brother or your sister, then you need to re-evaluate your life. How much time do you waste in front of a TV, or a computer, or with mindless games? If people would devote just half of that time to Bible reading and prayer, we’d have a greater church. The things you have to do always expand to fill all of your available time. Rare is the person who truly has disposable time on their hands. Most of us have to make time for the things that truly are necessary. Titus 3:14 proclaims we should be doing good works for necessary purposes. There are other rebellious attitudes that are wrong, but we need to move on.

2. The Development of Disposable Marriages

Our society has accepted polygamy. Men and women now can have multiple spouses – instead of several at once, we now have them one at a time. Divorce one spouse and marry another. It is serial polygamy. Divorce rates are now nearly 50% of all first-time marriages- higher for second, third, and fourth marriages. And born-again Christians have a divorce rate equal to or higher than the population at large.

People think nothing of divorce anymore. Yes, there are biblical grounds for divorce, but it is because of sin. Most divorces are not because of biblical grounds. Marriage is supposed to be a life-long covenant. People don’t see it that way anymore. They swear “till death do us part,” but they part whenever things don’t go well in the home. Since the mid-1960s, the divorce rate has more than doubled; out-of-wedlock births have skyrocketed from one in twenty to one in three; the percentage of single-parent homes has more than tripled; the number of couples cohabiting without marriage has increased more than elevenfold; and there is an increasing phenomenon of fathers deserting their wives and children without any negative consequences.

Divorce is a bad thing. In true abuse, or in a situation where there has been adultery, divorce may be the best option. But divorce just because you aren’t in love anymore is not biblical. Here are six reasons why I am against the concept of disposable marriages:

• A. God hates divorce. Malachi 2:16. That, my friends, is truth.
• B. You are breaking a solemn vow you made before God and human witnesses. The Bible forbids us breaking any vow – especially one made before God. Ecclesiastes 5:4.
• C. It doesn’t bring happiness. In general, people who divorce and remarry are no happier than they were in their first marriage. The divorce rate for second marriages is higher than for first marriages.
• D. Divorce is hard on both spouses; but especially hard on the wife. Almost all divorced women have a lower standard of living than they had while married.
• E. Most couples would be better off if they stayed married. Studies have shown that 86% of couples who decided to “stick it out” rather than divorce were happy that they did so after five years. Nearly 75% of them went from “very unhappy” to “very happy” with their marriage in the same time frame. Permanent marital unhappiness is very rare among couples who decide to stay together.
• F. Divorce is very hard on the children. In divorce, adults put their own needs and happiness above the needs of their minor children. No self-sacrifice for others. The immature children need a mom and a dad. Single parent homes are not better. Step-parents rarely are better parents than the natural parents.
  This generation, perhaps more than any other in history, has eyes full of adultery. II Peter 2:14. But Proverbs 5:15-18 says you can and should be satisfied with the spouse God gave you. Jesus told us in Matthew 19:6 that God has joined them together. The Apostle Paul commands in I Corinthians 7:10-11: don’t depart from your spouse.

3. Feminism and the Sexual Revolution

The feminist movement and the sexual revolution are a deliberate attack on the nuclear family. It is a satanic attempt to overthrow God’s order. God’s Word says in I Corinthians 11:3 that the husband is the head of the wife. Ephesians 5:23-25 describes a godly home. The feminist agenda has done some good, and provided some equality in areas where the disparity was unjust. But overall, the program has undermined God’s plan for the family home.

The sexual revolution has destroyed more marriages than any other movement in the history of mankind. Adultery and fornication are rampant in our society. The sanctity of marriage is flaunted. Television, fashion designers, advertising and other image-makers glorify sexuality. II Pet 2:14 (again). Perhaps more than any other society before ours, we have eyes full of adultery. Provocative clothing is designed to incite lusts. Women now actually dress in certain ways to display their bodies and cause men to lust after them. But Jesus taught in Matthew 5:28, if you look to lust, you have already committed adultery in your heart. Formerly, prostitutes dressed in a way that identified them. See Proverbs 7:10. But today, lust-inciting attire is no longer just worn by harlots.

Modern society has movies, magazines and websites designed to foster adultery in the heart. We live in a lust-driven world. Today, mankind can commit “virtual adultery.” A man and woman can commit adultery over the phone. Worse yet, a man can commit adultery over a digital image. It isn’t real, it is merely pixels of light, but a man lusts after that electronic image.

Not all adultery and fornication is confined to the hearts. This society is promiscuous. Adultery in the heart is not far from adultery in the flesh. The Decalogue says, thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14. Sex outside of marriage is wrong and dangerous. Proverbs 6:24-29. We cannot allow this perverseness to enter the church. Pornography and adultery are sins, and are never right. You cannot ever justify such conduct. Don’t let the devil try to do so. The human mind has an amazing ability to convince itself that something is not wrong – when we know it really is. But there is never any justification for sin.

Sisters, please don’t dress in provocative ways. This includes clothes that cover enough, but are so tight as to leave little to the imagination. What does this say about you if you have a carnal desire to excite men, or if you are not smart enough to know that your attire does excite men.

4. Two-Wage Earner Families

In our affluent society, it is hard to get by without two incomes. Mom needs to work outside the home to pay for the second car, the frequent vacations, the fancy clothes, and the house that is more than Dad can afford on his own. Credit card debt is so high that if Mom didn’t work, bankruptcy would be the only option.

But it shouldn’t be this way. Mom should not be working outside the home when her children are small. Daycare, even babysitting by relatives, is not as good as having Mom there to love and care for her small children. I Timothy 5:14 says that young women are to marry, bear children and guide the home. It is not wrong to have more money; but it is wrong to be chasing more money at the cost of neglecting duties in the home. A woman who has her own career, her own income, her financial independence, oftentimes is tempted to be unsubmissive to her husband. After all, if the wife brings in half of the income, she feels she can control how it is spent. I don’t mean that wives are doormats and the husband is the dictator. But a wife who is the boss on the job is often tempted to be the boss at home. There are a host of temptations and problems resulting from the two-earner home.

The circumstances may be different for a couple with no children, although there was a time when the wife stayed home, even if she wasn’t a mom. She then had time to come over to church and clean, to pray, to keep the house, to volunteer in church or civic activities. But generally, there is nothing wrong with married wives with no small children at home to be working. The concern is the trend in society for moms with kids to be employed outside the home full time. This produces latch-key children, kids raised in day-care, and a lack of the close family unit that God intended.

Perhaps, if her children are in school, she could work “mother’s hours”, but she should be there in the home when the children are home. Years ago, parents began relying on the one-eyed babysitter – the TV. Today it has been supplemented by the internet, video games and cell phone – all to the detriment of the young minds that are in need of being molded into godliness.

Parents can give their children expensive gifts, and they do. Most modern children have so many toys that you can’t walk through their rooms. Were children any less happy and fulfilled years ago when they had only a few toys? But the most important thing a parent can give children is time. Time working together, talking together and playing together is far more valuable than expensive toys and gadgets. Too many children are left to themselves. Proverbs 29:15 warns that they will bring shame to their parents. Read Proverbs 31 if you want to see the ideal setting for the home.

5. Single-Parent Homes

Of course, a single parent home is sometimes unavoidable. Sometimes a spouse dies; other times there is a genuine biblical basis for a divorce. But this situation is never ideal. The rapidly increasing number of single parent homes has helped to undermine the moral foundation of our society. Beyond any reasonable question, it is better to have both mom and dad in the home.

Paul’s writings in Colossians 3:18-21 shows that a family includes mom, dad, and the children. Proverbs 1:8 demonstrates that children need instruction and discipline from both parents. Adam said in Genesis 2:24 that the husband is to cleave to the wife. The Hebrew word is dabaq, meaning to cling or adhere to each other.

In the last 35 years, the number of independent female households has increased by 65%. In the same time, the number of independent male households has increased by 120%. Many of these homes involve a mother trying to raise a family. She has to function as both parents because the father is not around, or only sees his children on scheduled visitations.

Sometimes it is a single dad, but most single parent homes do not have a father. Children grow up without a proper male role model. Children in those homes frequently have problems upon reaching adulthood. They don’t know how to love a spouse, because they haven’t seen their parent love a spouse. Divorce puts the children in the awkward position of pawns in a power play between parents who no longer love each other. Children of divorce often blame themselves for their parents’ failures. You can survive with one parent, just as you can survive with one leg or with one arm, but it is better to have both.

6. The Mass Media

The news agencies – newspapers, the network news, magazines, CNN, and so many others do not just report facts. They shape the consciousness of our society. Most news agencies have determined that conservative Christianity is a threat, that abortion is right, that homosexuality is acceptable, and they are working to inculcate that mindset into society. Movies, TV, blogsites and more are actually changing the views and values of the American society. The media have extraordinary power to alter attitudes and to shape moral sensibilities. Biased in favor of extreme liberal causes, the news and entertainment industry is re-forming this nation it its own image. In Numbers 13:32, reporters brought an evil report and influenced public opinion.

But I am not just talking about newspapers and CNN. I include the music industry here. I know every older generation has condemned the music of the younger generation – it has happened for decades. But nonetheless, the modern music industry promotes filthy language, advocates meaningless sex and violence, and contains counter-pulsating rhythms and beats that promote sensuality and nervous agitation.

The entertainment industry, those prolific producers of TV shows and movies, are re-shaping society. Cohabitation by unmarried couples is presented as normal and acceptable on the large and small screen. The playboy lifestyle is shown to be glamorous and desirable. Graphic violence, nudity, false realities and mind-numbing inane comedies are the daily fare of most Americans. Sure, everybody loves Raymond, but do we want our children growing up thinking Dad is a bumbling idiot, while Mom is the only sensible one in the family?

What effect are video games having? Yes, I know you can play non-violent games like golf and basketball. But how much exercise do you get? We are turning into a nation of couch potatoes with excellent range of motion in our thumbs. And many video games glorify violence, murder, mayhem, and fantasies that are far removed from real life.

7. Addictive Behaviors and Substances

People in today’s society are addicted to all kinds of substances: alcohol, drugs, porn, energy drinks, coffee, etc. Alcohol addiction was present throughout history. Noah got drunk after seeing the devastating effects of the Flood. Proverbs 20:1 says that wine is a mocker, and deceptive. When you are addicted to something, you are the slave and the habit is the master. It is that way with cigarettes, with alcohol, with pornography, with anything.

In I Corinthians 6:12, Paul said he refused to be brought under the power of anything. We are to be submitted slaves of God. No habit should be our master. We have a Master in heaven. No one can serve two masters.

8. The Blurring of the Distinction between the Sexes

From the beginning, God intended a separation between men and women. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Modern society, however, is constantly blurring the distinction between the sexes – something that has never been done at any time in history. Now, women make up a very important part of our military. Historically, this was not the case. There are women professional wrestlers, etc. It is hard to think of any job that is a man’s job, or one that is a woman’s job.

Today there is little difference in the clothes of men and women. A woman’s pants look much like a man’s pants. Women might wear different colored pants, but the basic shape is the same. Today there is often very little difference in hairstyles. Many times you cannot tell if a person is a man or a woman just by the length of their hair. And you cannot always tell by their actions. There are effeminate men and masculine women. It has not been this way at any point in human history. And of course, for the first time in American history, several American states now recognize homosexual marriage.

What does the Bible say? Deuteronomy 22:5 requires a distinction between the sexes based upon apparel. I Corinthians 11:14-15 requires a distinction based upon hair length. And I Corinthians 6:9 requires a distinction based upon masculine/effeminate actions.

9. Godless Public Education

In the early 1960s, the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed prayer, and then Bible-reading in the public schools. Since that time, it seems that the public school system has become the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Public morality has been undermined by the teaching of sex education, the promotion of homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle, the faith-destroying theory of evolution, and more. Public schools have been used to indoctrinate the children of America in godless attitudes, and the results have not been good.

Compare the attitudes, generally, of high school graduates from the 1950s and mid-1960s to those of today. Which group was more polite? Which was more respectful of the person and property of others? Which has more faith? Which has more drug problems, teenaged alcohol consumption, and unmarried sex? Public education has produced the type of generation that is soundly condemned in Proverbs 30:11-14.

The Christian school movement, and home schooling for those parents who can’t afford a Christian school, arose in response to the godlessness of public education. Children need a good education to survive in this society. Throughout history, schools were established to provide education. David wrote in Psalms 119 that he had more understanding than all his teachers. Paul wrote of tutors and governors. Jesus likely went to school at the synagogue in Nazareth. Churches established the first schools in America.

Public education started as a benefactor to parents over 100 years ago. The government taxed parents to pay for teachers and buildings. It all seemed so good at first, but the lamb-like system grew up to be a dragon. Now it devours children, and warps them into young adults who have been indoctrinated into pre-determined thought patterns.

10. An Extraordinarily Affluent Society

Our society has been affected by our extraordinary affluence. The poorest among us is profoundly rich by the standard of history. Kings of old could not imagine the luxury of electricity, running water, refrigerators, microwaves, full pantries, central heat and air conditioning, modern healthcare, and such. The possession of “things” is the modern panacea. Americans tend to believe that owning more goods and toys is the sure route to happiness. But there are dangers.

Deuteronomy 6:10-13 provides a warning of the danger of prosperity; you might forget God. See also Deuteronomy 8:7-14 and Proverbs 30:8-9. Our Savior taught that life does not consist of possessions. Luke 12:15. James 4:2-4 says, don’t seek things to consume in your fleshly desires.

Covetousness is a violation of the Tenth Commandment. But covetousness can creep into the church. I Timothy 6:5-6 declares that gain is not godliness. Ecclesiastes 4:6 establishes the truth that little, with peace, is better than lots, with trouble. “Things” will not satisfy. Ecclesiastes 5:10. Acquisitions, devices, gadgets, fine clothes, homes and cars will not give peace of mind. True peace only comes through your relationship with the Prince of Peace.

11. Narcissism

This is a “me” generation. Christians need to be reminded that life is not all about us; instead it is all about Jesus Christ. He is the Master; we are the servants. We are not to be the center of our own universe. But the perverseness of our society centers on pleasing ourselves.

In Greek mythology, Narcissus was the stunningly handsome son of a river goddess who fell hopelessly in love with his own beautiful face as he saw it reflected in a pool. As he gazed in fascination, unable to remove himself from his image, he gradually pined away until he starved to death. Since then, a person in love with himself has been called a Narcissist.

II Timothy 3:2 warns that in the last days, men shall be lovers of their own selves. They will be narcissists. This world is very narcissistic. It has undermined the moral fabric of society. Self-sacrifice is not considered a virtue. Everybody is out for themselves. No one sacrifices for the good of others. Even parents draw back from sacrificing for the good of their children. Spouses won’t sacrifice for the good of the marriage. “What’s in it for me” is the mantra of the modern generation. This is seen even in all the blogging, twitter, etc. People cannot stop talking about themselves. They want everyone to know all about them and their lives. I realize blogging and twitter can be used for noble purposes, and I am not condemning that. I am against the narcissistic idea that everybody needs to know what you are doing all the time.

There is so much idolatry in our world. That idea may seem strange, but modern society is full of idolatry. Maybe we don’t worship statues and pagan deities, but we might think we are cool, popular, or acceptable, if we wear certain designer labels on our clothes. Movie heroes, sports stars, and even dead saints like Michael Jackson are the idols of the current world. Colossians 3:5 says that self-centeredness is idolatry. This generation is probably the most self-centered society the world has ever seen. Such a focus on ourselves, not caring about others, is a form of idolatry.

Charity cares for others; self-love (narcissism) is all about gratifying our own desires. Our society’s massive personal debt is a testimony to self-obsession. We buy what we cannot afford, because we want it and we are unable to deny ourselves. The billions spent each year on cosmetics, designer clothing, entertainment, and other nonessentials is further proof of our self-obsessed age. We have become as self-obsessed as Nabal. See I Samuel 25:11.

Remember, it is not all about you; it is all about Him. If you approach life with a “what’s in it for me?” attitude, you will never find the peace and contentment you are looking for. Satan offered the crown without the cross to Jesus. Jesus wisely rejected the offer. Anyone who expects blessings without suffering is falling to the devil’s tactics. But if we suffer for Him, we will reign with Him. II Timothy 2:12. Our greatest blessings come through service. Peace is not found in things; but true contentment comes from being useful and helpful. Galatians 5:13 says, by love, serve one another.

12. Rebellious Independence/ Individualism

It seems that no one wants to “bend and blend” anymore. Especially among the younger generation, blending is not cool; standing out as an individual is much more cool. People are unwilling to compromise (which can be good or can be bad). They do not want to change. They are convinced that they are ok as they are, and refuse to believe they really need to make significant changes in their lives and their world-view. Like the evil people mentioned in Psalms 55:19, they have no changes.

For many years, adults have been worried that young Christians would stray from the straight and narrow path because of “peer pressure”. That’s not as big of an issue with the emergent generation (those under 30 years of age). They are relatively immune to peer pressure – for good or evil. Their psyche tells them its ok to be different. It’s cool to stand out. Nobody has the right to influence you to dress or to act in a certain way.

There is a certain obstinacy that has been embraced by society. We honor those who go against the norm, who march to the beat of a different drummer. People make an individualistic statement by their lifestyle – how they dress, how they act, etc. You see it in multiple tattoos and excessive body piercings. You see it in the Gothic dress and make-up of many young people, etc.

This individualism is not good. It goes too far. People are not willing to commit themselves to a goal, to build a dream, to further the work of the Lord. They aren’t even willing to commit to a marriage. The median age for a first marriage in 1970 was 21 years old for women and 23 years old for men. Today it is 26 for women and 28 for men – the highest it has been since the US Census Bureau was been keeping records.

People are already very individualistic and “set in their ways” by the time they get married. They promise till death do us part, but they aren’t committed. When trouble comes, as it always does in marriage, they cut and run. Space limitations forbid the quoting of many scriptures, but this attitude is damaging. We need to lose our independence because we are forming a body. Romans 10:12 says, in honor, preferring one another. And I Corinthians 12:12 speaks of many members; but only one body.

We are not to succumb to the evils of the society around us. Israel did during the time of the judges and kings. The devil paints the world in vivid, enticing colors. But it is all an allusion. In reality, the world is dull and drab, and wicked and cruel. We must focus on serving the Lord.