What’s the Big Idea?

I’ve always believed ethics and morality were kind of the whole point of the Bible, reading it gives us a blueprint to follow. Doing what’s right and good is kind of the idea. Morality isn’t about how you feel or what makes sense in the moment—it’s about reflecting God’s holiness. Leviticus 19:2 lays it out:

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
Leviticus 19:2 (NASB)

Sounds simple, but try applying that to a frustrating tax return or a heated Facebook argument.

The modern world, with its hashtags and loopholes, doesn’t always make walking in righteousness feel practical. In fact, it often makes it awkward. But Christian ethics insists that the road less traveled (even when it’s full of potholes) is the one worth taking.

The Biblical Blueprint

Here’s a quick scriptural map to morality, as laid out in the NASB:

“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 (NASB)

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Modern Ethical and Moral Challenges

Let’s face it: life today is a moral minefield. Today, we’re faced with so many moral challenges it can be hard to figure out what to stay away from, and how to figure out what influences are good, and which are so bad they take us away from God.

Social Media Wars

Do we really always need to defend the truth? I’ve always believed joining a pointless argument is a path to frustration. (See Proverbs 15:1 for advice on keeping things calm.)

Corporate Ethics

Should you be doing something wrong just because your boss says to? Or because it will make you more money? I think the answer is no. (Proverbs 21:6: “The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor.”)

AI and Technology

AI is great, but should you always trust it – or any computer to be a guide for your moral compass? If your ethics depend on algorithms, it’s time to revisit God’s unchanging standards.

Some Different Beliefs on the Morals of a Christian

Not all of us approach morals the same way, let’s unpack the variety:

1. Traditionalists: Focus on God’s commandments. Rules matter, even if they’re unpopular. It’s almost like fire-and-brimstone meets timeless wisdom.
2. Progressives: Context matters a lot. While God’s principles remain firm, how they apply evolves with society. This can sometimes lead to disagreements on interpreting what the bible tells us.
3. Mystics: Ethics is about imitating Christ’s love and compassion. Forget the rulebook; WWJD is the mantra.
4. Legalists: Like the name implies, you’ve got to follow the letter of the law. Just don’t forget Jesus’ warnings to the Pharisees about missing the heart of the matter.

The World We Find Ourselves In vs. Christ

Living righteously doesn’t mean living isolated. Christians are in the world but not of it (John 17:16). A good trick is knowing when to stand ground and when to change your mode.

Business Practices

Reject dishonesty, even when it costs profits or gets us into a little bit of trouble with our boss – God’s got us covered.

Relationships

Forgiveness, as hard as it can be sometimes, is always a priority (Matthew 18:21-22).

Entertainment Choices

Ask yourself if whatever type of content you consume aligns with the following:

“Whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable… dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Practical Steps to Stay Grounded

1. Daily Scripture Reading: Keeps you aligned with God’s standards, not Netflix’s.
2. Community: Surround yourself with people who encourage and live with the values that we as Christians value the most.
3. Prayer for Wisdom: Let’s be honest—most moral dilemmas feel like tightropes. God’s guidance is essential.
4. Grace: Remember that righteousness isn’t about perfection but direction. You’re not going to nail it every time, and that’s okay.

It’s Always Hard to Figure it Out

Maintaining moral and ethical high ground can be like trying to put together an all-black puzzle. It’s awkward and sometimes painful, but worth it. The Bible isn’t asking you to be flawless—it’s asking you to strive. At its core, Christian morality isn’t about checking boxes but living in a way that mirrors Christ, even when the reflection feels foggy.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright ©, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org