Vanishing Values: When Everyone Does What Is Right in Their Own Eyes

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 17:6; 21:25

The book of Judges ends with a haunting refrain—one that echoes far beyond ancient Israel: "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This was not just a statement about the absence of a king, but a sobering reflection on the rejection of God's rule. Israel had turned away from God, and the result was a nation spiraling into spiritual anarchy and moral decay.

A People Without Values

During the fifty years following Joshua's leadership, Israel's values began to decline. Despite Joshua's solemn warnings, the people strayed into idolatry and self-will. Micah’s story in Judges 17 is a snapshot of this decline—he steals from his mother, builds a house of gods, and establishes a false religion. His mother condones and funds his idolatry instead of correcting him. What began as a single sin turned into generational spiritual corruption.

The Ripple Effect of Compromise

The problem wasn’t just Micah—it was the culture. Parents overlooked their children's sins, and false doctrine found fertile ground to grow. The tribe of Dan adopted Micah’s idolatry, and soon it spread across Israel. As values vanished, immorality increased. Judges 19–21 tells of horrific abuse, betrayal, and civil war—all consequences of doing what seemed right in man’s eyes rather than God’s.

The Danger in the Church Today

This isn't just ancient history—it’s a modern warning. When the Church begins to excuse sin in the name of preserving comfort, status, or relationships, its values start to erode. Issues like divorce, immorality, and doctrinal error often stem from an unwillingness to call sin what it is, especially when loved ones are involved.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 paints a picture of believers in the last days who "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof." Their lives are full of self-will, pride, and rebellion. They may appear religious, but they lack true submission to God's authority.

Hold Fast to Lasting Values

The antidote to vanishing values is steadfast allegiance to the Word of God. We must train our children to honor parents, revere God, and pursue truth. We must not sweep sin under the rug, but deal with it in love and truth. And above all, we must never find satisfaction in the fall of a brother or sister—our hearts should weep for their restoration, not their departure.

Now more than ever, we must return to what is right in God’s eyes—not our own.