Morality — Isn’t it Obvious?

All moral truth is obvious, particularly the more a person develops discernment or wisdom. For instance, I wrote a book about forgiveness and it goes into a lot of detail in its 256 pages but, generally speaking, all the truths conveyed in it are obvious if one simply reflects on any of the many issues. It’s really all just common sense. Truth is simple, but worldly culture and religion unnecessarily complicate it.

Consider this moral conundrum: A married man meets a comely woman on the job who conveys interest. Should he commit adultery with her or not? You don’t have to be a Christian or know any passage in the Bible to know that it’s wrong. Why? Because it’s wrong to be unfaithful to one’s spouse. Or take homosexuality, a hot topic today. Is it right or wrong? It’s a matter of being honest about the obvious facts of reality, such as the glaring alignment of male and female sex organs — ‘Tab A’ fits into ‘Slot B.’ It’s common sense and you don’t need the Bible to tell you one way or another.

Moral truth is obvious because we all instinctively know the difference between good and evil due to conscience (Romans 2:15). So why do people rebel against this inherent moral code? Paul explained it this way: “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18). You see? They harden themselves to the voice of their conscience to the point that they no longer even realize moral common sense.

This is why the moral law, as detailed in the Scriptures, is necessary. It reveals right from wrong for us so that there’s no doubt. Say if a brother or sister in the Lord offends you or is walking in sin and you need to correct them. You can show them through God’s Word that their behavior or attitude is wrong and hopefully they’ll repent, i.e. change for the positive. This is why we need the moral law, but it doesn’t change the fact that moral truth is obvious.

Consider belief in God. Why are atheists so mad about someone they don’t even believe exists? Why don’t they get all irate in denouncing, say, Bigfoot or leprechauns? Because they know Bigfoot and leprechauns don’t exist. But they know deep down inside that the Almighty exists and they have to get all worked up to deny it.

If moral truth is obvious to unbelievers, as long as they don’t harden their hearts, how much more so the re-born believer who’s in spiritual union with his/her Creator? (Titus 3:5). We just have to open our eyes and look beyond the false indoctrination of secular and religious culture, which is what being transformed by the renewing of the mind is all about (Romans 12:2).

Yes, all moral truth is obvious. Think about it.

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The Basics of Christianity