When you come to the end of Judges, you read another of those sad statements. This one was about the downward spiral of Israelite faith and culture. The book ends in chapter twenty-five verse twenty-one with this statement: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
That is anarchy! American culture today encourages people to seek out their own truth. We often hear such pleasantries like “just follow our heart.” Well, you might want to check God’s word on that! Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.” Because the heart is tethered to the emotions, maybe you should just use your intellect. That might work IF we have a transformed mind. Romans 12:2 tells us that having a transformed mind is the only way to prove that which is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
We must walk in obedience to the word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Doing what is right in our own eyes, following an unredeemed heart and embracing our own reasoning might feel good initially, but it will ultimately put us on a path to ruin. God’s word tells us God’s truth. It is His guidebook for living. The heart can deceive you. Your mind will only provide you with the values, directions, and outcomes that you have poured into it.
Regardless of what everyone else is doing, read your Bible every day. Ruthlessly protect a time daily to get into God’s presence, to worship Him and hear His voice. Make yourself available to be used by Him. Then obey Him swiftly and completely. Remember! It is not about you. It is about living a life that shines and brings Glory to your Father in Heaven!
