What steps can we take to prevent moral decay, as depicted in Judges 20:6? Setting the Scene “Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed this wickedness and outrageous act in Israel.” (Judges 20:6) The grisly message exposed a nation that had drifted so far from God that the unthinkable had become normal. Scripture presents the event as literal history and a solemn warning. Warning Lights of Decay • Rejection of God’s authority (Judges 21:25) • Breakdown of family and community restraint (Judges 19:22–26) • Passive leadership that fails to confront sin (Judges 20:12–13) When these elements combine, moral collapse follows swiftly. Steps to Prevent Moral Decay 1. Anchor everything in God’s Word • Daily reading and meditation (Psalm 119:11) • Whole-life obedience, not selective listening (James 1:22) • Teach it diligently to the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:6–7) 2. Cultivate godly leadership and accountability • Elders and parents who model holiness (1 Timothy 4:12) • Transparent relationships that correct and restore (Galatians 6:1) • Swift, righteous action when evil surfaces (Ephesians 5:11) 3. Guard the covenant of marriage and sexual purity • Honor marriage as God’s design (Hebrews 13:4) • Flee sexual immorality, pursue sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5) • Protect the vulnerable; refuse to tolerate exploitation (Proverbs 24:11–12) 4. Strengthen community justice and compassion • Impartial courts and honest judgments (Deuteronomy 16:18–20) • Care for the wounded rather than covering up crimes (Isaiah 1:17) • Restore offenders who repent, maintaining both grace and truth (John 1:14) 5. Seek continual revival, not occasional remorse • Humble confession and repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14) • Corporate worship that exalts God above personal preference (Psalm 95:6) • Spirit-filled living that bears visible fruit (Galatians 5:22–23) 6. Surround yourself with godly influences • Choose companions who spur love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) • Recognize that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33) • Engage culture with truth rather than absorbing its corruption (Romans 12:2) Living It Out Together Persistent, intentional commitment to these steps builds a community where outrage at sin does not have to be mailed in bloody fragments but is replaced by hearts eager to honor the Lord. |
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