As we look at the world around us—its behavior, attitudes, and the decisions people make—it’s hard not to ask questions. Sometimes those questions come quietly. Other times, they rise with frustration. And if we’re being honest, one thought often surfaces above the rest: what is going on with people?
It’s a question many of us ask more often than we’d like to admit. We see division, confusion, and choices that don’t seem to make sense. But the moment we express that question out loud, it’s often met with resistance. People may respond by asking who we think we are, or whether we believe we have some kind of moral authority.
That question is fair. And the answer matters more than the question itself.
For a believer, the answer is not rooted in personal opinion or a sense of superiority. Our moral compass does not come from ourselves. It comes from God—through His Word and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Scripture speaks to this clearly, reminding us that God teaches and guides those who follow Him:
“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost… shall teach you all things.” — John 14:26
When someone truly surrenders their life to Christ, something begins to change internally. It’s not about becoming better than others—it’s about seeing more clearly. The way we understand right and wrong begins to shift. Truth becomes more defined. Things that once seemed normal or acceptable begin to stand out differently.
This kind of transformation often creates tension. It changes how we view the world, and that new perspective doesn’t always align with the culture around us. One of the most common responses to that tension is the statement: “Didn’t Jesus say not to judge?”
Jesus did say, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). But that statement is often taken out of context. He was not telling us to ignore truth or pretend that everything is acceptable. He was warning against hypocrisy—holding others to a standard that we are unwilling to apply to ourselves.
In fact, just a few verses later, Jesus says:
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16
That requires discernment. It requires observation, awareness, and the ability to recognize what aligns with truth and what does not.
There is an important distinction here. Judgment condemns a person. Discernment recognizes what is true. Scripture actually encourages this kind of discernment:
“He that is spiritual judgeth all things…” — 1 Corinthians 2:15
Without it, we would have no way to navigate right and wrong. We would simply drift with whatever feels right in the moment.
A simple example helps clarify this. If someone is speeding down the highway, they are breaking the law. Acknowledging that fact does not mean you hate the person—it means you recognize reality. The same principle applies spiritually. Recognizing sin is not about condemning people; it is about acknowledging truth.
And truth does not change based on belief.
Just because someone chooses not to believe in God’s standards does not make those standards disappear. Scripture makes this clear:
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23
Truth is not determined by culture, popular opinion, or political identity. It is determined by God.
When we ask what is wrong with people, Scripture actually gives us an answer. It points us to the condition of the human heart:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” — Jeremiah 17:9
Without Christ, the human heart is easily led astray. It follows emotion, seeks comfort, and gravitates toward what feels right rather than what is right. This is why there are so many conflicting beliefs in the world today. People align themselves with ideas, movements, and identities that provide a sense of belonging. And when enough people agree on something, it begins to feel like truth—even when it is not.
But Scripture warns us about this very tendency:
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
This is where the difference between feeling and truth becomes critical.
Jesus addressed this directly when He said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” — John 14:6
Not a version of truth. Not one option among many. The truth.
When truth is rejected, confusion naturally follows. Division increases, and the world begins to feel unstable. But that instability is not coming from God:
“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33
When we try to navigate life without Him, things become complicated. We attempt to control outcomes, define our own standards, and make sense of everything through our own understanding. But when we surrender that control and allow God to lead, something begins to change.
Peace replaces anxiety. Clarity begins to take shape.
“The peace of God… shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7
This doesn’t mean life becomes perfect or easy. Following Christ is not about instant perfection. It is about steady growth.
“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18
Each day becomes an opportunity to seek Him, to learn, and to align our lives more closely with His truth. It requires discipline, humility, faith, and consistency. It is not always the easiest path, but it is the one that leads to clarity.
And over time, something remarkable begins to happen. The world around you may not change—but your perspective does. What once felt confusing begins to make sense. Not because everything has been resolved, but because you are no longer relying on shifting standards.
You are anchored in truth.
💭 Reflection
- Am I reacting to the world—or viewing it through God’s truth?
- Do I practice discernment, or avoid it?
- What is shaping my understanding of right and wrong?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, give me wisdom to see the world through Your truth. Help me discern what is right without becoming prideful or judgmental. Guard my heart from confusion and guide my thoughts with Your Word. Teach me to walk in humility, truth, and love as I follow You daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Jeffrey Trester
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