In the history of the Israelites, there is a recurring desire to change government, as if such alterations could magically resolve all problems. This inclination reflects a carnal appeal to conform to the ways of the world, which God records as a pattern among His people. The notion of doing what is right in one's own eyes, rather than submitting to God's established order, manifests in efforts to reshape standards and guides for community life. This shift, observed in modern times within the United States, mirrors a bloodless coup through laws, regulations, and court decisions that lean far from traditional values, transferring liberties from individuals to the government. Such actions demonstrate a refusal to submit to past standards or to the divine structure of governance, which is from the top down, requiring each person to control himself and align with God's purpose. Instead, the pursuit of personal or collective desires over God's will continues to drive changes, disregarding the responsibility to uphold the order He has set.

In a culture where spiritual confusion and disunity prevail, many individuals who identify as Christian exhibit a vague and shallow belief in God, with little respect for His authority, the church, or the Bible as essential to life. This lack of authoritative guidance results in a society where every person does what is right in their own eyes, reminiscent of a time when there was no central leadership to provide trusted counsel. The adversary has effectively diminished the authority of the church and the Bible in people's perception, obscuring God and rendering Him vague and unknowable, though He is not so. In earlier times, the church held greater trust as essential to well-being, and people were generally more knowledgeable about God and Christian life, leading to a society with less pervasive immorality. Now, with the decline in biblical literacy and the loss of authoritative spiritual institutions, individuals are crafting their own fragmented spiritual beliefs, risking self-righteousness and deception in their understanding of standing with God.

Many believe they are free to set their own standards of conduct, ignoring God's commands and setting themselves up as sovereign over their lives. This mindset reflects a broader cultural trend where personal desires trump divine instruction, weakening the influence of true faith. Jesus clearly states that truth obeyed provides freedom, and the standards for God's children are much higher than for others, meeting the spirit of the law. God's true children follow Jesus Christ, not their own desires mixed with worldliness. He is preparing heirs who are just like Him, truly holy, knowing they are not free to establish their own standards for achieving true liberty. As a man, Jesus declared that He always does what the Father says.

Existentialism embodies the philosophy of doing what is right in one's own eyes, emphasizing that individuals are entirely free and solely responsible for their actions and the meaning they give to life. This belief rejects any accountability to a higher power, asserting that man is the pinnacle of existence, answerable only to himself. Such a mindset fosters a culture where personal freedom and individualism are worshipped, often leading to profound anguish and dread as individuals face the consequences of their choices. This philosophy mirrors a broader societal decline, where moral, ethical, and spiritual standards are self-determined, resulting in widespread irresponsibility. The fruits of this existentialist thinking are evident in poisoned food and water supplies, polluted air, a devalued monetary system, and failing mental health, as well as in government and corporate actions that prioritize self-interest over collective well-being. This approach of doing as one pleases, without regard for broader consequences, compounds societal issues, driving a nation toward an existential cliff where the full impact of such freedom must be faced.

From the very beginning, God has given mankind the privilege of choice, to follow His word or to pursue what seems good in their own eyes. This struggle, evident since the Garden with the two trees, continues as men often choose based on sight, smell, and taste, disregarding God's clear command. Through the millennia, human nature leads even the finest of men to a "yeah, but" conclusion, opting for what appears right to them rather than aligning with God's truth. In these divisive times, as we prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, we must remain faithful to choices that align perfectly with God's word, resisting the deadly choices of the surrounding society. God's sovereign authority ensures His plan moves forward, even when men make poor choices contrary to His word, causing pain and suffering that could have been avoided by staying under the safety of His guidance. Scriptures remind us of the consequences of doing what is right in one's own eyes. In Proverbs 21:2, it is written that every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. In the Book of Judges, as seen in Judges 21:25, the pattern of individuals doing what was right in their own eyes led to chaos and disobedience. Similarly, in the story of Elimelech from the Book of Ruth, whose name means "God is king," he chose to act according to his own judgment during a famine, disregarding God's instruction to trust Him and not leave the land. This decision resulted in tragedy for his family, yet God's sovereignty brought forth Ruth, who submitted to His word with outgoing concern, becoming a virtuous wife as proclaimed by Boaz. Our calling is to make choices that declare God as King, living by every word of God, even as we stumble. We must steer clear of this troubled world of division, which began with choosing to disobey God, and focus on preparing as the bride of Christ by consistently aligning our decisions with His truth.

In the Book of Judges, a stark contrast emerges between the obedience under Joshua and the disobedience and idolatry that followed. For the first sixteen chapters of Judges, God in His sovereignty repeatedly raised up judges to realign the people with His will, yet in the last five chapters, it becomes evident how far Israel had strayed from Him. Losing sight of the true King who was always present, they failed to obey His word and descended into depravity, each person doing what was right in their own eyes. As recorded in Judges 21:25, in those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes, leading to pain, suffering, and warfare. This pattern of self-determined morality echoes the warning given by Moses in Deuteronomy 12:8-9, where he instructed the people not to continue doing as they did in the wilderness, each following their own way, but to seek the peace and rest that comes from obedience to God in the promised land. Without remembering and honoring the truth of God's word, Israel swung further into depravity, forsaking the peace He intended for them.