“Doing What is Right in Our Own Eyes”
We often do “what is right in our own eyes”? …No? …Yes?
You can’t help what people say about you, but you can make it tougher on them to lie. Are your words and deeds the same? Do they mirror the lifestyle of the man the Word of GOD is pleased to call godly?
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”—Judges 21:25
What happened to the Spirit of “I AM?” Was He not “near?”
However, when there seemed to be no [godly] one “in charge and actually leading”, people did as they wanted. Hmm…? Why does that seem familiar?
What about us now? Is the Spirit of “I AM” not “near?” Is the Holy Spirit not living amongst us today?
"Doing what is right in their own eyes" is a phrase that signifies a highly individualistic and self-centered reality. This was said concerning the Nation of Israel on many occasions. It meant “that they only cared about themselves and their desires, rather than the needs of others, and the will of their GOD”. The basis for morality, right and wrong, was centered around their own will and desires. This choice also carried in the reality that they cared little of what the Law of their Rescuer declared.
NOTE: Similar phrases are also mentioned in Proverbs 21:2, 14:12 and Judges 17:6
When a person (you and I) follows our hearts and feelings, what can happen? Living that way on declares that we are living no better than the way of a fool…being right in his own eyes.
Do you, see and understand how highly unusual, caustic and self-centered this is? Do we not grasp the atrocity of leaning on our own understanding and following our own way?
ELYON forbid, should we follow a wayward and autonomous “spiritual” leader! I wonder what would happen should any of us EVER do such a thing?!
I have heard it said, “GOD gave judges to Israel as a helpful measure, as an act of grace [pity, mercy and kindness], for they certainly did not deserve any of that.” Who really does, or ever has?
NOTE: Paul shared that “GOD gave Judges to Israel for about 450 years, until Samuel the prophet was raised up. The Judges were sent by the disregarded Ruler as a response to the wayward nation. Unfortunately, the Judges were not an improvement to His people.”
When you and I act in the manner we are supposed to, we form a structure that leads us to an eventual return to the things (ways) that helped us to be free. Unfortunately, rather than as the next step of how a nation’s government should progress and develop, we go further into the mire and spiritual abyss, just as Israel did.
When Israel (for they struggled with His leadership) worshipped other gods, the Lord revoked His protection, resulting in other nations invading and oppressing the chosen ones. When the people of Israel (finally) cried out to their GOD for help, He sent a deliverer (called a judge) to rally the people, overthrow the invaders, and give the Nation of Israel peace.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” – Proverbs 12:15
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” – Isaiah 5:21
Are you able to recall the last time you IGNORED sound judgement and/or the Word (prompting) of ADONAI and decided to “doing what was right in your own eyes”?
Yep. You chose to ignore the Ultimate Standard of Authority. As mentioned above, the Scriptures tells us the phrase appears most notably in the time of the Judges. …of course, Proverbs gives us more Wisdom to chew on and consider.
OVERALL, the primary concept infers that when individuals, cultures or civilizations discard GOD’s Directives, they become inclined to define righteousness on their own terms. That, as we ALL know by now, is unwise and leads to spiritual confusion and moral conflict. Why is that? The Standards shift according to human feelings, desires, or cultural pressures.
When people engage in “doing right in their own eyes,” the common result is fractured communities, moral compromise, and spiritual decline. Does that sound familiar? I wonder if that is what is going on these days as well.
Throughout the 66 book’s passages in all of Scripture, the Bible consistently teaches that we humans flourish when we align with the Creator’s will. This arrangement not only anchors others but is holds you and I to a Sure Foundation and Fixed Reference Point – if you want to call ADONAI those things.
Our Messiah is more than able to transform individual lives and a whole nation, if we/they choose to obey what he has already given through Moses, Joshua, Prophets and the Judges.
If that were not enough, he sent His ONLY Unique Son, Yeshua to die and offer hope and THE steadfast purpose for all who seek to live according to the Truth of is Father, rather than their own eyes.