Seven Evils

June 30th, 2009

One of the country’s leading research groups, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, reported that Britain is beset by seven social evils that undermine society.  

Greed, collapsing moral values, the decline of old-fashioned virtues such as honesty and tolerance, drugs and alcohol abuse, family breakdown, the permanence of poverty and the failure of political institutions were named by the 3500 people consulted.  

It seems that few people are prepared to look at the record of history, and especially the Biblical record, and see that moral decay comes as people abandon belief in God.  

The Book of Judges is a classic case of this. It gives actual accounts of the recurring cycles of turning from God, then oppression and distress, followed by a turning back to God then deliverance and peace.  

Though we don’t have a monarchy like those days, we do have a Queen who has made her faith and trust in God clear to all. However, the prevailing attitude and the ensuing legislation of our Government seem to disregard any faith or trust in God. It is not surprising, therefore, that oppression, distress and moral decay follow.  

This is not new. Habakkuk struggled with the violence and injustice all around, and found it so difficult that God did not seem to answer his cries for help.  Habakkuk had to learn that God has his own ways of executing judgement, and that Habakkuk needed to rest and wait for God in a spirit of worship: though the fig tree does not bud etc…yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. Habakkuk 3:18  

We need to make sure that for us and our households we will joyfully serve the Lord and honour him, and unashamedly, yet lovingly and with great wisdom and discretion,  encourage others to do the same, for therein lies blessing and well-being for all people. 

David Thatcher

Filed under: Thought of the Week