What Happens When Everyone Does What Feels Right to Them?

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”— Judges 21:25 (ESV)

This haunting verse closes the book of Judges, summarizing an era of chaos, violence, and moral collapse. It is not simply a historical footnote about a nation without political leadership—it’s a theological and moral diagnosis of what happens when people reject God as King. The result? Moral anarchy disguised as personal freedom.

Sound familiar?

We live in a world that increasingly echoes this refrain. Our culture prizes autonomy above all else. We are told to:

• “Follow your truth”

• “Be true to yourself”

• “Live your best life”

• “You do you”

• “Don’t let anyone judge you”

  
  

These mantras are repeated like sacred proverbs, yet behind their empowering tone lies a dangerous worldview: moral relativism—the belief that there is no absolute truth, especially in matters of right and wrong.

But the book of Judges reminds us that when everyone becomes their own moral authority, society doesn't flourish—it fractures.

The Moral Vacuum of Atheism

Let’s frame this within a broader apologetics discussion. One of the common claims of modern atheism is that belief in God is unnecessary for morality. “We don’t need religion to be good people,” they say. And at a glance, that might seem reasonable. Plenty of atheists live outwardly moral lives. They love their families, donate to charity, and advocate for justice.

But this raises a critical question:What do we mean by “good”? And more importantly: by whose standard?

Without an ultimate source of moral authority—an unchanging, transcendent standard—terms like “good,” “evil,” “right,” and “wrong” become matters of personal preference or social consensus. They lose their meaning.

This is the moral dilemma of atheism. If there is no God, then morality is not fixed—it floats. It becomes subjective, like taste in music or favorite ice cream flavors. One person prefers honesty; another prefers manipulation. One values life; another values convenience. Who’s to say which is better—without appealing to a higher moral lawgiver?

C.S. Lewis, once an atheist himself, famously said in Mere Christianity:

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.”

In other words, the very ability to declare something as unjust presupposes a standard of justice—a “straight line” against which to measure. But atheism cannot provide this standard. It leaves us with the haunting refrain of Judges: Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

The Collapse of Culture Without a King

Let’s go back to ancient Israel. The book of Judges records what happens when a people who once knew God slowly drift away. They don’t begin by saying “there is no God.” They begin by acting as if He doesn’t matter. They ignore His law. They forget His faithfulness. They worship what is convenient. And eventually, chaos reigns.

This isn’t just ancient history—it’s a cautionary tale for any culture that decides to dethrone God.

Today, we see the fruit of relativism everywhere:

• Injustice celebrated as freedom.

• Confusion about basic human identity.

• Violence rationalized as self-expression.

• Truth treated as a personal preference.

  
  

When a person declares, “This is my truth,” they’re not just making a statement—they’re making themselves the final authority. But when everyone has their own truth, how do we know whose truth to trust?

We are watching in real time what happens when society removes the King and crowns the self.

Recent headlines show it clearly:

• One person’s “truth” justifies theft in the name of equity.

• Another’s “authentic self” overrides biological realities.

• Courts redefine justice based on shifting social winds.

• Children are told to follow their hearts while adults debate what a heart even is.

The irony is painful: when everyone does what is right in their own eyes, wrong doesn’t disappear—it multiplies.

The Need for a King—Not Just Any King

The closing words of Judges are not just a lament; they’re a setup. They prepare the reader for what comes next: the rise of Israel’s kings. But even the monarchy that follows is mixed at best. Saul fails. David shines but sins. Solomon starts wise but ends corrupted. One king after another disappoints.

Eventually, this longing for a true king leads us to the only one worthy of the throne: Jesus Christ.

He is the King we need—not only righteous and just, but merciful and good. He doesn’t just hand us a moral code and walk away; He writes the law on our hearts. He doesn’t rule with an iron fist, but with nail-pierced hands. And He doesn’t merely point the way to life—He is the way.

In a world where everyone is encouraged to “do what feels right,” Jesus calls us to a better path: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”That may sound counter-cultural—but it’s also the only way out of the moral maze.

A Final Word to the Relativist

If you're reading this and struggle with the idea of God or question whether moral absolutes exist, consider this: Your longing for justice, your outrage at evil, your desire for meaning—they all point to something deeper than biology or social constructs. They point to a moral King.

Without God, we may build temporary moral frameworks, but they will crumble under pressure. Only a foundation rooted in the eternal, unchanging character of God can uphold true goodness, justice, and dignity.

And if you're a Christian reading this—don’t lose heart. The book of Judges reminds us of the darkness that falls when God is forgotten, but the gospel reminds us that light has come. Christ is King, and His Kingdom is advancing—not through power or politics, but through truth, love, and transformed lives.

So let's live, speak, and reflect that Kingdom in a world that desperately needs a King.

Blessings in Christ,