Last week I began reading a book on Christian Ethics by Norman Geisler. From the first page, the book addresses a number of areas surrounding a subject desperately needed today.

Ethics deals with what is right and wrong morally. The basis upon which this system exists determines how everyone lives life.

A correct understanding of ethics is vital to the direction of spiritual leadership. It should be obvious, but I will say it anyway. God’s word should be the only foundation for our ethical standard.

The book of Judges describes a time when there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Israel rejected God and the standard of ethics given them in the Law. The result led Israel into idolatry and, ultimately, destruction.

Sadly, we can see the same mindset and result in the 21st century. Allowing the influence of humanism, situational, and post-modernistic ethics destroys spiritual leadership.

We must be diligent to live and lead by the standard of ethics determined and given by our God. Only then will have ethical leadership.