Every Man Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes: The Anatomy of Moral Relativism

Every Man Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes: The Anatomy of Moral Relativism

When there is no higher standard than personal preference, chaos follows. The book of Judges captures a time in Israel’s history when covenant loyalty gave way to self-rule. Its recurring refrain—“every man did what was right in his own eyes”—is more than a historical observation; it is a timeless diagnosis of moral relativism. Then and now, when God’s authority is rejected, truth becomes subjective, justice collapses, and society unravels.

Biblical Foundation

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, NASB)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise person is the one who listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15, NASB)

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20, NASB)

Historical & Contextual Notes

The refrain in Judges (17:6; 21:25) describes the spiritual climate of Israel after Joshua’s death. Without Joshua’s leadership and without consistent covenant faithfulness, Israel drifted into idolatry and compromise. Each cycle of the book follows the same tragic pattern: sin → oppression → crying out → deliverance → relapse. The absence of a visible king is noted, but the deeper issue was the rejection of God as King.

Israel’s moral collapse was not due to ignorance of God’s law—they had the Torah. It was due to neglect and willful disobedience. Priests became corrupt (Judges 17–18), leaders sought personal gain (Judges 9), and violence and immorality consumed society (Judges 19–21). The phrase “right in his own eyes” is not about freedom, but about anarchy.

Misconceptions / Objections

1. “Moral relativism is modern.”

   It is ancient. Judges shows that once God’s authority is set aside, subjective morality inevitably takes over.

2. “Without laws, people are naturally good.”

   Judges disproves this. Human nature, apart from God’s standard, bends toward corruption. Law may restrain evil, but only God’s Spirit transforms hearts.

3. “A king would have solved Israel’s problem.”

   The refrain notes “no king,” but the ultimate problem was rejecting God’s rule. Even under kings, Israel often continued in rebellion. Human rulers cannot replace divine authority.

Theological Reflection

The Hebrew word for “eyes” here is עַיִן (ʿayin), often symbolizing perception or judgment. To do what is right “in one’s own eyes” means to elevate subjective perception above God’s revelation. This is the essence of moral relativism: each person becomes their own authority.

Proverbs warns against this path, equating it with folly (Proverbs 12:15; 14:12). Isaiah pronounces woe on those who invert moral categories (Isaiah 5:20). When truth is subjective, the weak suffer, injustice spreads, and sin becomes normalized.

Connection to Christ

Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NASB). In contrast to a world where “everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” Christ stands as the objective standard of truth. He fulfills what Judges longed for: not a flawed human king, but the righteous King who rules with justice and truth.

Paul echoes this in Romans 1, describing those who reject God’s truth and exchange it for lies, leading to moral collapse. The remedy is not political kingship but submission to the Lordship of Christ.

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Judges reminds us of the cost of relativism. Without God’s authority, society drifts into chaos, families crumble, and worship is corrupted. The refrain is a warning: life lived by “my truth” leads only to destruction.

In Christ, we find a better way. He is not one truth among many but the Truth incarnate. Where moral relativism blinds, Christ restores sight. Where chaos reigns, Christ brings order. Where self-rule fails, Christ reigns as King.

The call is as urgent now as in the days of Judges: to reject the illusion of self-made morality and to bow to the One who is Truth itself. Only then can we avoid the tragedy of doing what is “right in our own eyes” and instead walk in what is right in His.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.