So, where do our ideas of right and wrong come from? Why do we believe some things are inherently good while others are evil? If you pay attention to society, you’ll hear people talking about morality like it’s some kind of subjective menu. “You do you!” they say, as if living life were a trip to a buffet where you just pick whatever fits your appetite. But let’s be real for a second: If all morals are subjective, then why does everyone still act like some things are just wrong?

When someone says, “Killing is bad,” or “Lying is wrong,” they’re not throwing out personal opinions like which ice cream flavor is best. They’re making a claim that has weight and authority. Now, here’s the kicker. If morals are just subjective—made up by humans and shifting with the cultural winds—then who’s to say what’s really right or wrong? A serial killer could argue that his actions are “good” according to his own standards, and in a subjective world, who could tell him he’s wrong? But we all sense something more, don’t we? There’s a universal “ought” in our hearts, pointing us to something greater than human opinion.

The Bible tells us exactly why we have this sense of right and wrong. It starts with the fact that we’re created in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” That’s where our moral compass comes from. God is the ultimate standard of goodness, and we, being made in His image, have been given an inherent sense of that moral standard. It’s not up for debate. It’s written on our hearts.

Romans 2:14-15 puts it this way: “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” In other words, even people who have never heard of God’s laws still have a sense of right and wrong because God has stamped it into our very nature. If morality were subjective, this internal witness wouldn’t make sense. Our consciences would be nothing more than a product of personal or cultural preference. Yet, even across different cultures, there’s a universal recognition that things like murder, theft, and betrayal are wrong. That’s not coincidence. That’s God.

Here’s where things get tricky. If we rely solely on human-made laws and rules to define what’s right or wrong, we encounter a big problem: those laws are based on someone’s opinion. Think about it. Every law passed, every rule established, comes from the perspective of those who created them. In some societies, certain actions are condemned, while in others, they might be justified. What does that tell you? It means that human laws are subjective—they change with the times, the culture, and the whims of those in power.

If morality were defined purely by what society deems legal or illegal, then our standards of right and wrong would shift constantly. Today, something might be considered “good” because the law permits it, but tomorrow, a change in the law could redefine it as “evil.” That’s the problem with leaving morality in human hands. It turns into a game of opinions, where nothing is solid and everything is up for grabs.

Biblically, morality isn’t rooted in human opinion; it’s rooted in the very nature of God. The Ten Commandments weren’t suggestions or cultural guidelines. They were God’s revelation of His character and the unchanging standard by which He calls us to live. Exodus 20:13 says, “You shall not murder.” It’s clear, straightforward, and absolute. Not up for debate. Why? Because life is sacred to God. He made us in His image, and to take a life is to assault that image. If morality were subjective, then taking a life could be justified based on personal opinion. But it’s not. It’s an offense against the Creator.

Even Jesus reinforces this idea when He says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22). Notice that Jesus isn’t just concerned with the act itself; He goes straight to the heart. God’s moral standard isn’t just about what we do; it’s about who we are inside. It’s an objective standard, one that exposes our need for God’s grace and forgiveness.

Without God, morality loses its objective grounding. Human laws, no matter how well-intentioned, are still the product of someone’s subjective views. They may reflect parts of God’s moral law—like prohibiting murder or theft—but they are only as good as they align with God’s character. Without Him, what’s “good” or “evil” would be nothing more than personal or societal preference, shifting with the tides of opinion.

You see, if morality is just the result of human thinking, then we’re left in a mess. A world where anything goes, as long as someone can justify it. But deep down, we know that’s not true. We know some things are objectively wrong, not because society says so, but because they violate an unchanging, higher law. And that law comes from God Himself.

God didn’t leave us guessing what’s right or wrong. He gave us His Word to show us His standard of morality. The challenge isn’t figuring out if morality is subjective or objective; it’s whether we will accept the truth that God has revealed and live by it. That’s why “You do you” doesn’t fly. It’s a cop-out that ignores the reality of God’s moral law. Without God, we’re left with opinions, a moral free-for-all where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. But with God, we have a foundation for what is truly good, just, and right. And that’s not up for debate. That’s the truth.