It appears that the value standards constructed by humans over time in response to societal changes—such as work achievements, social status, and economic power—are being substituted for the inherent value (human essence) that people naturally possess.

Now, let us compare God’s values ​​with the values ​​that humans have created within society.

God cares about real honesty and integrity deep inside a person, not just outward appearances.

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 UKJV

Modern society has become a world where lies and falsehoods run rampant as a matter of course. （YouTube, social media, etc.）

Beloved, let us love one another: for love (o. agape) is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. (o. agape) 1 John 4:7-8 UKJV

In modern society, individualism that prioritizes personal fulfillment and self-interest is widespread. (The “Main Character” Syndrome, Social Isolation and Mental Health)

God delights in acts filled with loving-kindness.

I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, Jeremiah 9:24 UKJV

In modern society, we frequently see instances of theft and behavior—such as the use of rude language or verbal abuse—that, far from elevating a person’s character, actually degrades it.

God values ​​forgiveness.

If all of you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if all of you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 UKJV

Revenge stories in modern cinema are often romanticized as heroic acts, thereby influencing people’s minds.

God Opposes the Proud.

God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. James 4:6 UKJV

In modern society, arrogance—or a borderline “conviction in oneself” and a sense of superiority (or dominance)—is often viewed as a driving force for success. In highly competitive environments, arrogance holds practical value..

The Bible teaches that spiritual truth is granted based on the state of a person’s heart, rather than their worldly status or intellect. The term “little children” signifies complete dependence, humility, and an open attitude..

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes. ( Matthew 11:25 UKJV)

But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit (o. pneuma) of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(1 Corintians 2:14 UKJV)

This means that unless the Holy Spirit shapes our spiritual perception, the deep truths of the Bible remain closed to us. When you approach the Bible with a spirit of accepting its teachings and surrendering yourself to it, you are granted the grace necessary to understand its truth.

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.(James 4:6 UKJV)

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (Luke 24:45 UKJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:(2 Timothy 3:16 UKJV)

13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong food belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.(Hebrew 5:13-14 UKJV)

It explains that spiritual maturity requires time and is a process of transitioning from the “milk” of basic teachings to the “solid food” of deeper spiritual insight—insight gained through constant practice and discernment.

I thought about the story of Adam and Eve, the first humans, which everyone has heard at least once. Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit that God had forbidden them to eat, which incurred God’s wrath and led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

Adam and Eve sinned by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which God had forbidden them to eat. (Genesis 2:17) This was a disobedience to God, the first sin committed by mankind, and a trait that was passed down to their descendants. This act also alienated mankind from God and brought physical death to the world.

So what changes occurred after eating the fruit of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”?

Human knowledge is flawed when man is separated from God. The knowledge he possesses tends to make him proud.

The Bible often portrays human arrogance as the root cause of interpersonal problems and conflict. It stems from humans’ selfish desire to gain superiority over God and others. Throughout human history, this arrogance has repeatedly led to conflict.

This led to Eve’s desire to become as wise as God, which led to her sin and downfall. Satan (the serpent), who so eloquently tempted Eve, also previously desired to become God, but was cast out of heaven by God because of his arrogance.

The serpent was the cleverest of all the beasts of the field, which the Lord God had made. Wisdom and knowledge apart from God only feed on arrogance. In Genesis 11, mankind’s attempt to build the Tower of Babel, reaching to the heavens, reveals their arrogance and desire to make a name for themselves rather than glorify God.

Look at our current society. In this world, arrogant human behavior is praised and modeled, and self-centered and forceful words and actions are sometimes viewed positively as a necessary condition for success in the business world. Wisdom and knowledge that are divorced from God give humans an arrogant heart, prioritize their own desires and self-importance, maintain the power of successful people in society, and become increasingly consumed with the pride of believing they can control the world with their own power without God. The further we move from God, the more arrogant we become, and the more we fall prey to Satan’s schemes.

James 4:6 “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

We are all born with a conscience, but its origins are unknown scientifically. Look up the dictionary definition of “conscience.” It is an emotion that tells us to know and do what is right and avoid what is wrong. It also makes us feel guilty when we do something we know is wrong. (From the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary)

Where does conscience come from? Curiously, the need for “love” and the basic conscience shared by many people around the world are similar. This includes having a kind and compassionate heart, a gentleness that seeks to help the weak, not harming others through word or action, and not deceiving, lying, or stealing.

It’s as if a moral code, like God’s law, exists within us and functions as an inner sense of right and wrong. I believe our conscience, or inner sense of right and wrong, is something we inherit from God, because God created humans in His own image:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
“So the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).

These reflect God’s character, including truth (Psalm 117:2; 1 Samuel 15:29), holiness (Isaiah 6:3; Exodus 3:2), goodness, kindness, mercy, and love (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul also states that God’s law is written in the hearts of the Gentiles.
“When the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do the deeds of the law by nature, they have the law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the law is written in their hearts, and their consciences also testify. And their thoughts are either accusing or excusing one another.” (Romans 2:14-15).

In today’s society, where a huge amount of information is exchanged, it is necessary to select and correctly understand correct information without being misled by biased media and false information. Fake information not only leads to misunderstanding and confusion, but can also weaken the ability to judge truth and falsehood, and cause indifference and irresponsibility. International information is also often reported with a political bias, always making someone out to be the bad guy. In the near future, untruth will be justified and morally accepted, and we ourselves will no longer know what is true. Information literacy skills will be important in order to judge this information environment and obtain only truly trustworthy information.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ( James 1:5 )

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold. ( Proverbs 3:13-14 )