“The times they are a’changin’”—or at least beliefs are a’changin’!

According to a new study from George Barna’s Cultural Research Center, “Americans are changing their understanding and definition of ‘sin,’” which they say, “signals a dramatic shift in the nation’s moral compass and builds on earlier reports documenting widespread confusion about the existence and nature of sin.” Not surprisingly, younger generations showed more moral confusion than their older counterparts.
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Some of the study highlights include:

• “Fewer than half of all adults—just 43%—believe that sinful behavior stems from a wicked, corrupt heart.”
• “Three out of every five adults (62%) said that sin can be understood as ‘an act of disobedience against God.’” (Interestingly, people were more comfortable with “disobedience” rather than “rebellion,” showing a softening toward the seriousness of sin).
• “About six out of 10 (61%) indicated that sin produces guilt, and such guilt is ‘often worse than the sin’ that caused it.” Yikes!

The research looked at twelve “traditional sins”—like gambling, abortion, and cheating on taxes—and found only six are still “widely regarded as sinful.”

When it comes to these changes, Barna believes:

The current data patterns reflect social turbulence during the past decade in the U.S. in the areas of significant changes in family structure, personal relationships, integrity and ethics, faith practices, and lifestyle choices. These can be traced directly to shifts away from traditional biblical views on sin. (Emphasis added.)

This “social turbulence” is certainly increasing—and the children you and your church have the privilege of serving are caught up in the confusion. As Barna notes, most people form their views of right and wrong in their early teen years and rarely change them afterward. It’s imperative we reach children with the truth, coming alongside parents to shape their views of sin and holiness, ensuring they have a proper understanding of God’s standard (and how we fall short and therefore desperately need Jesus!).

And we must do that by helping them start with God’s Word in every area.

You see, in our post-Christian (really, anti-Christian, as there is no neutrality) society, God’s Word is no longer the authority; man is. And if man is the authority, then morality is completely subjective. Right and wrong are determined by personal opinion, cultural shifts, and the latest trends—in other words, it’s arbitrary—because when there is no “king” (no ultimate authority), everyone does what’s right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).

And we’re certainly seeing that, especially in the younger generations!

Really, it all comes back to “who decides?” Does the Creator and Judge of the universe decide, or does sinful, fallible man decide? How children answer that question will determine their worldview and what they personally view as sinful (and how serious they view sin!). And we all know worldviews have consequences!

Yes, America’s “social turbulence” is raging, and the divide between what is Christian and what is not is only going to continue to widen. We must combat this by standing boldly and firmly on the authority of God’s Word, from the very first verse, and teaching children to do the same.

Editor’s note: This blog was modified and adapted from a blog previously published at AnswersInGenesis.org.

Avery Foley is a writer and speaker for Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum, and the Ark Encounter. She and her husband are homeschool parents to five young children and the producers of Building Blocks, a chronological walk through the Bible for kids on Answers.tv.

Ken Ham is the Founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, the ministry behind the Creation Museum, the Ark Encounter, Answers Bible Curriculum for churches, and the best-selling Answers VBS.