Another Fourth of July has come and gone. We filled the day with parades, barbecues, and fireworks—but has any of it made us a better nation? As Independence Day approaches each year, my thoughts drift to the immense sacrifices of those who cherished liberty above comfort. Our Founders pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that generations to come could live free.

Yet today, many seem indifferent—or even unaware—of the history that gave birth to this national celebration. And while historical neglect is troubling, a deeper issue looms: the erosion of our national character. Over the past fifty years, I have watched with growing concern as our moral compass falters and our spiritual convictions weaken.

We cannot diagnose this decline properly without turning to the Word of God. Scripture offers not only a lens through which to view this moral decay—but the very solution we so desperately need.

     “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Mankind is evil. His behavior is evil, his thinking is evil, his intentions are evil. Man is characterized by sin, iniquity, and transgression. This is how the bible describes the human condition. This is what I believe is affecting our nation today as it has been for many years.

     Evil resides unrestrained within every human heart, influencing all that we do. Its reach is comprehensive, tainting even our best intentions. Satan and his demons actively engineer a system of corruption that distorts not only our moral compass but also the very environment we inhabit. This system has profoundly warped the way people think and live. There are eleven specific influences that are presently shaping—and eroding—the moral character of our nation. These influences are infatuation with worldly pleasure, selfishness, materialism, immorality, anger, vengeance, immoral leadership, prejudice, loss of respect for authority, civil rebellion, and decline of swift and severe punishment.

     Let us examine more closely these eleven influences that are eroding the moral character of our nation.

     1. The Infatuation with Worldly Pleasure
     Our culture is increasingly consumed by the pursuit of entertainment and self-indulgence. Pleasure has become the measure of value—if an activity is not fun, it is dismissed outright. From endless video games to streaming platforms overflowing with content, society has cultivated an insatiable appetite for amusement. This obsession with pleasure dulls spiritual awareness and distracts from eternal truth (1 Timothy 5:6 (KJV)).

2. The Rise of Selfishness
Self-centeredness now masquerades as personal freedom. Compassion and community are sacrificed on the altar of convenience, as individuals prioritize themselves above all else (Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 13:10;16:18; 29:23).

3. The Pursuit of Materialism
Earthly success is measured by possessions. The hunger for wealth and status has outpaced the desire for righteousness, leaving hearts empty and discontent (1 Tim 6:9-10; Mark 8:36).

4. The Normalization of Immorality
Acts once deemed shameful are now celebrated. Moral boundaries blur as society redefines right and wrong to suit its desires, rather than God’s standards (1 Thessalonians 4:5)

5. The Spread of Anger
Frustration and fury fester beneath the surface of our interactions. Quick tempers and harsh words reflect a deeper spiritual unrest and a lack of grace (Ephesians 4:31; James 1:20; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Galatians 5:19-21).

6. The Embrace of Vengeance
Forgiveness is cast aside in favor of retaliation. Personal justice replaces divine mercy, and bitterness takes root where healing was meant to grow. Vengeance is forbidden (Proverbs 24:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9). We must also remember that Vengeance is not of the Christian Spirit (Luke 9:55).

7. The Corruption of Leadership

Immoral leaders no longer blush at wrongdoing. Integrity is forfeited for power, and the people suffer under those who neither fear God nor uphold truth (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 29:2; Proverbs 29:12). Exodus 18:21 describes what type of leaders we should have.

8. The Growth of Prejudice
Hatred and Division thrive where love should reign. Rather than pursuing unity, many stoke the fires of discrimination—fueled by pride, ignorance, and fear (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:19.

9. The Loss of Respect for Authority
Honor and submission have given way to defiance. Teachers, parents, and officials are undermined as society rejects accountability and discipline (Romans 13).

10. The Rise of Civil Rebellion
Lawlessness is paraded as liberty. Civil unrest and the rejection of lawful order reflect a deeper revolt against the sovereignty of God Himself.

11. The Decline of Swift and Just Punishment
Justice delayed—or ignored—erodes moral clarity. When wrongdoing is tolerated or excused, wickedness gains strength and righteousness is mocked (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

   The moral fabric of our nation is unraveling before our eyes. These eleven influences are not abstract trends; they are active forces eroding our conscience, distorting truth, and leading our society down a perilous path. We cannot afford to stand idle or speak passively while spiritual decay accelerates. It is time to wake up, to confront this darkness with the light of God’s Word, and to call our nation to repentance before the consequences become irreversible. Christians, the call from God is clear: we are to humble ourselves, to pray earnestly, to seek His face with sincerity, and to turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). This is not a suggestion—it is a summons. The time to respond is now.