Shades Of Gray

"But Solid Food Belongs To Those Who Are Full Of Age, That Is, Those Who By Reason Of Use Have Their Senses Exercised To Discern Both Good And Evil."

Hebrews 5:14

Though it is subtle, there is indeed a difference between morals and ethics.

Morals define your personal character.

Ethics point to a standard or behavior by the group to which you belong.

A moral code is unchanging (usually), however your ethics can change based on the environment you are surrounded by.

Morals are not to be used to judge the behavior of other people rather they are to help you distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil.

Each and every single person has their own moral code, ingrained into them from the beginning, based on your own background, culture, experiences etc...and what I may think is immoral may be ok for the next person.

Your morals should not change for your own convenience, to justify something you know is completely wrong.

The line blurs when you start talking about ethics...

So very close to morals upon trying to define them you begin to wonder if they are not one in the same...

Here is an example...

There is a man who knows it is wrong to cheat on his wife, yet sets out with justifications and does it anyway - That is an ethical man...

Then there is a man who knows it is wrong to cheat on his wife, he doesn't want to hurt her feelings, so he doesn't cheat - That is a moral man...

Both men (or women, however you want to look at it) knows it is completely wrong to cheat on their spouse, yet only one takes into consideration the effect it will have upon his spouse.

Simply put, an ethical man knows not to do it, a moral man won't do it.

Take me for example...

I have had the chance a couple of times to "exact my revenge on my husband"...

I could have slept with several different men by now...

Ethically I could easily justify it by saying "Well he did it to me so turn about is fair play." Or "In the eyes of God my marriage was broken the moment he cheated on me."

Morally, regardless of what he has done, I know it is wrong so I choose to hold onto the morals that have been instilled into me from as far back as I can remember.

Always...

No matter what...

No matter who...

No matter the circumstance...

Treat each and every single person you know, you love or you just met the way you want to be treated.

LIFEHOUSE
He Says He Looks In The Mirror
He Can't Tell Anymore
Who He Really Is And Who They Believe Him To Be
And He Says He Walks A Thin Lin
Between What Is And What Could Be