"Who knows what morals are?"

I was speaking to a group of about 100 teenagers one day, and asked them “What are morals? Can anyone define or explain what they are?”  After, several moments of silence, the hand of a tenth grade boy lifted up.  Relieved that someone was going to share their answer, I called on him.  And I never will forget his answer.  With all seriousness, he said “Aren’t those the really good pieces of chocolate that you can get at the mall kiosk.”  Sadly he had mixed up the definition for morals with morsels. The more I speak with young people the more I realize that the tenth grade boy is not alone.  This is a problem that is wreaking havoc on our culture today.

So, what are morals anyway?  A person’s morals could be defined as the standard they set for what they define as right and wrong.  Morals often have to do with a person’s character, integrity, and purity.  A few quick examples would be your views on lying, cheating, or stealing.  But it goes deeper than that, for instance, how you treat other people, what you allow your eyes to see, what you listen to, what you allow your body to do, and where you go, are just a few other examples to get you thinking. I have learned that the higher a young person’s moral standards are, the higher their quality of life is and will be later.  This is because principles observed at a young age usually carry on into adulthood as well.  That’s why it is so important to think about and define your moral guidelines as early in life as possible.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Grand Canyon Visitation Center, you will notice that there are rails along the rim of the 5,280 ft. deep canyon.  The purpose of the rails, obviously, is to keep you from falling over the edge.  Likewise, moral lines are also designed to keep you and others from danger.  It’s a way of setting boundaries in your life that you will not cross because of what is on the other side.

When you decide that you have to break up with someone, because of the pressure they are putting on you, is it because you are a snob? No, it is because you have seen the danger and you have drawn a line to keep you from it.  When you turn down an invitation to a certain party where you know it’s going to get crazy, is it because you are a deadbeat?  No, it is because you are putting guard rails around your life now in order to have a great future.  Don’t be deceived, a person that tries to live without moral standards is like a person driving a car without a steering wheel, the wreck is inevitable.

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2Timothy 2:22)

—Trey Talley

Trey Talley is a leader of Team Impact, a gifted motivational speaker who has a unique ability to speak compelling truth to young people with love and sincerity, and the author of Teen Construction Zone: Building a strong foundation for a great life. www.TreyTalley.com