America is in a state of moral decay, and it has been progressing ever-faster since the end of World War II. The decay is like an avalanche — in the distance it looks like it’s moving slowly, but then you’re engulfed before you have time to move. Millennials get a lot of flack for this decay, but it was already in motion long before we were born, and we feel powerless to stop it. Millennials are not the only ones to feel this way.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 78% of Americans feel that the moral values in America are getting worse. When asked how they would rate the state of our morality — either poor, fair, or good — 50% rated it as “poor.” This is especially true when it comes to sexual relations. As Gallup states: “Americans have become increasingly more liberal in their views of the acceptance of certain fertility and sexual behaviors while at the same time maintaining a quite negative perception of the overall state of moral values in this country.”

It provokes the question: Why do we have this moral decline? It’s because we are a nation of people who have become our own little kings. We have abandoned first principles and, as a culture, are letting one another do what is right in our own eyes. I.e, You do you.

That phrase is strongly reminiscent of this serial refrain in the Book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

It was repeated in the Book of Judges to illustrate that Israel was ignoring the authority of God and, like sheep without a shepherd, were easily led astray into all sorts of evil, vice, and corruption. They would have to be brought back into repentance by the Lord through God’s appointed enemies, trials, and judges.

The U.S. is not Israel, but we are a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Founding Father and second president John Adams warned, “But should the People of America, once become capable of that deep … simulation towards one another and towards foreign nations, which assumes the Language of Justice and moderation while it is practicing Iniquity and Extravagance; and displays in the most captivating manner the charming Pictures of Candour frankness & sincerity while it is rioting in rapine and Insolence: this Country will be the most miserable Habitation in the World.” He literally predicted this current state of affairs.

Adams also insisted: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” This abandonment of morality, religion, and tradition has led us to this imbroglio. It’s interesting to see our nation falling into the same state of immorality as Israel in the Book of Judges. Even the secular Gallup pole describes this movement as “a shift away from normative standards proscribing certain behaviors that arose through practice, tradition and religious teachings.” As a culture, we have abandoned our Judeo-Christian roots for liberalism, materialism, and hedonism. In other words, we have traded the God of the universe for the god of Self.

Another Gallup poll states that belief in God has dipped to 81%, a new low for the country. This seems like a generous percentage, though. There is a distinct difference between claiming to believe there is a God and actually worshiping, following, and honoring that God. (This is illustrated most prominently by Catholic politicians Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi.)

James 2:19 says: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.” America as a culture may believe there is a God (though that number is dwindling), but Americans believe more firmly that they are the actual god of their own life. That’s why they are willing to accept horrible, amoral behaviors. We humans make terrible gods.

These polls are informative and sad, but also hopeful. They demonstrate that we as a people are aware that the abandonment of morals, values, and traditions are leading citizens to nowhere good. They lay the groundwork for revival, both spiritually and as a country. God is on the move.