For years, Christians in America have been met with a familiar phrase whenever moral issues enter the political sphere: “You can’t legislate morality.”
The saying sounds wise, even tolerant. It gives politicians an escape hatch and allows society to avoid the uncomfortable task of drawing moral lines. But while the phrase is popular, it is neither logically sound nor biblically faithful.
The Bible does not merely permit moral legislation — it assumes it, commands it, and judges nations based on whether their laws reflect righteousness or rebellion. If Christians accept the idea that morality has no place in civil law, they are accepting something God explicitly rejects.
In reality, the debate is not about whether morality should guide legislation. It is about whose morality will shape the laws that govern society.
1. God Himself Legislated Morality
The Ten Commandments remain the clearest, most foundational moral law code in human history.
God did not simply give Israel spiritual principles; He issued civilly binding moral laws that governed the nation’s behavior.
“You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.”
— Exodus 20:13–15
If morality cannot be legislated, then God Himself took the wrong approach — an absurd conclusion.
Every society since has recognized these commands as the basis for civil order.
2. Civil Rulers Are Commanded to Punish Evil
Paul teaches that civil government exists specifically to restrain evil and promote good — not by suggestion, but by the sword, symbolizing force, discipline, and judicial authority.
“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad…
For he is God’s servant for your good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.
He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
— Romans 13:3–4
According to Scripture, the government’s calling is unmistakably moral: punish evil, reward good, and carry out justice. That is legislating morality by definition.
3. God Requires Nations to Appoint Righteous Judges
God commanded Israel to appoint judges who would uphold His moral standards, not the shifting preferences of the culture.
“You shall appoint judges… and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment…
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow.”
— Deuteronomy 16:18–20
For a nation to be righteous, its laws must be righteous — and its leaders must enforce righteousness.
4. The Law Exists to Restrain Sin
Paul writes that civil law exists because there are immoral behaviors which must be restrained.
“The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient…
for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars…”
— 1 Timothy 1:9–10
Civil law exists because morality must be enforced for society to function. The idea that morality cannot be legislated violates the very purpose of government.
5. Nations Rise and Fall Based on Their Morality
Scripture teaches that national blessing or national ruin directly correlates to a nation’s moral foundation.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
— Proverbs 14:34
If righteousness exalts a nation, then unrighteous laws destroy a nation. Thus, legislation is never merely a political issue — it is a spiritual one.
6. Scripture Praises Kings Who Legislated Morality
Kings in Scripture were judged based on whether they enforced godly laws. Josiah stands out as a prime example.
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…
He removed the high places…
He broke down the altars…
He made all who were present serve the Lord their God.”
— Summary of 2 Kings 23
Josiah reshaped the nation’s laws according to God’s standards — and Scripture commends him for it.
7. God Condemns Unjust Laws
If morality cannot be legislated, then no law can ever be immoral. Yet Scripture repeatedly condemns unjust laws.
“Woe to those who enact unjust statutes…
to rob the poor and deprive the needy of justice.”
— Isaiah 10:1–2
A law can be wicked. A statute can be unjust. A nation can be held accountable for its legislation. This is only possible because laws are moral by nature.
The Reality: All Laws Reflect a Moral Vision
Every law, no matter how small, either upholds righteousness or undermines it. There is no such thing as morally neutral legislation. People who say “you can’t legislate morality” are not against moral law — they are against biblical moral law.
The question is never whether morality will be legislated. The question is whose morality will govern our nation.
A Biblical Call to Action for Christians Today
We live in a time when many public officials lack the courage to defend righteousness. They fear public backlash more than they fear God. But the Bible does not call leaders to pursue popularity. It calls them to pursue justice, truth, and courage.
Christians must elect leaders who will:
- Fear God more than public opinion
- Stand firm on biblical truth
- Protect life, family, and children
- Confront evil rather than manage it
- Restore righteousness in law and policy
- Reject the lie that law can be separate from morality
“When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
— Proverbs 29:2
If we want righteous laws and a nation God will bless, we must elect leaders who have the courage to legislate morality — God’s morality.
