Have you ever encountered situations that did not fit the “all bad” or “all good” category? What about a decision? It may have a slight hint of not being right or wrong. Well, you, like many in our world today, have experienced something that is called morally grey areas. These areas challenge our faith, values, have an impact on our emotions, and our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. And believe it or not, there are an absorbent number of influences in our world today hindering our navigation through these unclear territories. However, with truth and grace, we will together understand these 7 characteristics without judgement.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/BrianAJackson
1. When Internal Conflict Clouds Our Judgment
Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:19 (NKJV) describes his internal struggle. Paul graciously shared his struggle, that as Christians we all have faced in our lives when he says, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Apostle Paul’s heart flows as he shares his conflict with clearly doing what is right before him, as he also stumbles over his own will, temptations, and actions in doing what is wrong. What a conflict, right? Well, our desire, also like Apostle Paul, is to live righteously, to obey. But also like him, we often fail as we face the distractions, tensions, and shades of life that lure us, falling into them, and sway.
A key point to note here is that the characteristics of morally grey areas are not necessarily evil. They commonly happen in moments of tension that stand toe-to-toe with our values, when conflict mishandles the consequences of our decisions, or when our emotions hang like a thick fog, clouding our judgment. These are the times when the characteristics of morally grey areas are unclear. Even with good intentions, there is room to hurt someone. And what about the times when we stay silent out of fear instead of speaking up. Although these times are not always brazen sins, they are not the ways of righteousness either.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Elijah Hiett
2. When We Justify Comfort Instead of Choosing Righteousness
In justification, the question “why” is often perplexing and sometimes unanswerable. However, if we assess the “why”, instead of convincing ourselves that maybe this isn’t that bad, or maybe it won’t hurt anyone, that’s a grey characteristic. In this, we notice how we justify the grey. Overall, it stems from several contributing factors in our lives, such as pressure from others and disappointment. Morally grey areas are like fear, brought on by the load from those around us, and failures, for example, disappointing our loved ones. But it doesn’t stop there, even our employers or society (social media), can etch us away from what we know is right. What about being overwhelmed by the daily issues of life, such as anger, grief, and stress? Yes, this too leads us to justify decisions that we would not make in any other circumstance. Our focal clarity is jeopardized in a world full of distractions, and it is key to ask the Lord Jesus Christ for spiritual discernment.
One that we may not notice is our desire to control, trusting our own wisdom over God’s, making decisions on how we desire to do things. Like Apostle Paul, conflict within his own will and actions. Paul wants to obey God but is constantly failing to do so. It’s not about how we feel in a justified decision, but what is righteous.
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Finn Hackshaw
3. Choosing Silence When Truth and Action Are Needed
Silence leaves no doubt as a characteristic in a morally grey area and will present itself in several ways. You feel conflicted about the time you bit your tongue when you should’ve spoken the truth, or you remain silent about something to relieve your conscience. You feel confused with no peace. But something that we must remember, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV). These characteristic loves to mask themselves; you notice contradictions between your actions and what God says, but don’t be fooled, righteous action speaks truth.
4. When Our Need for Control Reflects a Lack of Trust in God
Has the feeling or thought to control by manipulation ever crossed your path? Well, God is not surprised by our moral struggles or desire to control. It is a characteristic that reveals our lack of trust in God and Him being sovereign. We want to do things our way. But God’s word offers both clarity and comfort when we face these challenges. Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Trusting in God is so important in releasing our controlling tendencies. Trusting in Him helps us to refocus and realign our hearts with God, knowing that He is in control, even when we’ve deviated to our own will from the center of His focus for our lives.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Marjan Apostolovic
5. Feeling Pressured to Please People Instead of Honoring Christ
When we feel pressured to please others. Ask yourself, “What is motivating the decision I want to make?” Honesty is so important because without honesty, our fears, desires, culture, influence, and even church folk will motivate us to move in the wrong direction if we’re not careful. It is important to seek the word, Galatians 1:10, NKJV tells us straight forward, “Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Ouch! Every time, God’s word will bring clarity to everything. If you’ve found yourself to being pressured to please other, return to God, and receive His mercy. It’s what He offers, so repent and ask Him to help you walk and speak differently, and He will watch over His word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12; NIV). Remember to pursue the Lord and seek Him to reveal this characteristic in your life. In this, you will also gain spiritual maturity, which will deepen your moral clarity. (Hebrews 5:14; NKJV)
Photo Credit: ©Priscilla du Preez/Unsplash
6. How Emotional Exhaustion Leads to Rash and Unwise Decisions
Walking by faith doesn’t mean we pass it by as if we’re window shopping. It also doesn’t mean that we walk as if we’re perfect. It means that we’re willing to be molded and shaped by the working of the Lord’s hand and willing to grow in our sanctification, becoming more like Christ. Seeking the Lord in anger, grief, and stress invites us to grow in discernment, because if we don’t, it’ll spiritually blind us. Causing us to act out of emotion, become emotionally exhausted, and make snap decisions rather than those that are true, a morally grey characteristic, revealing where we need healing. We need to lean on God and His truth. Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) calls us to “… lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Will we stumble? Possibly, but we are never disqualified. God’s grace is greater than our emotions, and His truth is clearer than our snap decisions. Remember, these aren’t moments to look down upon yourself, it’s like a white flag that you’re waving, letting the Lord know, “I surrender all.”
7. Delaying Obedience Is Still Choosing Disobedience
Now, we’ve all heard this before “…obedience is greater than sacrifice” and this truth from 1 Samuel 15:22, NKJV. But delayed obedience is still disobedience. Let’s break this down further, how about procrastination? Oh yes, that is a word, isn’t it? In spiritual matters, these words are often greyed out by our excuses, of which we have many. But James 4:17, NKJV tells us, “If anyone, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” God doesn’t require perfection, He requires our “Holy yes”, even when we don’t have all the details. So, no matter what, follow what the Lord says, when He says it.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Drazen Zigic
Discerning Clear Answers from Scripture
Does life give us clear answers? No, but Scripture does. It is the Lord’s doing that is a steady compass for our lives. While those around us, social media, and the influences that impede our spaces show the morally grey characteristics that we may model, and are not of God, we must wholeheartedly turn to Christ, our true standard of righteousness. The counseling of God, by His word, helps us build godly characteristics and understand that what they reveals about us is a journey, from moral ambiguity to clarity, not a sprint, but a walk with the Lord.
In every moment, we can trust that God’s light will guide us. If we’re willing to examine ourselves, seek His face, and walk boldly in His grace and truth, we’ll exhibit the characteristics that honor Him.
Reflection Questions:
- Are there characteristics you’re currently feeling that are morally grey?
- What fears or influences might be shaping your actions?
- How can you invite God’s clarity into your current situation?
- What one change can you make today to step out of the grey and into the light?
- What does Scripture say about it? Have you looked?
- Who can you go to for godly wisdom and truth?
- What does your reaction in morally grey situations reveal about your trust in God’s character?
Today, let’s choose to understand that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is over our grey characteristics. By one seed sown at a time, with Jesus directing our path.
Photo Credit: Image created using DALL.E 2024 AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
Originally published Wednesday, 04 June 2025.