Tolstoy said, "The antagonism between life and conscience may be removed in two ways: by a change of life or by a change of conscience." Many of us have elected to adjust our consciences rather than our lives. Our powers of rationalization allow us to live in luxury and indifference while others, whom we could help if we chose to, go hungry, are abused and exploited, or go to Hell.
In his work, Randy Alcorn explores the conflict that often exists between our daily lives and our moral principles. He references Tolstoy's insight that we can resolve this antagonism by altering either our behavior or our moral compass. Many individuals, however, tend to adjust their conscience instead, allowing them to justify their comfortable lifestyles while ignoring the suffering of others who are in dire need of assistance.
This tendency to rationalize our choices leads to a disconnect between our ethical beliefs and our actions. Alcorn highlights the consequences of this indifference, as people continue to endure hunger, abuse, and exploitation, often without our intervention. By shedding light on this moral dilemma, he encourages readers to reflect on their responsibilities and the impact of their choices on the well-being of others.
