The title of this article is taken from the words of Isaiah: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20)!  The point made from the inspired words written by Isaiah has not been lost over time.  Society as well as erring brethren of today call evil good and good evil.  The need for those who do wrong to justify their actions will never cease.  There will always be some who are not ashamed of the evil that they do (Jeremiah 6:15), but the overall need man has to be justified in their actions has not fallen by the wayside.

     God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (I John 1:5).  Light throughout the word of God shows righteousness, whereas darkness represents evil.  When one is converted they are removed from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of our Lord (Colossians 1:13).  The purpose of the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to remove people from Satan’s camp of darkness and bring them to God who is the source of light.  Notice the words that Paul used while standing in front of Agrippa: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).  One key phrase used by Paul that so greatly helps in the clarification of our subject is that men need to have their eyes opened to be turned from darkness to light.  We need to open our eyes to see good and know the difference between good and evil.

     In Matthew’s account of the Parable of the Sower Jesus quoted Isaiah saying: “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15).  The hearts of some have grown dull.  Their consciences are no longer pricked by the realization that they are doing wrong.  In response of the Gospel they do not become pricked in their hearts to ask what they must do (Acts 2:37), they simply close their eyes so that they do not see the truth.  They close their ears so that they do not know and understand what is right.  The result is a rejection of the light that brings forth salvation.

     Many today love evil.  When Jesus came to this earth He was rejected because men loved evil.  That fact is recorded for us in clear terms: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19-20).  Those that love evil hate truth and goodness for truth and righteousness expose evil for what it is.  The fact that evildoers cannot stand to be exposed shows why those who are walking in darkness like to call evil good and good evil.  There are a great many examples of this in our day that proves the point made by Isaiah and affirmed through the teachings of Christ.

     First, we will examine some examples within society where good and evil are confused.  There are many examples and no article could fully examine all of them.  In our society many have redefined things that are clearly condemned within the Scriptures to justify their sinful acts.  The Scriptures clearly condemn the act of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, and I Corinthians 6:9).  Yet, in our society many have explained away the sin of homosexuality by saying things like “they were born that way”.  Some in our society then begin to find “special ways” to help the homosexual community “fit in” to today’s model of society.  Such is a disgrace to the Lord.  Sin should never be redefined so that it feels right in society.  Excuses and acceptance do not nullify sin and the consequences of sin (Ezekiel 18:20 and Romans 6:23).

     When driving down “Main Street America” you find that society has fit alcohol right into society as though it belongs there.  Men and women today base so many social functions around the center of alcohol.  In weddings, a major concern for the reception is the choice of wine that will be served.  Television has plenty of commercials to desensitize us from seeing the sinfulness of alcoholic beverages.  God has been clear on the sinfulness of alcohol consumption throughout the Scriptures (Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, and I Corinthians 6:10).  The Lord did not fall short in showing us that drunkenness, partying about, and social drinking of alcohol are all wrong (I Peter 4:3).  Why then does society continue to call evil good and good evil?  They do so because they love darkness more than light.

     While many more things could be listed to show society’s love of sin and their redefinition of sinful things to make them good, we also need to show how erring brethren do the same things.  One thing that has always been clear to me that may not be that clear to others is how erring brethren redefine their commitment to God and excuse themselves from sin.  One area where this becomes clear is in unfaithful attendance of those times wherein the saints assemble to worship God and study His word.  Clearly, we know that it is sinful to willfully forsake the assembling of the saints (Hebrews 10:25).  Yet, brethren argue that they have the need to provide for their families (I Timothy 5:8) so that is somehow an instruction of God that trumps the command to assemble with the saints.  In reality, this is an argument wherein brethren try to call evil good and they twist the Scriptures unto their own destruction (II Peter 3:16).  A Christian can be a provider for his or her family and still faithfully attend the assembling of the saints.  If we seek the kingdom of God above all, making the Lord first in our lives, the Lord promises us that the necessities of life will be provided (Matthew 6:24-34).

     Brethren also begin to call evil good and good evil when they accept false doctrine and practice unity in diversity.  The Lord has been clear that we are not with the Lord if we do not teach the truth (II John 9).  To take that further, the Lord has been clear that we do not have Him if we support those who do not bring the doctrine of Christ or those who transgress the doctrine of Christ (II John 9-11).  The body of Christ is to be united in the same mind and judgment.  There is to be no division among brethren (I Corinthians 1:10).  Brethren seem to be more loyal to men than to God sometimes.  They like the man more than the truth when they choice to serve man over God.  In such cases the Lord is not pleased (Galatians 1:10).  False doctrine is soul damning.  Calling error good or supporting those who teach error is choosing evil instead of good.

     “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil…” (Psalms 97:10).  Loving God means loving truth, light, and righteousness.  Truth does not mix with any amount of error.  Good has no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11; cf. II Corinthians 6:14).  Faithful Christians abhor that which is evil while cleaving to that which is good (Romans 12:9).  While the faithful are trying to cling to the good and reprove the evil that old serpent the Devil is busy doing his work to cause all to be lost.

     In conclusion, if you are calling evil good and good evil, ask yourself whom you are serving.  The work of the devil is as follows: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Corinthians 4:3-4).  The work of God is the exact opposite.  Paul wrote: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).  Let’s join the Lord in exposing error by showing those who call evil good and good evil that the Lord said unto them - “woe”.