Calling evil good and good evil

Calling evil good and good evil

Scripture: 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!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21

Observation: This scripture from Isaiah gives us firstly a picture of a deceiver. What does the deceiver do? He calls evil good and good evil, he deems darkness as light and light as darkness, and casts bitterness as sweet, and sweet as bitterness. In the garden of Eden, God had specifically told Adam and Eve not to eat from the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden of Eden, warning them that they would surely die. The fruit was very bad for Adam and Eve, but the serpent called it good, and convinced them that it was good for them when in fact it wasn’t.

This deception continues today in very large scale. What is good in the eyes of the world – obsession with wealth, material things, physical beauty, entertainment. These are the things that the world says will fulfill us and satisfy us. In the West, God, Christian values and prayer are increasingly painted as politically incorrect, intolerant. What is evil is called good, and what is good is called evil. Embracing other religions is called a good thing, upholding God’s purity and holiness is laughed at.

In an increasingly warped world, many think they find meaning in darkness, the occult, witchcraft, pain. Strange rituals of secret societies entail their members to be buried in coffins. What is darkness is deemed light, and what is light is deemed darkness. Likewise, bitter is called sweet, and sweet is called bitter.

Those who advocate and practice these are wise in their own eyes, prudent in their own sight. They think they know it all, and have the world at their mercy. However, their wisdom is their folly, and it will lead them to woe and death.

But we who follow Christ are called to follow His Word and His teachings. We are called to abide in the Vine, for we are the branches. To abide in Him means to constantly be aware of His Holy Spirit which He gives us, who is our guide and friend. We are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, to consider the Lord in all His ways, and He will make our paths straight.

What is true wisdom? It is to be humble and follow Christ each day in dependence on His Holy Spirit.

Application: Lean on the Holy Spirit to help us discern what is right and wrong, what is good and evil. Be humble and depend on the Lord for wisdom in our daily decision making. He watches over those who seek Him

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are ever my Rock and my Refuge, my Helper and Guide in time of need. Send forth your Holy Spirit to lead me that I may please you in all my ways. In Jesus name, Amen.