Dennis Abernathy

Calling evil good and good evil, was a kind of upside-down morality that was taking over the nation of Israel in the prophet Isaiah’s day. He said: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who think they are wise in their own eyes and consider themselves to be clever in their own sight. Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men who boast about all the liquor they can hold. They take bribes to pervert justice and let the wicked go free while punishing the innocent. Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their foot shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall descend like dust; because they had rejected the law of the Lord of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 5: 20-24).

The ability to discern the difference between good and evil can easily be lost in any society, and we see that it is currently a glaring problem in our own nation. It is very popular today to blur the lines between right and wrong to erase any moral or ethical distinctions. We are losing sight of the fact that some things are always right, and some things are always wrong. We are, little by little, losing our reference point! Without a moral philosophy to undergird our way of life, our way of life is in serious jeopardy and danger. The attitude that ridicules God and His Word always leads to a confusion of moral distinctions in which people are unable to discern between true and false values. Thus, sin’s harmful effects upon the heart and soul are finding full expression in the thinking and life of society today. Former professor and U. S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote about “Defining deviancy down.” “We are accepting as normal what society in the past labeled deviant. Sinful and bad behavior is accepted as normal and no big deal. We have defined deviancy down and got a culture of violence, sexual immorality and a twisted view of gender and personhood.”

For example, we are told over and over that legalized gambling somehow builds up families and communities. Cursing, nudity, adultery, drunkenness, homosexuality, and other such sins are brazenly displayed as acceptable conduct and are shown in positive light on TV and in the movies. We are even told that abortion is good. All these things, and many others like them, are said to be good and anyone who opposes and speaks out against them is called evil.

Many people see evil as good and good as evil. The reason why a growing number of people love evil and hate that which is good is because they are still in their sins. Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (Jn. 3: 19-20). Many are immersed in their sin and wrong-doing and have no intention of changing. They are content to remain in darkness because they enjoy the pleasure found in sin (Heb. 11: 25). They take pleasure in and enjoy the evil and wickedness they do (2 Thess. 2: 12). Hence, they hate the light because it exposes and reproves their sinful lifestyle.

Man has always been skillful at confusing evil with good. That was Adam and Eve’s problem, and it is our problem today. If evil were not made to appear good, there would be no such thing as temptation. It is in their close similarity that danger lies. Therefore, we need to be aware of the subtle ways evil is painted as being good.

Modern social righteousness often differs from the righteousness of the Bible. Someone has said, “A wrong deed is right if the majority of people declare it not to be wrong.” Thus, standards shift from year to year according to popular vote! For example, divorce was once frowned upon by society, and laws against fornication and adultery were strictly enforced. But today divorce is accepted, and fornication is glorified in our literature and movies, and in the conduct of a growing number of our people.

The prophet Isaiah said, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who think they are wise in their own eyes and consider themselves to be clever in their own sight. Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men who boast about all the liquor they can hold. They take bribes to pervert justice and let the wicked go free while punishing the innocent…they have rejected the law of the Lord of Hosts and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 5: 20-24).

Today the general reaction to moral sins is so toned down that there is no distinction between good and evil in the minds of many people and rebellion against constituted authority is viewed as normal and man spins, rationalizes, twists and manipulates facts in order to justify even the grossest of evil.