Evil, Good and Good, Evil
Thriving in the Morning | Thursday
As you listen, invite God to examine your heart and align your values with His truth. Let the melody remind you of the call to live in holiness and discern what is truly good in His eyes.
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!— Isaiah 5:20
It is Satan's practice to convince people that what God calls good is actually evil and what God declares evil is, in fact, good. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve that their disobedience, rather than their obedience, would guarantee a full life. They believed him and immediately began to experience sin's consequences! Despite the absurdity of Satan's logic, he continues to deceive people into doubting what God has clearly said.
King Saul sought Samuel's affirmation for the sacrifice he had offered, even though he had acted in direct disobedience to God's command (1 Sam. 15:13). Ananias and Sapphira expected praise from the early church for their offering, though they were blatantly lying (Acts 5:1–11). An Amalekite soldier sought David's gratitude for killing Saul, God's anointed king (2 Sam. 1:1–16).
We, too, will face the temptation to call something good that God has
declared wicked. We may be persuaded that we can accomplish more good by lying than by telling the truth. We may claim that we are mobilizing Christians to pray for someone in sin when, in fact, we are spreading gossip. We may assert that we are following God's will in our job when, in fact, we are striving to pursue our own ambitions. We will also be tempted to call evil that which God declares is good. God says it is good to love our enemies, yet we might decide our task is to hold them responsible for their actions. It is so important to hold ourselves accountable to God’s Word. God does not need us to find exceptions for His commands. He requires our obedience.
From Experiencing God Daily Devotionals (c) 1998 by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
Meditate the Word.
Satan’s strategy has always been to distort God’s truth, convincing us to rationalize disobedience and redefine what is good. But God’s Word is unchanging. As believers, we are called to stand firm, discerning good from evil and living in obedience to His commands. Choose today to hold fast to God’s truth, even when it challenges you or goes against cultural norms. True obedience brings life and honors the God who calls us to holiness.
🌱 Are there areas in your life where you have justified actions or attitudes that go against God’s Word?
🌱 How do you discern whether your decisions align with God’s truth or cultural norms?
🌱 Have you ever been tempted to label something as “good” for personal convenience, even though it contradicts God’s commands?
The truth of God’s Word is not subject to cultural revision. What God declares good remains good, and what He declares evil remains evil
Heavenly Father, thank You for the clarity and truth of Your Word. Forgive us for the times we’ve compromised or justified actions that go against Your commands. Help us to discern good from evil in every decision we make and to live lives that reflect Your holiness. Fill us with courage and humility to obey You fully, even when it’s difficult. May our lives be a testimony of Your unchanging truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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