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 is delivering God's warning to ancient Judah, where society has turned morality upside down. Calling evil 'good' isn't just about politics — it's about redefining reality itself. Like calling poison 'medicine,' they've convinced themselves that destructive choices are actually beneficial. God says this moral confusion brings serious consequences because it destroys our ability to see clearly.
God of unchanging truth, I've learned to spin uncomfortable realities into comfortable lies. Give me eyes that see straight and a heart that refuses to call poison by any other name. Help me live by Your definitions, not mine. Amen.
You know this feeling when you're scrolling and see someone defending cruelty as kindness, or greed as wisdom. Isaiah's words land like a slap because you've felt that vertigo — the disorienting moment when up becomes down. We're living in a time where people photoshop their consciences with moral filters, making their worst impulses look heroic. But here's the harder truth: you've probably done this too. Maybe you called gossip 'concern,' or labeled your harsh words as 'just being honest.' Isaiah isn't just pointing at society's problems — he's holding up a mirror. The first step away from moral vertigo is admitting when you've been spinning the room yourself. Ask yourself: where am I calling darkness light and hoping no one notices the shadows I cast?
What examples of calling 'evil good and good evil' do you see in your culture today?
Where might you be redefining good and evil to justify your own choices or preferences?
How does moral confusion ultimately harm both individuals and communities?
When someone you care about is calling wrong things right, how do you respond with both truth and grace?
What practical steps can you take this week to align your definition of good and evil with God's perspective?
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Malachi 2:17
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Matthew 6:22
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:23
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:1
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Proverbs 17:15
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
AMP
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!
ESV
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
NASB
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.
NIV
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!
NKJV
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
NLT
Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, Who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
MSG