By Steve A. Hamilton

Isaiah 5:20-21

Introduction: If you didn’t happen to know, this Tuesday we are being asked as a society whether certain moral issues should be condoned via ballot issues in the general elections.  In particular, we have to decide if the murder of unborn children will continue as a right given to women.  We have to decide if the revenues generated by video gambling should be permitted.  We are being asked to decide whether we should prevent homosexuals from having the same rights given to married couples.  We also are being asked to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

          This lesson is not about the immorality of abortion, homosexuality, mind altering drugs or gambling.  Rather, we will examine the mindset of such people who could look at such evil conduct and equate it to righteousness.  “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!”  

I. Calling evil good is an old perversion.

          A. Solomon said the same thing as Isaiah but in a different way (Prov. 17:15).

          B. Even Malichi identified this way of thinking as a problem among the Israelites (Mal. 2:17; 3:15).

          C. Jesus spoke against this mindset at least on two occasions.

                   1. When the scribes and Pharisees were upset that His disciples transgressed their traditions (Matt. 15:3-6).  It is never acceptable to dishonor one’s parents even if the child provides their living.

                   2. Later, Jesus lays into the scribes and Pharisees before a multitude (Matt. 23:16-23).  It doesn’t matter upon who or what a person swears by.  It is never all right to make a promise and not keep it.  

II. Calling evil good is a means of justifying evil conduct.

          A. Doing so is an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). 

          B. People are trying hard to justify their pet issues before men by saying such things like it is discrimination to prevent homosexuals from marriage.  Am I to believe discrimination against sin is wrong and homosexuality is right?

          C. We live in a time in which people are totally void of righteous judgment (2 Tim. 3:1-5). 

III. Only reprobates advocate evil as good.

          A. A reprobate is a person with a mind void of proper judgment (morally depraved). 

                   1. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith (2 Tim. 3:8; KJV).

                   2. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Tit. 1:15-16; KJV).

                   3. Reprobates are the kind of people who think everyone is evil.  Therefore, God loves us despite the evil we commit.  Do you know “religious” people who think this way?

          B. Have you ever wondered how a homosexual could possibly think his conduct is somehow acceptable to God? “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rom. 1:28; KJV).

Conclusion: Now before you vote, please think hard about the kind of people who would want you to condone abortions, approve of homosexual marriages, legalize marijuana and promote video gambling.  There efforts to justify such issues may sound logical or even reasonable.  But as a servant of God, you are not a reprobate!  You should know good from evil.  Please realize your vote on such issues is a reflection of your mindset before God.  Please don’t condone evil as good!

Last modified: 05/02/08