WOE UNTO THEM that call evil good, and good evil

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil...

When God declares, “Woe to them,” He is not simply offering a gentle rebuke. The Hebrew word hôy (הוֹי) is not a light word, nor one to be taken lightly. It carries the force of a declaration of judgment, a pronouncement that stands firm in the face of wickedness. It’s a divine exclamation that sounds throughout history, intended not just for the moment but as a warning to all generations. It’s the kind of word that echoes the severity of God’s anger and His judgment against those who turn away from His truth. This word signifies that, unless there is repentance, the consequences will be irreversible.

When God says "woe", He is speaking about the ultimate, irreversible results of sin. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." This isn’t simply a case of moral misunderstanding; this is a deliberate, willful distortion of God's truth. The Hebrew word for call is “qārâ” (קָרָא), which means to proclaim, to name, or to declare. This is not just about individuals getting confused over moral matters; it’s a systematic act of defining what God calls evil as good and what He calls good as evil. We are living in a time now when the very fabric of morality has been torn apart. What was once known to be wrong—what was once seen as evil—is now celebrated, while what was once understood as good is denounced and rejected.  The words "wicked" and "nasty", are actually used to describe beauty!

The word for evil here is “rā‘â” (רָעָה), which speaks of that which is destructive, harmful, and wicked. When God speaks of calling evil good, He is speaking about those who deliberately choose to embrace things that damage the soul and bring destruction. And on the other side, the Hebrew word for good is “tôb” (טוֹב), which means beneficial, pleasing, and morally right according to God’s standard. When society calls evil good, it does not just misunderstand the nature of good and evil—it reverses them. Evil becomes a virtue, and that which brings harm is celebrated.

Consider the world today: we see life—especially the life of the unborn—treated as expendable - throwaways. The very sanctity of life is rejected in favor of convenience, and we are told that this is a moral right, a good thing. In this same world, the God-ordained design of human sexuality is now treated as fluid, subjective, and to be determined by personal preference rather than divine revelation. The truth that God created man and woman in His image, that He designed marriage as a covenant of unity between one man and one woman, is now regarded as outdated, oppressive, and bigoted. And yet, those who stand firm on God’s Word are vilified, called hateful and intolerant.

This is not a simple difference of opinion. This is a deliberate reversal of what God has decreed. The world has turned good and evil upside down - giving in to hasatan's whims. Those who defend righteousness are branded as extremists, while those who promote wickedness are hailed as heroes. “They put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” This is a profound moral inversion. The Hebrew word for darkness is “ḥōšek” (חֹשֶׁך), and it signifies not just the absence of light, but a spiritual darkness, a condition of ignorance or rebellion against God’s truth. Light in the Hebrew is “’ôr” (אוֹר), representing not only physical light but the divine light of truth and revelation that comes from God. And yet, today, people call the light of God’s truth darkness, preferring their own version of truth that leaves them in spiritual blindness.

This darkness isn’t just a passive condition—it is actively preferred by those who reject the light. They not only walk in darkness but choose it. This is why we see laws and systems in place that actively suppress the light. The truth is being silenced, hidden, and ignored because it exposes the darkness for what it is. The world has made a deliberate choice to live in that darkness and call it light, while those who cling to the light of God’s Word are labeled as intolerant and backward.

And in this same tragic reversal, they “put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” The word “bitter” here is “mar” (מַר), which speaks of something that is unpleasant, toxic, even poisonous to the soul. It’s a metaphor for sin, which may appear sweet and desirable in the moment but ultimately destroys. The word for “sweet” is “nā‘îm” (נָעִים), meaning pleasant, delightful, and desirable. What is happening here is that the world is taking that which is bitter—sin, rebellion against God—and calling it sweet, something to be desired and pursued. And on the other hand, they take what is sweet, what is life-giving—God’s truth, His righteousness—and call it bitter. They claim that God’s laws are restrictive, oppressive, and even harmful, when in fact, they are the path to true joy, peace, and freedom.

The effects of this inversion are devastating. “Which justify the wicked for reward.” This phrase speaks of those who, for the sake of power, wealth, or position, justify the actions of the wicked. The Hebrew word for justify is “dāqaq” (דָּקַק), which means to make right or to clear of guilt. But what is happening here is that the wicked are being vindicated and rewarded, not because they have repented, but because they have managed to manipulate the system or the culture for their gain. This is the corrupting force of sin—it rewards those who perpetuate evil and silences those who speak truth.

And the “reward” mentioned here isn’t necessarily a positive one. It speaks of those who gain favor, status, or material gain through their wickedness. Think of the corporate corruption, political manipulation, and entertainment industry excesses that reward wickedness. The wicked are often celebrated and exalted in the world’s eyes, while the righteous are cast aside.

Now, in light of all this, we turn to Paul’s letter to Timothy: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The Greek word for fear is “deilia” (δειλία), which means cowardice or timidity, an unnatural fear that keeps us from standing in the face of evil. It is the fear that causes us to shrink back from speaking God’s truth, from standing for righteousness. This is not the fear of reverence or awe before God, but the paralyzing fear that comes from being afraid to speak out in the face of the world’s rejection.

The “power” Paul refers to here is “dynamis” (δύναμις), which speaks to a supernatural strength, a power that doesn’t come from us, but from God’s Spirit within us. This power is not for personal gain, but for the boldness to stand firm in God’s truth, to speak His Word even when it is unpopular or dangerous.

The word for love here is “agápē” (ἀγάπη), which is self-sacrificial love, the love that comes from God and enables us to act in the best interest of others, even when it costs us. This love doesn’t compromise on the truth but speaks it with grace and compassion. It is a love that calls others to repentance, that desires their salvation more than their temporary comfort.

Finally, “a sound mind” is “sōphronismos” (σωφρονισμός), which speaks to a mind that is well-balanced, disciplined, and able to discern the truth from the lies. It is the opposite of confusion and instability. This sound mind comes from God and enables us to navigate a world full of deception and darkness, to hold fast to His truth without being swayed.

God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. We are called to be bold in our faith, to stand firm in the truth, and to love others with the love that comes from God. We are not to shrink back, to compromise, or to allow the world to twist God’s truth. We are called to speak with clarity and strength, to live in the light of His truth, and to proclaim it with boldness.

 Let me clarify again: 

Woe to Those Who Justify the Wicked

When God says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil,” He isn’t issuing a mild warning. He’s drawing a line in the sand. This is a word of divine judgment—not just for ancient Israel, but for right now. For this nation, for this generation, for this moment in history.

Because what we’re seeing in America—and across the globe—is not just a cultural shift. It’s a spiritual war. And it’s being led by those in power who have traded truth for lies, righteousness for perversion, and justice for corruption.

Look at the headlines. Watch what’s happening.

A U.S. senator is actively working to free illegal immigrants who have murdered, who have destroyed families, who have spilled innocent blood. And not a word—not a single word—about the children they’ve killed, or the ones being trafficked across borders like livestock. Where is the voice for the voiceless? Where is the justice for those murdered? Where is the outcry for the little ones enslaved, violated, discarded, killed?

The very people sworn to protect are now defending the predators. And the victims? They are ignored. Buried in silence.

“They justify the wicked for reward…” —Isaiah 5:23

This isn’t just bad policy. It’s evil in plain sight. It’s not about immigration—it’s about corruption, death, and betrayal. This is a government defending bloodshed, elevating lawlessness, and pretending it's compassion.

And it’s not just America.

Across the world, evil is being institutionalized.

In Europe, children are being trafficked under the radar of NGOs and governments too “progressive” to call it what it is. In Africa and Asia, Christians are slaughtered while global leaders remain silent—because it doesn’t fit their agenda. In Canada, pastors are imprisoned for opening churches while strip clubs stayed open. In the U.S., drag shows are funded with tax payer's dollars while faithful voices are censored and mocked.

We’re not just watching sin—we’re watching systemized wickedness. And it’s not just celebrated—it’s protected.

“They put darkness for light, and light for darkness.”

When laws defend child mutilation but punish prayer, when schools hide gender transitions from parents, when the truth is labeled hate speech and the lie is celebrated as virtue—that’s not confusion. That’s rebellion. That’s the world choosing darkness and daring anyone to shine a light.

They say abortion is healthcare.
They say men can be mothers.
They say children can consent.
They say righteousness is bigotry.
They say justice is oppression.

“They put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”

What God calls poison, they call freedom. What God calls holy, they call hate.
And those who dare speak up? They are canceled. Targeted. Labeled extremists.

But here’s what God says: Woe to them.
Woe to the ones who flip good and evil.
Woe to the leaders who defend predators and abandon the innocent.
Woe to the system that rewards the wicked and silences the righteous.

And woe to the church if we stay silent.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” —2 Timothy 1:7

This is not the time for cowardice.
Not the time for compromise.
Not the time for comfort.

We were given power to stand,
Love to speak truth with fire and compassion,
And a sound mind to discern the lies that dress themselves up as virtue.

God is calling His people to rise, to confront, to expose, and to rescue.
To pray with fire, speak with clarity, and live without apology.

Because this isn’t just about politics. It’s about life and death. It’s about souls. It’s about a world on the edge of judgment—and a God who still calls for repentance before the fire falls.

So no, we will not call evil good.
We will not stay silent while children die.
We will not bow to the darkness.

We will stand in the light—because the truth still matters.
And God still reigns.