When The Door Slams
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 are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21).
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. Remember Satan persuaded Adam and Eve that their disobedience, rather than their obedience to God, would guarantee a full life. They believed him and immediately began to experience sin's consequences! Despite the unreasonableness of Satan's logic, he continues to deceive people today 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 solder sought David's gratitude for killing Saul, God's anointed king (2 Sam. 1:1-16).
Think about this: 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 life when, in fact, we are trying hard to pursue our own sinful 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.
Who among us fears the Lord and obeys the word of His Servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light Trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God (Isaiah 50:10). May I not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God (3 John 11). I will seek the Lord while He may be found And call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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