Calling Good Evil, and Evil Good

WHY DO THEY NAME THE GOOD AS EVIL?
Sermon #434; by Joe McClure; Date: February 19. 2006

It has been requested, by Jonathan, that I try to preach a sermon dealing with the question of why the world has redefined the meaning of righteousness.
Why do they define evil activity as that which is right?
Why do they define that which was good in our past as wrong today?
We live in a society where it is frowned upon to condemn that which God calls evil.
In the church there has been a movement for a number of years to redefine the terms.
The false teachers are calling ‘good’ as ‘evil’, and ‘evil’ as ‘good’.
In other words, the false preacher will not admit that he is doing anything wrong, or teaching anything false; but instead will define that which is evil as a good work.
We see a flip-flop church in many congregations today, churches in which the preacher who speaks the truth is disfellowship, and in which the false preacher is rewarded.
The preachers who have been bold enough to stand up and to preach against fornication and adultery among the brethren have been avoided like the black plague.
Psalms 38:20-- They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow [the thing that] good [is].
When this happens to us, we should recall that the religious Jews stoned Jesus and finally crucified Him.
John 10.30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Notice the reverse type of thinking of these Jews toward Jesus.
They believed that they were stoning Jesus because he was preaching a false doctrine.
Their definition of ‘righteousness’ was different than given to them by God.
Since the Law of Moses was originally given to the children of Israel, it had been interpreted many times by the rabbis to mean something different than intended at the beginning.
The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees could not be Scripturally defined as Godliness.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Was it wrong to keep the Law of Moses at that time?
A good study for you is to study the administration of the Law of Moses, as administered by the religious rulers in Israel.
Matthew 23:2-7 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Before addressing my question, I want you to notice that one of the reasons for this condemnation by Jesus of the scribes and Pharisees was that they wanted to be in positions of power, and to be highly regarded by men.
Matthew 23:23-27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness.
The point that Jesus made here was that the Law of Moses was to be obeyed, while at the same time, Jesus tells the people not to follow the example set by their religious rulers.
Such is extremely hard to do. Men are more likely to follow a preacher’s example, or an elder’s example, as they show by their actions what they really believe to be right.

PERVERTED IDEA OF RIGHT AND WRONG:
Those who preach as ‘thus saith the Lord’ find that in many cases, that, instead of the unrepentant brother being disfellowshipped, that, the preacher is the one who is censured instead.
While it may seem that something different is going on in our generations than in the ‘good ole days’; such has been going on since time began.
There has always been a struggle between good and evil.
The question before us today is twofold. Why is evil seeming to win, and why is the church allowing evil to win?
During the days of those very early Christians, they did not have it easy when they stood with Jesus, and spake as Christ gave them words to speak.
Also during the early days of Christianity, we can see that men had a perverted idea of what was right and wrong.
In one case, Barnabus and Saul, along with John Mark were send out by Antioch Church of Christ to preach the gospel. Along the journey, they came to the isle of Paphos, and preached to the deputy of the country, an intelligent man named Sergius Paulus. A certain sorcerer and false prophet stood against the preachers of Christ.
Acts 13:9-12 Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Here we see an enemy of the truth, who made no effort to hide whose side he was on. However, he had made some effort to convince Sergius Paulus not to obey the gospel, by doing false miracles.
In that case, the enemy of all righteousness, the child of the devil, was perverting that which was the right way.
Satan is subtle and his purpose is to muddy the waters, and cause man to think that he is doing that which is right, while in effect, he is doing wrong.
In the days of Paul, we see the results of this perversion of the truth in the nation of Israel.
Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
They had a strong desire to be Godly. In other words, they wanted to be right with God in their heart.
Israel wanted to be right, but they did not know how to be right with God.
They did not have the right KNOWLEDGE.
Not knowing the truth, what did they do?
They made up their own version of the truth, and obeyed that false truth. This they did in ignorance, and thus they did not have in their mind knowledge of what the righteousness of God consisted of.
This passage of Scripture here in Romans 10 points out to us that we must submit to God’s righteousness, which is the word of faith preached by the apostles.
This does not differ from the apostles’ teaching to study the Word, and to examine one’s beliefs, and to stand for sound doctrine.
This does not differ from the apostles’ teaching to study the Word, and to examine one’s beliefs, and to stand for sound doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
We need to examine why that these Christians turned away from the truth to false doctrines.
Lust had something to do with their departure.
Instead of leaving the assembly of the church, they got preachers who would preach what they wanted to hear, words that made them comfortable in doing evil.
At some point later in such a congregation, those to come would be ignorant of the truth, having been raised up to believe lies.
Will you preach the word?
Will you use the Word to reprove, to rebuke, and to exhort?
PREPARE TO SUFFER FOR RIGHT:
We should be prepared to suffer when we stand up for that which is right.
I Peter 3. 8 ¶ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
[Being persecuted by evildoers does not give us the right to take vengeance against those in the wrong by doing something wrong ourselves.]
I Peter 3.10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
[EVIL WORDS: In your personal battle against Satan, never use evil words. If you do, they will be used against you. It is sinful for a Christian to use his words to deceive others. There is a danger of leaving the unbeliever with the idea that you agree with his evil position by deceitful words that might come out of your mouth.]
I Peter 3.11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
[EVIL ASSOCIATION: Do you associate with anything that is evil? Do you associate with people that are evil? If your life’s actions can be defined as ‘good’, or as righteous behaviour, then you will turn away from that which is evil.]
I Peter 3.12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
[RIGHTEOUS PRAY: As we can learn from studying the Israelites of ancient times, God refused to consider the prayers of those who had rejected His authority over them, and we saw this especially when they got in trouble and cried out to God.]
I Peter 3.13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [This is a question asked, and Peter points out that if it does take place we have a cause to be happy because we have suffered for a good cause.] I Peter 3.14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
[The only way that you can be happy when you are opposed for standing up for the truth is to be committed to serve Jesus as Lord, and to be willing to suffer so that right can be seen and heard.]
HONOR God:
SPEAK UP FOR Jesus:
I Peter 3.15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
NOT A HYPOCRIT:
I Peter 3.16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
In I Peter 3.12, God says that the prayers of the righteous are heard.
I believe that here is some evidence for us regarding the repentant Christian’s need of the prayers of the faithful saints. In other words, when the prodigal son or daughter returns to the fellowship of the assembly of the church, they need the prayers of the righteous to gain the ear of God.
Notice here in I Peter 3.16 that God knew that the time might come for the faithful child of God, the time when others would speak evil of the righteous; the time when others would actually call the Christian an evildoer.
I Peter 3.16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

We live in a society that punishes those that speak out against sin, while those who are evil are accepted into the highest of societies.
Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Just as the church of Christ was opposed by the religions of that time, which included the Jews, and those who worshipped the various false gods; we realize that we also face many false religions in our time.
Those who are faithful to the truth must oppose these false religions.
We are in an ‘evil day’ in a similar way as the early Christians were.
While we know that this happens, it is important that we honor Christ as Lord over our life, not our peers.
It is getting so bad that many no longer are able to discern good from evil.
Just as many have a perverted idea of what is right and what is wrong in the eyes of God; there is a way to know and to be assured with confidence that we are in the way that leads to life eternal.
TELL GOOD FROM EVIL:
They no longer know how to define the righteousness of God, nor to know the temptations of Satan.
Religious people are failing to read their bibles and failing to study the Scriptures, for the truth is defined by the Word of God.
Many in the church today do not know what truth is due to ignorance of the truth.

The Scriptures of God will teach us how to differentiate between that which is right and that which is wrong, that is if we will study it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
What is one of the purposes of Scripture?
The Scripture is given to teach you in the ways of righteousness.
The Scripture is given to train you in righteousness.
The Scripture is given to be your guide in righteousness.
The Scripture is given as a book of instructions on how to be right.
Apparently there will always be those who sin willfully, with foreknowledge, and premeditation; but for those who have sanctified or honored Jesus as Lord over them, the New Testament is given by Christ so that we CAN know right from wrong.
The gospel calls us to both Holy thinking and Holy living.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Do you behave like the world behaves?
Is your behaviour any different than that of your friends, of your family, or of your co-workers?
We can only know that which is acceptable to God when we educate our minds with the Scriptures of God.
Paul wrote the following to Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:12-15 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Part of our service to Christ, as Lord, is to learn what it is that Jesus expects of us.
How valuable do you consider the Holy Scriptures to be in relation to your service to Christ, and in relation to your place in Heaven?
Philippians 3. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Can you say that your righteousness is through your faith in Christ?
If yes is your answer, then you are proving all of your righteousness by the word of truth.
Those who have traveled the Christian path the longest should be faithful to train those younger Christians in the way of the Lord, and to teach them how to study the Scriptures in such a way that they can learn how to identify the works of Satan.
Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Are you skilful in the word of righteousness?
Do you know the difference in both good and evil?
Here we see that the understanding Christian is compared to an athlete, one who has exercised in using the tools that God has given us in order that he might be more able to understand the distinction between right and wrong.
How much spiritual exercise are you getting each day?
Do you go to the Word of God to get God’s advice on something that you are planning to do?
Do you respect the advice of faithful brethren more or less than you do your friends outside of the church?
Many times, Satan will blur the lines of distinction so that the lazy Christian will not be able to see the difference, and thus will not be able to see the good.
Once again, we must always remember that Satan is deceitful.
Several times in the Scriptures, we are told to ‘be not deceived’. We are not to ‘beware’.
I Corinthians 6. 9 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The Scriptures teach us that even in the 1st century, the church was warned against the workers of Satan, who would disguise themselves as workers of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
One might ask how such a thing could happen in the Lord’s church, but remember that when a person loves the evil pleasures of this life that he will forsake that, which is good.
One of the ways that ancient Israel attempted to rename evil as good was in their rejection of God and in effect their rejection of God’s commandments.
Malachi 2:15-16 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.Mal 2:17 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?
The sins, or lust of the flesh is one of the temptations that Satan has at his disposal in tempting mankind to sin, and for Christians to fall from grace.
If enough of the members of a congregation become weak in the faith, the end result is that they will become tempted to justify their sinful behaviour as righteous behaviour.
Proverbs 28:13 ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
Today, we see that reflected in the increase of the divorces and remarriages taking place in the churches of Christ and the acceptance of them as approved of God.
It is not only fornication that has been redefined by false preachers, but many other sinful practices have been glossed over either as not evil at all, but not ‘very bad’; or at least not bad enough for you to worry about.
As Christians, we need to be honest about teaching the truth and pointing out what sin is, and what activities are sinful, as defined by the word of truth.
If you turn to II Timothy 3, and read that entire chapter, you can get a good idea of why people are so evil.
2 Timothy 3:1-17 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was. 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
If we have educated ourselves with the instructions given by the Holy Spirit, we ought to be able to know the tree by its fruit.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
If we truly want to please Jesus as Lord, we will study His commandments given to us by the testimony of the apostles’ doctrine.
If our heart is right, then we are seeking the good things of God.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Even though we know that Satan walks about, seeking whom he may devour, we should also be encouraged by the Word of truth. The Word assures us that we have power over evil if we have that which is good.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.