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What does the Bible say about calling the bad good?

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The Bible condemns calling evil good or good evil, for this reverses God’s righteous moral order and invites His judgment. Isaiah 5:20 and Malachi 2:17 warn against approving what God hates, while Proverbs 17:15 says that justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous are both abominable to the Lord. Romans 12:9 calls believers to sincere love that hates evil and clings to good. Jesus teaches in Luke 6:43-45 that a person’s words reveal the condition of the heart. Christians must therefore receive God’s truth humbly, resist false teaching and cultural flattery, and seek repentance and renewed hearts through Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Isaiah 5:20

    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!

  • Proverbs 17:15

    He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

  • Romans 12:9

    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3-4

    [3] For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; [4] and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

  • Luke 6:43-45

    [43] For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. [44] For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. [45] The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

  • Luke 16:15

    He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

  • James 4:17

    To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

  • 3 John 1:11

    Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn't seen God.

  • Malachi 2:17

    You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, 'How have we wearied him?' In that you say, 'Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and he delights in them;' or 'Where is the God of justice?'

  • Ezekiel 13:22

    Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive:

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