Opposing the Wrong, Supporting the Right
The prophets lived in a time of great moral turpitude. Many were confused as to what was right and what was wrong. So much so that many of the prophets call attention to the fact that the people in their day and time hated good and loved evil. In Micah 3:2, God tells His people: “You who hate good and love evil.” Amos found it necessary to say, “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). The wicked man is described in the Psalms: “You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness” (Psalm 52:3). Perhaps the most iconic passage is in Isaiah 5:2, “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!”
There are things that are right and good and wholesome: mercy, love, patience, kindness, sobriety, forgiveness, purity, joy, humility, faith. There are also those things that are wrong and evil and destructive: selfishness, hate, maliciousness, drunkenness, unbelief, pride, envy, greediness, lust, and anger. As Christians, good citizens, family members, and lovers of wholesome things, we must oppose the wrong and support the right. We must do this personally, in our families, in our churches, in our neighborhoods, in our communities, and in our nation. It takes effort on our part to be vigilant and stand for what is right. Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Let’s make an effort this week to take a stand for what is right and good and wholesome. God is with us! He sees the good that we do! He will remember those good works (Hebrews 6:10)! God bless you and I love you!