Daily Devo

Woe!

By: Lisa Boisvert

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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. Isaiah 5:20

We live in a sin-soaked world. Christ followers have become a minority, and the opinions and actions of many people are contrary to God's Word. In the bubble of church, we feel it's safe to speak out against evil. But we must still interact with the world when we go grocery shopping, out to eat, or go to work.

But God's Word says we shouldn't compromise and call evil good or good evil. But taking a stand may cause us to feel uncomfortable... Most of us don't want to stand out, or for others to see us as different or weird. The truth is, it's much easier to ignore evil and keep quiet, and to go along with world opinion if we want to fit in.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15 (NKJV)

It can be a struggle to put this verse into practice. So, instead of speaking up, we justify our silence with phrases like “there are two sides to every story,” or “that's their truth, not mine.” For example, are you willing to call abortion evil? Are you willing to say allowing men in women’s bathrooms is wrong? Our world says allowing those things shows compassion, but as Christ followers, we know better. Have you ever laughed when someone was being mocked or ridiculed? Be careful, even silence can affirm evil.

Let's revisit the word woe from our opening verse. In Matthew 23, when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, He used the word woe many times. He used it as a warning, a judgement, and as an expression of His grief. To avoid hearing the word woe, and to avoid causing Jesus grief, we can either obey God's warnings, or we can please the world. There isn't a middle ground when it comes to evil.

Instead of hearing Him say "woe", don't you want to hear "well done good and faithful servant" when you meet Jesus?