“Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good and Good Evil”

Compassion Restores Dignity — Doctrinal & Prophetic Exegesis

The Prophetic Warning Against Counterfeit Compassion

Isaiah 5:20 contains a thunderous, covenantal warning:

“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.”

This “woe” is not a curse.
It is not condemnation.
It is not rage.

In Hebrew, hōy is the language of a covenant lawsuit,
a divine intervention,
a loving but terrifying shout:

“Stop—
you are destroying yourselves.”

Isaiah is describing a society where moral categories have been reversed,
where truth is rejected,
where rebellion is celebrated,
and where false compassion has replaced holy love.

It is the Old Testament parallel to Romans 1:25.

When Cultural Compassion Reverses Moral Reality

Our modern world has perfected Isaiah 5:20:

• “Sin isn’t sin—it’s self-expression.”
• “Holiness isn’t love—it’s oppression.”
• “Boundaries are harmful—autonomy is sacred.”
• “Design is outdated—identity is self-made.”
• “Correction is hatred—affirmation is compassion.”
• “Truth wounds—lies heal.”

This is not merely moral confusion;
it is moral inversion.

And moral inversion always leads to dignity destruction.

Why?

Because calling evil “good” does not heal anyone—
it traps them in what is deforming them.

Calling good “evil” does not protect anyone—
it cuts them off from what can restore them.

The most dangerous thing a society can do
is to redefine compassion so thoroughly
that truth becomes offensive
and lies become therapeutic.

This is where Isaiah speaks with prophetic fire:
when you invert moral categories,
you destroy the very people you claim to protect.

Counterfeit Compassion Never Restores Dignity

Biblical compassion restores dignity.
Counterfeit compassion destroys it.

How?

1. It affirms wounds instead of healing them.

It tells the broken, “Stay broken.”

2. It blesses desires instead of discipling them.

It tells the lost, “Your impulses are holy.”

3. It removes boundaries instead of creating safety.

It tells the vulnerable, “There is no path.”

4. It redefines identity instead of anchoring it in God.

It tells the confused, “Your feelings are your truth.”

5. It calms conscience instead of forming character.

It tells the sinner, “You don’t need transformation.”

6. It opposes correction instead of welcoming rescue.

It tells the drowning, “The water is where you belong.”

This is not compassion.
This is cruelty with a soft voice.

No one’s dignity is restored by affirming what destroys them.

True Compassion Will Not Support a Lie

Truth without love is brutality.
Love without truth is betrayal.

This is why Scripture repeatedly links compassion to righteousness, justice, and holiness:

• “Mercy and truth have met together.” (Ps 85:10)
• “Speaking the truth in love.” (Eph 4:15)
• “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
• “Sanctify them by Your truth.” (John 17:17)

Biblical compassion enters suffering—
but refuses to legitimize bondage.

Biblical compassion weeps with the hurting—
but refuses to affirm the falsehood that caused the hurt.

Biblical compassion lifts the sinner—
but refuses to bless the sin.

Because:

God’s truth does not suppress dignity.
It restores it.

And God’s compassion does not deny truth.
It delivers people into truth.

This Is the Moment for Courageous, Tender Clarity

As you shepherd your families into the second quarter—
teaching God’s design for husbands, wives, parents, children, identity, and discipleship—
this text becomes essential.

Your church must understand:

• We reject cultural definitions of compassion.
• We refuse to participate in moral inversion.
• We embrace truth not because we’re harsh, but because we’re healing.
• We embrace compassion not because we’re soft, but because we’re Christlike.
• We cannot restore dignity by blessing deception.

This is the prophetic clarity your people need
to stand firm in a world that rewards compromise
and punishes conviction.

Reflection Questions

1. Where have I been pressured to call good “evil” or evil “good”?
2. Do I avoid speaking truth to avoid conflict or rejection?
3. Am I confusing compassion with permissiveness?
4. When I minister to others, do I offer comfort and correction?

Practice for Today

Pray:

“Lord, give me clarity without cruelty,
courage without arrogance,
and compassion without compromise.”

Then reflect on one area in your life
where God is calling you to embrace His truth
even if the culture calls it “evil.”