Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 NASB

If we cannot correctly identify evil, we cannot reliably distinguish righteousness from wickedness, justice from injustice, or truth from falsehood. Evil is that which is contrary to God’s holy character, violates His righteous standard, or manifests the corruption and brokenness of His Creation. Scripture distinguishes between two categories of evil:

Moral evil is sin and wickedness: thoughts, desires, actions, or omissions contrary to God’s character and commands, including wrongdoing against God or our neighbor.

Natural or physical evil encompasses calamity, disaster, disease, suffering, and death. These are manifestations of creation’s fallen condition, but are not necessarily the result of particular individual sins or acts of moral wrongdoing.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

God’s character establishes the standard. His Word reveals that standard. Wisdom recognizes the distinction. Righteousness acts accordingly.

Govern yourself accordingly.