But It Ain't What It Ain't

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

         A common aphorism today is “It is what it is.” In fact, it’s the title of a piece I wrote, as well as a message I have brought to women. It’s often used to show the inevitability of a situation, but it’s sometimes used to legitimize the illegitimate. It occurred to me recently that just as there are things that are what they are, there are also things that are not what some people say they are. Here are a few examples:

ä Two “consenting adults” of the same sex engaging in a sexual relationship may be a couple, but it’s not a marriage; it’s perversion.

ä Deliberate abortion (or “aborticide,” as my son calls it) may be a legislative choice, but it’s not a constitutional right; it’s the taking of a life.

ä New Age teaching may be “spiritual,” but it’s not Christian; it’s pagan idolatry.

ä God Almighty, the God of heaven and earth is a Father only to those who have trusted His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior (Gal. 3:26). Everyone else has a different father (Jno. 8:44).  

         It is what it is; but it ain’t what it ain’t. My word usage may be questionable, but not my reasoning. We can give kinder, more medicinal names to gross sins, but that doesn’t change their standing before God. Someone who doesn’t tell the truth may be called a prevaricator, but God still says he or she is a liar. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Do not give fair names to foul sins; call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter.”  Make sure when you say, “It is what is what it is,” it really is. And don’t be afraid to say when it’s not. “…but let you yea be yea; and your nay nay…” (James 5:12b).