Definition and Nature of Evil

In the biblical context, evil is understood as anything that is contrary to the holy and righteous nature of God. It encompasses both moral evil, which includes sin and wickedness, and natural evil, which refers to suffering and calamities in the world. The Bible presents evil as a reality that entered the world through the disobedience of humanity, as seen in the account of the Fall in Genesis 3.

God's Holiness and Righteousness

God's perspective on evil is rooted in His inherent holiness and righteousness. The Bible consistently affirms that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). His eyes are too pure to look on evil, and He cannot tolerate wrongdoing (Habakkuk 1:13). This divine purity sets the standard by which all actions and thoughts are judged.

The Origin of Evil

Evil is not a creation of God but a corruption of the good that God created. The Bible attributes the origin of moral evil to the rebellion of Satan and the subsequent fall of humanity. In Genesis 3, the serpent's deception leads to Adam and Eve's disobedience, introducing sin and death into the world. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned."

God's Sovereignty Over Evil

While God is not the author of evil, He is sovereign over it. The Bible illustrates that God can use evil to accomplish His purposes without being tainted by it. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people." This demonstrates God's ability to bring about His divine will even through human wickedness.

God's Judgment on Evil

God's perspective on evil includes a commitment to justice and judgment. The Bible declares that God will not leave the guilty unpunished (Nahum 1:3). Throughout Scripture, God judges nations and individuals for their wickedness, as seen in the accounts of the Flood (Genesis 6-9), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), and the various judgments against Israel and other nations. Revelation 20:12-13 describes the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds.

God's Provision for Redemption

Central to God's perspective on evil is His provision for redemption through Jesus Christ. Despite the pervasive presence of evil, God offers salvation and reconciliation. John 3:16 affirms, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are delivered from the power of sin and death.

The Defeat of Evil

The Bible assures that evil will ultimately be defeated. In the eschatological vision of Revelation, God promises a new heaven and a new earth where evil, pain, and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). The final victory over evil is secured through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who "disarmed the powers and authorities" and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15).

The Call to Resist Evil

Believers are called to resist evil and pursue righteousness. Ephesians 6:11 exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." The Bible encourages believers to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) and to live lives that reflect God's holiness and love.