Evil *What is Evil? The word "evil" is used in God's Word to primarily describe the force that opposes God and His work of righteousness in the world (Romans 7:8-19 "... But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire ..."). There are also isolated examples where it is used for any disturbance to the harmonious order of the universe, such as disease (Psalm 41:8). The ultimate source of evil in the world is Satan [refer to "Satan"], also called "the devil" in Luke 8:12 and "the wicked one" in Matthew 13:19. Evil also comes from the hearts or inner desires of people as told by (Mark 7:20-23). It does not come from God because in James 1:13 states "for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He himself tempt anyone". --- EVIL (New Unger's Bible Dictionary) EVIL. The comprehensive term under which all disturbances of the divinely appointed harmony of the universe are included. Christian doctrine, in accordance with the Scriptures, carefully distinguishes between physical and moral evil. Physical Evil. It is often called natural evil and is disorder in the physical world. Such physical causes as militate against physical well-being are therefore called evils. That such evils are, to some extent at least, the effect or penalty of sin is a clear teaching of Scripture (Gen 3:10-12; 6:13). To what extent physical sufferings are the necessary means to greater good is, however, a great question. Moral Evil. This is sin, disorder in the moral world. It is the failure of rational and free beings to conform in character and conduct to the will of God. This is the greatest evil (see Rom 1:18-32). How the existence of evil is compatible with the goodness of God is the question of theodicy. (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.) --- *What is an Evildoer? Anyone who does evil or any wicked act. In Mark 7:20-23 "He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" *The appearance of evil: This is where actions portray that evil will occur or has already occurred without the presence of evil. For example, someone that buys illegal drugs or enters a strip club implies that something evil is about to happen when in reality both incidents may be very innocent. The illegal drug purchaser could be in need for a science experiment not involving the ingestion of the drugs and the person entering the strip club could be passing out Bibles. Whatever the case, the evil is implied and should always be avoided. The Apostle Paul states it clearly in Romans 14:20-21 "... but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." *Bible References: Deuteronomy 18:9-12 "When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you." (from New International Version) Proverbs 11:5-6 "The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires." (from New International Version) Matthew 13:24-30 "Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28 "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29 "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" (from New International Version) Matthew 13:37-39 "He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels." (from New International Version) Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." (from New International Version) Mark 7:20-23 "He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" (from New International Version) Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters." (from New International Version) Luke 11:24-26 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." (from New International Version) Romans 7:7-20 "What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (from New International Version) Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (from New International Version) Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (from New International Version) Ephesians 4:18-19 "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." (from New International Version) Ephesians 6:12-13 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power." (from New International Version) Galatians 3:22 "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." (from New International Version) Colossians 1:13-14 "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (from New International Version) 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 "For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." (from New International Version) 2 Timothy 3:1-8 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth-men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected." (from New International Version) James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." (from New International Version) James 3:14-16 "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (from New International Version) 1 John 1:6 "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." (from New International Version) Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: The world looks at evil with filtered glasses. For some reason the, so called, right of a mother to abort her unborn child is not considered evil while the murder of a young child is evil. For the most part evil is the intentional doing bad or hurting another living, breathing creature. *Overview: Evil is actually the force that opposes God and His work of righteousness in the world. The ultimate source of evil in the world is Satan [refer to "Satan"] but is also created by our own sinful nature. *Additional Links: blank