28/06/2025
What does the Bible teach us about evil?
The Bible's definition of evil is multifaceted, encompassing both moral and physical aspects, and is fundamentally understood in relation to God's character and His good creation. Here's a breakdown:
Deviation from God's Goodness and Will:
At its core, evil is anything that departs from God's good intentions in creation. God created everything "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Evil, in this sense, is a corruption or distortion of what was originally good.
It is anything that is contrary to God's nature, character, or revealed will. God is holy, righteous, just, and loving. Evil is the opposite of these attributes.
Violation of divine design: This is a concise way to put it. When something that God intended for good is twisted for self-serving or destructive purposes, it becomes evil.
Moral Evil (Sin):
This is the most common understanding of evil in the biblical sense. Moral evil refers to human thoughts, words, and actions that are contrary to God's moral law.
Sin is the transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). It's "missing the mark" of God's standard of righteousness.
It stems from disobedience, rebellion, and a preference for one's own desires over God's. The fall of humanity in Genesis 3, through Adam and Eve's disobedience, introduced moral evil into the world.
Examples include murder, theft, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, pride, and other internal dispositions or external actions that dishonor God and harm others (Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:28-32).
The Bible makes it clear that God is not the author of moral evil (sin). It originates from human and angelic rebellion (James 1:13-15; Isaiah 14:12-15).
Physical/Natural Evil (Calamity/Suffering):
The Bible also uses the term "evil" (especially the Hebrew word ra'ah) to refer to calamity, disaster, misfortune, suffering, or hardship.
This can include natural disasters, disease, pain, and death.
While not always a direct result of individual sin, these are seen as part of a fallen world that is subject to decay and bo***ge due to the pervasive nature of sin (Romans 8:19-23).
Sometimes, God uses these "evils" (calamities) for righteous purposes, such as judgment, discipline, or to draw people to Himself (Isaiah 45:7, where "evil" is often translated as "calamity" or "disaster" in modern versions).
Relational Evil:
Evil often manifests in broken relationships – with God and with fellow humans. It diminishes life and introduces chaos and distress.
It is found in actions and attitudes that go against the love and respect that God intends for all relationships.
In summary, the Bible defines evil primarily as a corruption of good, a deviation from God's perfect will and character, and a transgression of His law (sin). It is not an independent entity but rather a perversion of what God originally created as good.
