What is the Definition of Evil?
Evil is a complex concept that the Bible addresses throughout its pages. At its most basic, evil refers to anything that opposes God’s good and perfect will. The Bible makes it clear that God is perfectly good and holy (Psalm 119:68, 1 John 1:5). Therefore, anything that contradicts His nature or acts against His desires is considered evil.
There are several Hebrew and Greek words in Scripture that are translated into English as “evil.” These words can refer to moral wickedness, distress, harm, calamity, disaster, or unhappiness. The range of meanings shows that evil takes many forms in the Bible. Let’s explore some of the key ways the Bible describes evil:
Moral Evil
Moral evil refers to wicked thoughts and actions that go against God’s commands. The Old Testament word for evil, “ra'”, indicates something morally reprehensible or ethically crooked. Genesis 6:5 states that human wickedness grieved God’s heart: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
The New Testament words for evil, “poneros” and “kakos,” refer to inner moral corruption and departure from God’s righteous ways. Jesus taught that moral sins like sexual immorality, theft, and slander defile a person’s heart and distance them from God (Mark 7:20-23). Paul contrasts evil behaviors like rage, anger, and hatred with the goodness of God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21).
When humans willfully disobey God’s commands, they commit moral evil. The Bible is clear that we have all sinned and face God’s judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Without Jesus Christ’s redemption, we would all be helplessly trapped in evil.
Natural Evil
Natural evil refers to bad things that happen in the world but are not caused by moral choices. Examples include natural disasters, diseases, birth defects, and animal suffering. While moral evil stems from human sin, natural evil is part of the corruption of creation caused by the fall in Genesis 3.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the ground and told Adam that “cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17). Sin marred the perfect world God intended, subjecting it to decay and trouble. Romans 8:20-22 explains that the whole creation has been groaning in bondage to corruption. Natural disasters, viruses, and DNA defects reveal that brokenness on all levels.
While God is not the author of evil (1 Corinthians 14:33), He does allow natural evil to exist as a result of humankind’s turn from Him. Natural evil serves as a reminder that sin has consequences not just for us, but for all of creation. Our hope rests in the promise that the curse of evil will one day be defeated and creation restored (Revelation 21:1-5).
The Forces of Evil
Not all evil is simply the result of human choices. The Bible indicates that powerful dark forces of evil exist in opposition to God’s good plans. These forces consist of Satan and other demonic beings who actively seek to corrupt, harm, and destroy God’s creation.
Satan appears in Scripture as the devil, the serpent who tempted Eve, the accuser, the ruler of demons, the god of this age, and the prince of the power of the air (Revelation 12:9, Genesis 3:1, Job 1:6-12, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2). Though created good by God, Satan rebelled due to pride and now exerts evil influence in the world as God’s adversary (Isaiah 14:12-14, 1 Peter 5:8).
Satan heads a host of demonic forces that oppose God’s work. Demons in the Bible are unclean spirits that afflict people with physical, mental, and spiritual bondage (Mark 5:1-20). They promote idolatry and false doctrine (1 Corinthians 10:20-21, 1 Timothy 4:1). Though powerful, demons are limited by God’s sovereign control over them (Job 1:12, Mark 1:27). Through Jesus, believers have authority to resist the devil and overcome evil forces at work in the world (James 4:7, 1 John 3:8).
Overcoming Evil
If evil is so pervasive, is there any hope for defeating it? Thankfully, the Bible’s overall story is one of God overcoming evil and rescuing humanity from its grip. Though evil is real, it is also temporary. God promises that one day He will fully eradicate evil and establish a world of perfect righteousness and justice.
Evil in all its forms will ultimately be conquered through Jesus Christ. By dying on the cross for sinners, Jesus paid the penalty for evil and offers forgiveness and new life to all who believe (Colossians 2:13-15). At His second coming, Jesus will completely destroy all evil, defeat Satan, and create “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Until then, Christians can take heart that God uses even evil occurrences to accomplish good purposes (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28). By trusting Him, we can overcome the evil in our hearts with His love (1 John 3:7-10). While spiritual warfare is real, God’s power protecting believers is greater (1 John 4:4). Walking in Jesus’ steps enables us to live as children of light in the darkness (Ephesians 5:8-10).
The hope and calling for Christians is to keep doing good even when facing evil (Romans 12:21). God promises that the suffering and brokenness of this age are not worthy of comparison to the glory to come (Romans 8:18). By clinging to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we can have bold confidence that God will defeat evil once for all (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Key Points:
– Evil opposes God’s good plans and righteous commands. It takes many forms, including moral wickedness, natural disasters, demons, and Satan himself.
– All people have sinned and are guilty of moral evil in God’s eyes. Through Christ, evil hearts can be redeemed and transformed.
– Natural evil entered the world at the fall, corrupting all of creation. It serves as a reminder that sin has profound consequences.
– Satan and demons actively promote evil in the world. Yet God’s power limits them, and believers have authority in Christ to resist.
– Jesus came to conquer evil by dying for sinners on the cross. At His return, He will eradicate all evil and make righteousness dwell in the new creation.
– Christians can take heart that God works even through evil circumstances, and His grace enables them to overcome darkness with light. The end of evil is guaranteed through Jesus.