Reference: Evil
Hastings
EVIL is an older form of the word 'ill'; used, both as substantive and adjective, to tr various synonyms and ranging in meaning from physical unfitness to moral wickedness. The former is archaic, but occurs in Ge 28:8 (Authorized Version margin), Ex 21:8 (Authorized Version margin), Jer 24:3 (AV), and Mt 7:18, though the two last passages are not without an ethical tinge. But the word almost invariably connotes what is either morally corrupt (see Sin) or injurious to life and happiness.
1. In the OT the two meanings are at first scarcely differentiated. Whatever comes to man from without is, to begin with, attributed simply to God (Am 3:6; La 3:38; Eze 14:9; Isa 45:7). Destruction is wrought by His angels (Ex 12:23; 2Sa 24:16; Ps 78:49). Moral temptations come from Him (2Sa 24:1; 1Ki 22:23), though there is a tendency to embody them in beings which, though belonging to the host of heaven, are spoken of as evil or lying spirits (1Sa 16:14; Jg 9:23; 1Ki 22:22). The serpent of the Fall narrative cannot be pressed to mean more than a symbol of temptation, though the form which the temptation takes suggests hostility to the will of God external to the spirit of the woman (2Co 11:3, cf. Ge 3:1-3). Then later we have the figure of the Adversary or Satan, who, though still dependent on the will of God, is nevertheless so identified with evil that he is represented as taking the initiative in seduction (Zec 3:1; 1Ch 21:1, but cf. 2Sa 24:1). This marks the growth of the sense of God's holiness (De 32:4 etc.), the purity which cannot behold evil (Hab 1:13); and correspondingly sharpens the problem. Heathen gods are now identified with demons opposed to the God of Israel (De 32:17; Ps 106:37; cf. 1Co 10:20). This tendency, increased perhaps by Persian influence, becomes dominant in apocryphal literature (2Pe 2:4 and Jude 1:6 are based on the Book of Enoch), where the fallen angels are a kingdom at war with the Kingdom of God.
2. In the NT moral evil is never ascribed to God (Jas 1:13), being essentially hostile to His mind and will (Ro 1:18-21; 5:10; 1Jo 1:5-7; 2:16,29; 3:4,9); but to the Evil One (Mt 6:13; 13:19; 1Jo 5:19), an active and personal being identical with the Devil (Mt 13:39; Joh 8:44) or Satan (Mt 4:10; Mr 4:15; Lu 22:31; Joh 13:27), who with his angels (Mt 25:41) is cast down from heaven (Re 12:9, cf. Lu 10:18), goes to and fro in the earth as the universal adversary (1Pe 5:8; Eph 4:27; 6:11; Jas 4:7), and will be finally imprisoned with his ministering spirits (Re 20:2,10, cf. Mt 25:41). Pain and suffering are ascribed sometimes to God (Re 3:19; 1Th 3:3; Heb 12:5-11), inasmuch as all things work together for good to those that love Him (Ro 8:28); sometimes to Satan (Lu 13:16; 2Co 12:7) and the demons (Mt 8:28 etc.), who are suffered to hurt the earth for a season (Re 9:1-11; 12:12).
The speculative question of the origin of evil is not resolved in Holy Scripture, being one of those things of which we are not competent judges (see Butler's Analogy, i. 7, cf. 1Co 13:12). Pain is justified by the redemption of the body (Ro 8:18-25; 1Pe 4:13), punishment by the peaceable fruits of righteousness (Heb 12:7-11), and the permission of moral evil by the victory of the Cross (Joh 12:31; Ro 8:37-39; Col 2:15; 1Co 15:24-28). Accept the facts and look to the end is the teaching of the Bible as a guide to practical religion (Jas 5:11). Beyond this we enter the region of that high theology which comprehensive thinkers like Aquinas or Calvin have not shrunk from formulating, but which, so far as it is dealt with in the NT, appears rather as a by-product of evangelical thought, than as the direct purpose of revelation (as, e.g., in Ro 9, where God's elective choice is stated only as the logical presupposition of grace). St. Paul is content to throw the responsibility for the moral facts of the universe upon God (Ro 9:19-24; cf. Job 33:12; Ec 5:2; Isa 29:16), who, however, is not defined as capricious and arbitrary power, but revealed as the Father, who loves the creatures of His hand, and has foreordained all things to a perfect consummation in Christ the Beloved (Eph 1:3-14 etc.).
J. G. Simpson.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals Jehovah God had made. He said to the woman: Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden? The woman said to the serpent: We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. read more. However, God did say: 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not touch it, or you will die.'
It was clear to Esau that his father despised the local Canaanite women.
Jehovah will pass through to strike the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, Jehovah will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to kill you.
If she does not please the master who has chosen her as a wife, he must let her be bought back by one of her close relatives. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has treated her unfairly.
He is the Rock! His work is perfect. For all His ways are just. He is a God of faithfulness and without evil. He is just and upright.
They sacrificed to demons that are not God. They served gods they did not know. These were new gods who came from nearby, gods your ancestors never worshiped.
No man will be able to resist you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous for you will help this people inherit the land. This is the land I swore to give to their fathers. read more. Be strong and very courageous, that you may be careful to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
She said: Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers return and afterward go your way.
You should keep a space of a thousand yards between you and the ark. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way before.
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Jehovah's Spirit left Saul, and a distressing spirit sent by Jehovah tormented him.
Jehovah became angry at Israel again. He provoked David to turn against Israel. He said: Go count the people of Israel and Judah.
Jehovah became angry at Israel again. He provoked David to turn against Israel. He said: Go count the people of Israel and Judah.
But I tell you, Job, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man.
He sent his fierce burning anger, his rage and fury against them. He sent an army of destroying angels.
They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons.
Do not be in a hurry to talk. Do not be eager to speak in the presence of God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, limit the number of your words.
You have it all backwards. A clay dish does not say to the potter, You did not make me. And should the one made say to the maker, You do not understand?
I make light and create darkness. I make blessings and create disasters. I, Jehovah, do all these things.
Then Jehovah said to me: What do you see, Jeremiah? I said: Figs. The good figs are very good. The bad figs are very bad. They cannot be eaten because they are rotten.
Do not calamities and good things come from the mouth of the Most High?
If a prophet is tricked into giving a prophecy, it is I, Jehovah, who tricked the prophet. I will use my power against you and destroy you from among my people Israel.
Will the trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Will disaster happen to a city and Jehovah not cause it?
Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You cannot look at perversity. Why do you look at treacherous persons and not act? Why do you keep quiet when the wicked destroy the man who is more righteous?
He showed me Joshua the high priest. Joshua was standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan was standing at his right hand to be his adversary.
Go away, Satan! demanded Jesus. It is written, It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.' (Deuteronomy 6:13-15)
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (the wicked one).' (Psalm 82:4) (Psalm 97:10) (Matthew 13:19) (John 17:15) (1 John 5:19)
A good tree does not give bad fruit. A bad tree does not give good fruit.
When he arrived at the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarenes two men possessed by demons came to him from out of the tombs. They were extremely violent, so no man could pass by that way.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one takes away that which was sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels.
Then he will tell those on his left: 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels.
Then he will tell those on his left: 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels.
These are they by the wayside where the word is sown. When they have heard; Satan comes and takes away the word that has been sown in them.
He said to them: I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven.
Here is a descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years. Should she be released on the Sabbath?
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat.
You are from your father [Satan] the Devil (slanderer) (false accuser)! You want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning. He does not stand for the truth. There is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks his own lies. He is a liar and the father of the lie!
Now judgment is on this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
After he was given the piece of bread Satan entered him. Jesus said to him: Do what you do quickly.
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them. read more. His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse, for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.
While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son. Being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation (revelation) (disclosure) of the sons of God. read more. For the creation was subject to corruption, not by it's own will but by reason of the one who subjected it on the basis of hope. The creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and is in pain together until now. We also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption and the release from our bodies by ransom. We are saved by this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For does a man hope for what he sees? If we hope for what we do not see, do we have patience to wait for it?
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, read more. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 6:12)
You say to me: Why does he yet find fault? Who resists his purpose (will)? Yes, but you, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: Why have you made me this way? (Isaiah 45:9) read more. Or does the potter not have authority over the clay? Can he make out of the same lump one vessel to honor, and another for common use? (Jeremiah 18:6) If God decided to show his wrath and make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fit for destruction. In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory. We are the ones he has also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the nations.
But I say, that the things that the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, and then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds will be lead away from the simplicity and the purity (cleanness) that is toward Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ. He chose us through him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. read more. He predetermined (ordained) us to adoption, as sons to himself through Jesus Christ, according to the kind intention of his will. This is to the praise of the glory of his kindness, with which he freely honored us, the loved ones. In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. He made this undeserved kindness abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence (insight). He made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure and purpose. It was for an administration at the appointed time. This administration is to gather up all things in Christ, the things in heaven, and the things upon the earth. Yes in him! We were assigned as heirs predetermined according to his purpose. He works all things according to his direction and will. We who were first to hope in Christ should serve to the praise of his glory. You have heard the word of the truth in Christ. It is the good news about your salvation. You also believed and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a guarantee that we will receive our inheritance. This assures us that God will set us free to the praise of his glory.
Do not give the devil an opportunity.
Put on the full armor (every implement) of God, that you may be able to stand against the cunning (inventive) (clever) methods of the devil.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities! He made a public display of them triumphing over them.
You have forgotten the exhortation that reasons with you as to sons: My son, do not despise (regard lightly) discipline from Jehovah and do not lose heart when he corrects you. (Proverbs 3:11, 12) Jehovah disciplines those he loves. In fact he scourges every son (child) he receives. read more. God deals with you like children. Endure discipline (instruction) (training). Who is the child whom a father does not discipline?
God deals with you like children. Endure discipline (instruction) (training). Who is the child whom a father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, you are illegitimate children, and not sons.
If you are without discipline, you are illegitimate children, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous. In fact it seems grievous! Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained.
Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous. In fact it seems grievous! Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained.
Let no man say when he is tempted: God tempts me. God cannot be tempted with evil, and he tempts (entices) (tests) (trys) no one.
Be subject to God! Resist [Satan] the Devil and he will flee from you.
As you know, those who have endured are called blessed. You have heard of the patience (perseverance) (endurance) of Job, and have seen the outcome Jehovah provided, how he was very tender with his affection and mercy. (Psalm 103:8)
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour (consume).
God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to captivity in pits of darkness reserved for judgment!
Angels who did not keep their position left their proper habitation. He has kept them in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
I reprove and discipline those whom I love: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The fifth angel blew his trumpet. I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. The key of the bottomless pit was given to him. He opened the bottomless pit. Smoke came out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace. The smoke from the pit darkened the sun and the air. read more. Out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth. Power was given to them like the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. The locusts were not to kill them, but should torment them for five months: and their torment was the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a man. Men will seek death in those days and will not find it. They will desire to die and death will elude them. The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. They wore gold crowns on their heads and their faces were like the faces of men. Their hair was like the hair of women. Their teeth were like the teeth of lions. They had breastplates like iron. The sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots with many horses running to battle. Their tails were like scorpions' tails, for there were stings in their tails. They had power to hurt men five months. The angel of the bottomless pit was their king. His name in the Hebrew language is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
The great dragon was thrown down, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was hurled down to the earth, and his angels with him.
Therefore rejoice (be glad), you heavens, and you that dwell in them. But woe to the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having fierce anger, because he knows that he has only a short time.
He seized the dragon, the old serpent that is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
The devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are, and will be tormented day and night forever.