Clicky

Did God Create Evil? – Viral Believer
Skip to content

Did God Create Evil?

Introduction

As Christians, we often face challenging questions from both believers and non-believers about the nature of God, and one such question that frequently arises is whether God created evil.

This thought-provoking question pushes us to delve deeper into our understanding of God’s character and the Scriptures, exploring how evil came into existence and how it relates to God’s divine plan.

In this blog post, we will explore the nature of God and evil, and how they interrelate, considering biblical evidence and interpretations from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

We will address the origins of evil, the role of free will, and the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty in the midst of a fallen world. By the end of this post, you will have a clearer understanding of the complex relationship between God and evil and be better equipped to answer the question, “Did God create evil?”

Did God Create Evil?

God’s Nature and the Existence of Evil

To understand whether God created evil, it’s essential to first examine God’s nature as described in the Bible. In 1 John 4:8 (NKJV), we read that “God is love.” This essential characteristic of God suggests that He is the embodiment of everything good and pure.

In James 1:17 (NKJV), the Bible further states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” These verses emphasize that God is the source of all goodness and that there is no evil in Him.

So, if God is purely good, where does evil come from? In Isaiah 45:7 (NKJV), God says, “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

Some might interpret this verse to mean that God directly creates evil; however, the original Hebrew word for “calamity” is more accurately understood as “disaster” or “misfortune.”

This verse does not imply that God creates moral evil, but rather that He has the power to bring about judgments and consequences as a result of human sin.

The Role of Free Will

The Bible teaches that God created humanity with free will, giving us the ability to make choices between good and evil. The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2-3 (NKJV) demonstrates the consequences of the first humans exercising their free will and choosing to disobey God’s command, which resulted in sin entering the world.

Free will is a critical aspect of God’s design, allowing us to have a genuine, loving relationship with Him. However, with this gift of choice comes the potential for sin and evil.

Romans 5:12 (NKJV) states, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”

Although God did not create evil directly, the existence of evil is a byproduct of humanity’s free will and our choice to disobey God.

Satan and the Origins of Evil

Another vital factor in understanding the origins of evil is the role of Satan. The Bible reveals that Satan was originally an angel named Lucifer who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, NKJV).

As the embodiment of evil, Satan is often referred to as the “father of lies” (John 8:44, NKJV) and is the one who tempts and deceives humanity, leading us into sin (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV).

While God did not create Satan as an evil being, the corruption of Lucifer’s heart and his rebellion against God led to the birth of evil. This transformation highlights that evil originates from the choices made by created beings, whether human or angelic, rather than from God Himself.

God’s Sovereignty in a Fallen World

Although God did not create evil, He remains sovereign and in control over all things, even in a world tainted by sin. In Romans 8:28 (NKJV), we are assured that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

This verse demonstrates that God can bring about good from evil circumstances and that His ultimate plan is not thwarted by the existence of evil.

Moreover, God’s sovereignty is evident in His plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection provide a way for humanity to be reconciled to God, overcoming the power of sin and evil (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, NKJV).

God’s ultimate triumph over evil is prophesied in Revelation, where Satan will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire, marking the end of evil and the ushering in of a new heaven and earth (Revelation 20:10, 21:1-4, NKJV).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can confidently assert that God did not create evil. Instead, evil is a byproduct of the free will God granted to humanity and the angelic beings, as well as the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against Him.

While God’s character is purely good and loving, the existence of evil in the world is a result of the choices made by His created beings.

Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that God remains sovereign over all things, even in a world marred by sin and evil. His plan for redemption through Jesus Christ offers hope and assurance that evil will ultimately be vanquished.

As Christians, we can trust in God’s goodness and power, knowing that He is working all things for our good and His glory, even amidst the presence of evil.

As we continue to grow in our faith and understanding of God, may we cling to the truth of His unchanging character and the promise of His ultimate victory over evil. Let us rejoice in the hope we have through Jesus Christ, confident that God’s love and goodness will prevail and that one day, evil will be no more.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.