Why Is There Good And Evil?

Why Is There Good And Evil?

Why is there good and evil? It’s an age old question. And the Bible answers it. Here are some thoughts on what it says.

Why is there good and evil? It starts with a choice

The book of Gensis records that God created Adam and Eve and placed them in a lush, Garden of Eden. A paradise that provided all they needed. But with one caveat. There was a tree in the middle of the garden that was off limits. Why?

Because God gave Adam and Eve free will, which requires a choice. And that’s what the tree represented. Obey God and leave the tree alone. Disobey God and eat from the tree. God could have prevented evil by simply removing the tree from the garden. Obedience is the only choice. Everyone is happy and agreeable because that’s all anyone knows. Kinda like the Stepford wives. Boring maybe, but we wouldn’t know that either.

Instead, God lets us choose our own actions.

Why is there good and evil? Evil results from the presence of sin in the human heart

Evil is not a separate entity. A cosmic force of evil consciousness that sweeps across the human landscape like the Borg and assimilates us into its collective. Evil is the result of humans making wrong choices. Specifically, decisions that disobey God. Like the choice to eat forbidden fruit.

That one act of disobedience let sin enter the world. And since then, sin has infected every human heart and mutated into the most heinous acts of evil with devasting consequences. It is firmly rooted and resident in every human heart. And remains, at its core, the choice to disobey God.

Of course, Adam and Eve didn’t act completely on their own. Satan, disguised as a serpent, slithered into the picture and tempted Eve with the fruit’s delicious appeal. But Adam and Eve were still personally responsible for their decision. And the same is true today. To defeat evil we must each take personal responsibility for our sin. Confess it and ask forgiveness from God. Then our sinful heart becomes a redeemed heart that God transforms into a new creation.

How do you explain good?

God is good and God is love. He is full of compassion, mercy, and grace. And we are all created in His imgage. Therefore, we all posess an inherent, moral sense of right and wrong. And we all can experience and express love, compassion, mercy, and grace in our relationships with others.

So while sin is present in the human heart and makes us capable of unspeakable evil, it doesn’t preclude the capacity for good. For us to consider the needs of others and help our fellow man. However, there is a constant tug of war between what we know is right and the evil desires in our hearts. Even the Apostle Paul shared about this battle in his heart.

 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (ESV, Romans 7:21-25)

So how do you explain why some people are consumed by evil while others focus on good? It’s like a dog fight. The winner is the one you feed.

The final solution to evil is Jesus Christ

God demonstrated the ultimate act of love by sending his Son, Jesus Christ to sacrifice his life for our sins. He lived a sin free life. Died as a perfect sacrifice and rose from the dead three days later. By confessing our sins to him, accepting his forgiveness, and following him as Savior and Lord, our sins are forgiven and we’re set free from the power of sin.

Evil exists because of sin. And sin is a choice to disobey God. However, we can achieve victory over sin through Jesus Christ. And that brings us back to where we started. With a choice. To follow Jesus…or not.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.

Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group?

Check out Philippians Bible Study For Individuals and Groups.

The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why

The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why

The Bible speaks about finding your why. That search for meaning. A sense of purpose. Your mission or calling.

It’s a journey that is essentially, a spiritual experience. And open to all who follow its instructions. Here are three Biblical approaches for finding yours.

The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Has An Eternal Perspective

The Bible teaches that life does not end on earth but stretches into eternity. Heaven and Hell are real places and everyone makes a personal choice that determines their destination.

Although when your worldview ends with this life, then everything in this life increases in importance. And is further complicated by the urgency to accomplish it all in a lifetime compressed into years.

Like your collection of achievements and rewards. The search for meaning and significance. The scramble to check off your bucket list.

But when your mindset extends into a blissful eternity, the pressure is off. Because your sense of ongoing development, purpose and fulfillment continue.

And it’s okay if you don’t get it all together in this life. Because you have eternity to figure it out. In a quality of life that is new and improved.

And this anticipation fuels your endurance on earth. And inspires you with hope.

The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Looks Outward Rather Than Inward

Modern culture encourages you to look within yourself. Get in touch with your feelings. Find your inner strength. Claim what you deserve.

However, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. To look outward rather than inward. Find strength from God, not yourself. Give rather than receive.

It’s radical, contradictory teaching that makes you wonder if Jesus was even sane. He even had the audacity to demand complete allegiance to his teachings.

And claim only those prepared to lose themselves would find themselves. Crazy ideas. Preposterous principles.

And even more bizarre? Still gaining millions of followers for over 2,000 years.

The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Finds It Within God’s Greater Plan

Jesus made it clear that his why was not to establish his own agenda. But to follow the will of his Father.

And while the Bible says he had divine rights, he gave them up to follow his Father’s plan.

A mission not of his choosing. But of sacrifice. Of submission. To save the world.

Submission is practically unheard of today. We prefer to celebrate…even demand our individual rights. And yet, Jesus claimed that path leads to bondage, but his way sets you free.

And so, by imitating him. By submitting to God and seeking His will. You will discover the Biblical path to finding your why.

It’s a radical approach. A narrow road. Simple, but not easy. Yet, leads to spiritual life that is amazing. Spectacular. And eternal.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.

Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group??

Check out Philippians Bible Study For Individuals and Groups.