Subscription Lists
The Way
by Kevin Pauley
This is why I have used the prophets to cut them down; I have killed them with the words of My mouth. My judgment strikes like lightning. For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But they, like Adam, have violated the covenant; there they have betrayed Me. - Hosea 6:5-7 HCSB
From time to time, you will find people who will present you with false dichotomies. For example, they will say silly things like, “There is evil in the world. If God wants to do something about it and cannot, then He is weak and unworthy of my worship. If God is powerful enough to do something and does not, then He is cruel and unworthy of my worship.” The fact of the matter is that the presence of both evil and good in the universe is evidence of a benevolent Lord, because it is proof that He has granted us a free will.
Others will superficially consider the concept of free will and come to the fallacy that if there is to be true free will, then there must be a choice between good and evil. For there to be a choice, then both good and evil must have existed prior to the free agent’s opportunity to make that choice. Since God created all things, God must have created (a) evil or (b) our yetzer hara, which is our tendency toward sin.
This line of thought goes directly against the Scriptures. Elohim is so holy that even the heavens are not pure in His eyes.[1] He is righteous, He loves justice and only the upright will know Him.[2] No one should say “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”[3]
This fallacy creates a contradiction in the Scripture, and belies an inherent misunderstanding of the nature and origin of evil. The Devil (whom God originally created as a holy being)[4] cannot create something on his own. He took a good thing and pushed it so hard, it twisted into evil. The Devil did not just want to be holy LIKE God[5] – he wanted to BE God.[6] Every evil thing is something good twisted. Sex is good – lust is evil. Ambition is good – greed is evil. Forgiveness is good – a cowardly unwillingness to confront sin is evil.
This gives us hope, for who do you think will win the ultimate battle? The God who can create, or the Devil who can only use the scraps he finds on the battlefield?[7][3] James 1:13-15 HCSB
[4] Ezekiel 29:12b-17 where as in Matthew 16:23 God is addressing not only the human but the force behind him.
[5] Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7,26; 22:32; Numbers 15:40; Deuteronomy 7:6
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "The Way" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.