The Biblical Congruency of Evil

Evil has existed throughout the course of human history. Where does evil come from and what is the origin story of evil? In a previous article, we discussed The Biblical Congruency of Sin. We argued, Biblically, that sin is lawlessness. This means that all evil is rooted in rebellion against the righteousness of God. According to the Bible, the congruency of evil began, and always begins, with a desirous thought.

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8:7-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

So where does evil come from?

 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I John‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Evil comes from the desire to rebel. It begins with Satan, the devil. He was one of God’s most beautiful creations; an angel known as the son of the morning. Lucifer desired to be greater than all of God’s creation, majesty, and holiness. He wanted to be God. In this desire, he arrogantly and proudly conspired rebellion in his heart. He chose to rebel against the Almighty, the Most High. Through free will, Satan transformed his desire into rebellion.

““How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭14:12-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

In the scripture, the heart always represents our desires. It betrays the spirit of humanity, with thoughts contrary to the holiness of God. The heart, because of the virus of sin, desires to do evil. Satan conspired in his heart, spoke his desire, and then acted upon it. This rebellion will lead to his destruction. Jesus warned us of the heart and its desires.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” (Matthew‬ ‭15:18-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

This is why the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words:“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

So how does Satan’s rebellion affect humanity?

Humanists and atheists believe they can achieve their own morality and perfect man with out the need of God. The righteousness of man fails every time because of the corruption of the heart due to the elicit temptation of selfish desires. The issue for humanity is that a virus festers inside us all, preventing perfection. Man’s rebellious desires are perpetuated through the temptation of Satan.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”‭‭ (1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭KJV)‬‬

Satan hates God’s creation. He craves destruction because of his hatred of all that is good and holy. He is the great deceiver.

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (I John‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Satan blinds us, through temptation, with desires based on deceptive lies. Our sin separates us from God and from His truth.

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭ESV)‬‬

The congruency of evil flows from the temptation of Satan, to desire, consummating in the very act of rebellion, which leads to death. God did not create evil; it comes from our consent to be tempted by Satan.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (‭‭James‬ ‭1:13-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

So our sin leads to eternal death?

Yes, our sin leads leads to an eternity in anguish, but there is hope.

“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6:19, 23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The congruency of evil can only be broken by a sacrifice of pure righteousness. Humanity can’t do this because we are corrupted by the virus of sin. We are polluted with evil desires.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬

So what is the hope that we can have?

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The congruency of evil is destroyed through the justification of the righteousness of Christ and what He did on the cross. Our justification comes by grace and through the free-will act of faith, and of choosing to believe in Jesus Christ as our ransom.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans‬ ‭3:21-26‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬

Are you tired of carrying the baggages of endless guilt and shame due to your sin? Turn to Jesus in faith. Ask Him to redeem you from the congruency of evil that persists in your life. Seek forgiveness and allow Christ to reign as the Supreme Authority in your life.

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭8:36‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬