What is Evil Really?

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

There are many Greek words used in the Bible for ‘evil’ but ‘Poneo’ seems to be the most prominent and has several definitions attached to it. From the New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance, we find the following,

Word Origin:  from poneó (to toil)
Definition:  toilsome, bad

Translation:  bad, crimes, envious, envy, evil, evil one, evil things, malignant, more evil, more wicked, vicious, wicked, wicked man, wicked thing, worthless.

People calling evil good and good evil is obviously not a new concept. This happens all around us every day. People avoid even using the word ‘evil’ because it seems so severe. But if we look at some of the translations in the Bible we find that ‘evil’ even stands for what some consider less severe emotions such as envy, or less severe actions such as things that are worthless or toilsome (tiresome). God knows what evil is, but do we?

Isaiah says woe to those who reverse good and evil but that is what is happening in our world today. Things like worthless pursuits, wicked actions or thoughts, vicious words, things that are crimes against God and man are considered to be our prerogative and, at times, even our responsibility.

When were we taught to believe that nothing is seriously evil or that there is a hierarchy of evil and sin? When did the word ‘evil’ become taboo? This did not come from God.

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)

Since God hates evil as it is mentioned in the Bible and in the original Greek, He hates worthless pursuits, vicious words, just as much as crimes such as murder. There is no hierarchy of sin with God. Sin is sin. Evil is evil. God does not accept and will not tolerate such behavior from His children.

We fool ourselves when we think looking at dirty photos online is not big deal.  We fool ourselves when we seek after instant money by playing the lottery or telling a ‘white’ lie. We fool ourselves when we are envious of our neighbor’s lifestyle and think we deserve more.  But God is not fooled. He is not pleased. He does not say to himself, “well that’s not so bad”.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

As a Christians of this generation we face new evils that were not even thought of in the past. Technology, although bringing a lot of good, also brings a lot of evil and evil opportunities. Electronics, games, Television, movies, and computers provide opportunities for evil. Never before have we been able to see and hear everything that is going on in our world or in the government almost instantaneously. Never before have people doing evil deeds been able to promote their actions and deceive us into thinking they are right.

Because information bombards us so rapidly and continuously, we don’t have time to pray or study God’s word before either jumping into the fray or not. No wonder God wants us to be still and know that He is God. He knew this was coming. He knew we needed time to think about His point of view of what is happening on earth today.

When we take the time to draw closer to God and to follow His teachings, He will deliver us from evil. He will make us aware of what type of evil is being set before us. He will help us discern what is good and right and just. We need to ask Him for this discernment and knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with them.

Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

It is not rocket science (another important technology). We need to recognize evil and call it what it is. We need to leave it behind us while we strive to do the next right thing every minute of every day.

In the days before the flood, God was grieved with man. Now we must show Him that His children who are called by His name know what evil is and we will stand against it.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Genesis 6:5)

Prayer: Lord, deliver us from evil every day. We need Your strength and wisdom to withstand the evil that comes against us. We rely on Your love and protection as we stand up for good and what is right in Your sight even when the world around us disagrees. Help us stand Lord. And if we fall, help us to get up again. You are all that matters and if we follow Your teaching, we will know what evil is. Amen.