The Origin of Evil
The Being Who
Sinned First
With whom did sin
originate?
“He who does what
is sinful is of the devil, because
the devil has been sinning from
the beginning. The reason
the Son of God appeared was to
destroy the devil’s work.”
1 John 3:8.
Note - Without the
Bible, the question of the origin of
evil would remain unexplained.
From what time has
the devil been a murderer?
“You belong to
your father, the devil, and you want
to carry out your father’s
desire. He was a murderer
from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no
truth in him. When he lies, he speaks
his native language, for he is a liar
and the father of lies.”
John 8:44.
What is the
devil’s relationship to lying?
“When he lies,
he speaks his native language, for
he is a liar and the father of
lies.”
Verse 44.
Was Satan created
sinful?
“You were
blameless in your ways from the day
you were created till wickedness
was found in you.”
Ezekiel 28:15.
Note – Ezekiel
here refers to Satan under the figure
“king of Tyrus.” (See verse
12.) This, and the statement in John
8:44, that he “abode not
in the truth,” show that Satan
was once perfect, and in the
truth. Peter speaks of “the
angels that sinned” (2
Peter 2:4); and Jude refers to
“the angels that kept their
first estate” (Jude 6).
These angels were once in a state of
sinlessness.
What further
statement of Christ seems to lay the
responsibility for the origin of sin
upon Satan and his angels?
“Then he will
say to those on his left.
‘Depart from me, you who are
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared
for the devil and his angels.”
Matthew 25:41.
Satan and Christ
Contrasted
What led to
Satan’s sin, rebellion, and
downfall?
“Your heart
became proud on account of your
beauty, and you corrupted your
wisdom because of your splendor. So I
threw you to the earth; I made a
spectacle out of you before
kings.” Ezekiel 28:17. “You
said in your heart, “I will
ascend to heaven; I will raise my
throne above the stars of God; I
will sit enthroned on the mount of
the assembly, on the utmost
heights of the sacred mountain. I
will ascend above the top of the
clouds; I will make myself
like the Most High.” Isaiah
14:13,14.
Note – In a word,
pride and self-exaltation led to
Satan’s downfall, and for those
there is no justification or adequate
excuse. “Pride goes before
destruction, and an haughty spirit
before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.
Hence, while we may know of the
origin, cause, character, and results
of evil, no good or sufficient reason
or excuse can be given for it. To
excuse it is to justify it; and the
moment it is justified, it ceases to
be sin. All sin is a manifestation of
selfishness in some form, and its
results finally in its utter
abandonment and banishment forever,
by all created intelligences,
throughout the entire universe of
God. Only those who stubbornly cling
to sin will be destroyed with it. The
wicked will be destroyed, root and
branch (Malachi 4:1), and the
righteous shall “shine as the
brightness of the heavens, and those
who lead many to righteousness, like
the stars for ever and ever.”
(Daniel 12:3).
In contrast with
the pride and self-exaltation
exhibited by Satan, what spirit did
Christ manifest?
“Who, being in
the very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking on the very nature of a
servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in the
likeness as a man humbled himself
and became obedient unto death –
even death on the cross!
Philippians 2: 6-8.
After man had
sinned, how did God show His love and
His willingness to forgive?
“For God so
loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.” John 3:16.
Up and Down
In heaven Satan
sought to lift himself up above God.
He was cast down to earth. On earth
Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted
to the right hand of the Majesty inn
the heavens. We who would go up to
heaven must first go down to the
cross – that old rugged cross,
where Jesus died for sin and where we
die to sin.
Glory to His Name
Down at the cross
where my Savior died,
Down where for
cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was
the blood applied,
Glory to His name.
I am so wondrously
saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly
abides within,
There at the cross
where He took me in,
Glory to His name.
O precious Fountain
that saves from sin!
I am so glad I have
entered in;
There Jesus saves me
and keeps me clean;
Glory to His name.
Come to this Fountain
so rich and sweet;
Cast they poor soul at
the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today and be
made complete;
Glory to His name.
-
E.A. Hoffman.
