Listen to Nancy Fitzgerald answer this question on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve.
Since the beginning of time, all people groups have struggled with the concept of “good vs. evil.” Adam and Eve struggled with God’s demand to not eat from the tree of good and evil. With this command, God was making it clear that only God, not humankind, declares what is good and evil. Adam and Eve could have eaten from any tree in the garden that God had prepared for them, but they both desired to follow their desires and the prompting of Satan and chose to eat from the tree of good and evil. Satan had won them over. They had sinned, and all humanity has suffered since with the desire to do our own thing rather than be obedient to God. Satan lied to Adam and Eve by promising them that they could be like God, knowing good and evil.
“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:4-6)
Today, we live in a culture where God’s Word is no longer honored as being the truth. Most would argue that there is no such thing as “truth.” Sadly, most churches have gone cold to God’s call of teaching adults and teens the truth from the scriptures and how to live out their faith in a world that has grown hostile toward biblical morality and those who embrace it. They are more in the entertainment mode and celebrating full pews rather than hearts filled with the Holy Spirit that brings unbelievers to Christ. As a result, there is much confusion over what is “good” and what is “evil” and how Christians can respond.
God does not ask us our opinion of what is good or evil. His Word is clear.
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one come to the Father but through me” (John 14:6)
“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
There is no truth outside what God ordains to be good or evil. God is Sovereign, holy, all-knowing, and unchanging. God has always been and will always be sinless. God calls us to live according to His command to love God with our hearts, minds, and souls and love others. His call to Christians is clear: those who choose against God will be punished.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12: 9-11).
“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)
In our culture, moral relativism has replaced what is good and what is evil. This philosophy judges good and evil on personal preferences that may change daily. What is convenient for me is what is good. There is no discussion. With God, because He is the definition of what is good, His Word is our plum line for all that is true. The rejection of God in our country has put us on a downhill slide with little hope for recovery. God made it clear that He is Sovereign and knows that we would come face to face with evil.
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3).
We face many issues today that are evil and causing pain and suffering.
- The celebration of homosexuality and the defense of abortion on demand are usually accompanied by a mockery of those who value life and promote traditional marriage. Evil is called “good,” and good is slandered as “evil.”
According to the Guttmacher Institute, there were more than a million abortions in the U.S. in 2023. To be precise, researchers estimate there were 1,026,700 abortions in 2023. “That’s the highest number in over a decade, [and] the first time there have been over a million abortions provided in the U.S. formal health care system since 2012,”
- Mobs are destroying lives and businesses across the United States.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
- Rallies against Israel.
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2-3
Though evil has been rampant throughout history, God has always provided a way of forgiveness. He died on the cross to forgive all sin, no matter how evil our transgressions are. Salvation for all sinners is by faith in God’s son, Jesus. He calls us to love all people with a godly love, no matter how much hurt and pain others have caused us. We must pray for those who do not know Christ, and hopefully, someday, we will be given the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. We need to understand that the real issue with all those who are lost and doing evil things is not that they stop doing those things, but instead, they would come to Jesus, put their trust in Him, and place all the evil things they have done in their lives, at His feet and receive forgiveness to all of their sins.
As God loves and forgives us, we, too, have the privilege of being used by God to bring hope to those who are lost.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4: 1-5)