Dictionary of Bible Themes – 8735 evil, origins of
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8735 evil, origins of

8735 evil, origins of

Although Scripture does not reveal the ultimate origin of evil, it identifies a number of intermediate sources.

Satan as a source of evil

Ge 3:1 Identified later (Rev 12:9) with Satan; Mt 4:1 pp Mk 1:13 pp Lk 4:2 Jn 8:44; 1Jn 3:8; Rev 12:9 See also 1Ch 21:1 Satan incites David to take a census of Israel; Job 1:11; Job 2:5; Mt 5:37; Mt 6:13; Mt 13:38-39 the parable of the weeds; Lk 13:16 Satan is responsible for a woman’s crippling disease; Jn 13:2 The devil prompts Judas to betray Jesus Christ; Jn 17:15; Ac 5:3 Ananias lies to the Holy Spirit at Satan’s instigation; 2Co 4:4; 2Co 12:7 Paul’s thorn in the flesh from Satan; Eph 2:2; Eph 6:11; 1Th 2:18-; 1Pe 5:8; 1Jn 3:12; 1Jn 5:19; Rev 2:10; Rev 20:2

Other evil powers

Lk 9:39 pp Mk 9:17-18 Eph 6:12; 1Ti 4:1 See also Jdg 9:23; 1Sa 16:14; 1Sa 18:10-11; 1Sa 19:9-10; Mt 12:45 pp Lk 11:26; Rev 12:7; Rev 16:13-14

Fallen human nature as a source of evil

Ge 6:5; Mt 15:19 pp Mk 7:21-22 Jas 1:13-14 See also Ge 8:21; Pr 6:18; Ecc 8:11; Ecc 9:3; Isa 59:7; Jer 4:14; Jer 17:9; Jer 18:12 The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the law: Mt 23:25 pp Lk 11:39; Mt 23:27-28
Ro 1:24; Ro 7:14-23; 1Ti 6:10 the love of money a root of evil; Jas 3:6 The tongue is a source of evil; Jas 4:1

Physical evil is a consequence of moral evil

Ge 3:17; Ro 5:12 See also Dt 28:20-24,58-59; Ps 90:8-9; Pr 14:30; Mal 4:6; Ro 6:23; Ro 8:19-21; Rev 16:1,5-6

See also

4116angels opposed to God
4120Satan
4130demons
5033knowledge of good & evil
5560suffering
6020sin
6154fall, the
6166flesh, sinful nature
6186evil scheming
6199imperfection

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