What is the definition of evil?

[Andy C]

A few threads have focused lately on what is evil. I dont often refer to “got questions”, but the below is a good read:



Evil is usually thought of as that which is morally wrong, sinful, or wicked; however, the word evil can also refer to anything that causes harm, with or without the moral dimension. The word is used both ways in the Bible. Anything that contradicts the holy nature of God is evil (see Psalm 51:4). On the flip side, any disaster, tragedy, or calamity can also be called an “evil” (see 1 Kings 17:20, KJV).

Evil behavior includes sin committed against other people (murder, theft, adultery) and evil committed against God (unbelief, idolatry, blasphemy). From the disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9) to the wickedness of Babylon the Great (Revelation 18:2), the Bible speaks of the fact of evil, and man is held responsible for the evil he commits: “The one who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:20).

Essentially, evil is a lack of goodness. Moral evil is not a physical thing; it is a lack or privation of a good thing. As Christian philosopher J. P. Moreland has noted, “Evil is a lack of goodness. It is goodness spoiled. You can have good without evil, but you cannot have evil without good.” Or as Christian apologist Greg Koukl has said, “Human freedom was used in such a way as to diminish goodness in the world, and that diminution, that lack of goodness, that is what we call evil.”

What is the definition of evil? | GotQuestions.org

What is the definition of evil? What does the Bible say about evil? Does evil exist?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[AnyMinute]

That pretty much sums up how I view evil, the absence of good. Just as cold is the absence of heat and dark is the absence of light.

I don't however see evil as some separate category or description of sinfulness.
From our perspective we may see varying degrees of sin/evil and try to identify individuals by those sins but from God's perspective, all sin is evil and abhorrent. From what would seem from our vantage point to be the smallest and least offensive sin to the most grotesque of all evil we could imagine, matters not. All will keep you eternally separated from God with out receiving the pardon of Christ's sacrifice.

I didn't respond in any other threads but I did think some verses of scripture may have been isolated and used to make a point separate from both the immediate and larger context of describing the condemned nature of man. Not a condemnation that comes with performing certain sinful or evil acts but describing the fallen state of man that we are all born into.

Just after reading the great and well known passages of John 3:16-17 we get to the description of those who still refuse to come into the Light, who is Christ Jesus, and the condemnation still remains upon them. The same condemnation that was upon all of us at one time before we chose to come into that light and receive the free gift of salvation by faith.
Nothing in John 3:19-20 states that those refusing to come into the light can't, it says they won't.
They love the darkness and don't want to be exposed. This describes the majority of this world who still remain in the dark and will unfortunately die in that natural fallen condition but we know God has not chosen or created them for this purpose. While the Holy Spirit calls to them, we also are still here as a witness and testimony of God's gracious call to salvation, even the heavens and Earth are a call to them yet they still love the darkness and refuse the Light.

Refusing the love of God, the enormous sacrifice of Christ and His offer of redemption is the epitome of evil.

 

[Hol]

That pretty much sums up how I view evil, the absence of good. Just as cold is the absence of heat and dark is the absence of light.

Very simple to understand and true

 

[Andy C]

The closing paragraph from the OP:

“God is not the author of moral evil; rather, it is His holiness that defines it. Created in God’s image, we bear the responsibility to make moral choices that please God and conform to His will. He wills our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and does not wish us to sin (James 1:13). In repentance and faith in Christ, we have forgiveness of sin and a reversal of the moral evil within us (Acts 3:19). As God’s children, we walk according to this command: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).”

 

[Baby Yoda]

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”