Counsel #2 — What Is Evil?

Picture: Counsel #2 — What Is Evil?CSe 57.1

Evil comes from breaking God’s holy law of love. God’s law reflects His character of light, holiness, and goodness. Evil is the opposite of this, causing suffering, pain, and moral darkness. God is intrinsically and eternally good, by the standard of His own infinite value. He is consistent, the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Evil is prompted by Satan and causes rebellion against God’s moral goodness, working itself out in acts of selfishness and pride.^{[57]https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1978/06/does-god-create-evil}CSe 57.2

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NKJVCSe 57.3

“Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creator’s will. Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father, —one in nature, in character, and in purpose, —the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” Ellen White in The Great Controversy, p. 493CSe 57.4

Reflection: Why are some reluctant to define anything as evil?CSe 57.5