A Biblical Perspective of Evil (unfinished study)

Evil exists

There are some things that we say to one another, and say sometimes from the pulpit, which are actually not in the Bible, like:

• There is some good in everybody
• Everyone is equally evil, and equally good
• All sins are equal

…but actually, the Bible does not say these things. It says:

• Some sins are unforgivable (Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10). Most commentators agree that the “unforgivable sin,” is simply any sin of which a Christian does not repent, since unrepentant sin destroys their conscience (1 Tim. 4:2) and separates one from God (Isaiah 59:2). Some sinners are so far gone they should not even be prayed for (1 John 5:16).
• The Bible says that there is a marked difference in the lives of Christians and evil people. “By their fruits you shall know them,” says Jesus, (Mat. 7:16). “the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal,” says Paul, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” (2 Tim. 2:19). Contemporary Protestants emphasize grace, but perhaps to an extreme. People sometimes believe that so long as one says that they are a Christian and go to church, they can get away with a life filled with bitterness, rage, malice, contention, lust, hatred, and other sins of the heart. The Bible says that this is not true. Those with pure hearts shall see God (Psa 24, Mat. 5:8). As John Calvin said, “we are saved by grace alone. But saving grace is never alone.” It should be accompanied by a changed life. But those who claim the name of Christ, but secretly live a comfortable life of sin will one day hear, “I never knew you,” and, “depart from me, you evildoers.” (Mat. 7:23). Writing quite clearly, Paul says: “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who…are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10) Christians are not perfect, but they are trying. Their lives are marked with good works, repentance. Increasingly, their internal life is characterized by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)
• An evil person, on the other hand, is moving away from God. As their unrepentant sins multiply, God’s wrath against them adds up (Rom. 2:5). Every day they have less of the fruits of the Spirit in them: they become unloving, unhappy, distressed, unkind, bad, faithless, cruel, and out of control. Their lives are characterized by the “deeds of the flesh,” including, “impurity, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, and envying.” Paul reminds us that, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” (Gal. 5:19-21). 
• …in reality, “good people,” and “evil people” exist. This is not something that most people deny: people on the street will often say things like, “He was a good man,” or “that guy is a real jerk!” And Jesus also said, “by their fruits you shall know them.” It is only in the church (in this generation, perhaps) that we have forgotten that evil people exist, and we have attempted to paint everyone with the same brush. But the Bible is clear: evil people do exist. It is also clear with what to do with them.

We Are To Separate from Evil People 

Some further mistruths that we often believe are:

• A “good Christian” will forgive and forget anything
• A “good Christian” must forgive and be reconciled to their brother, no matter what
• A “good Christian” should have good relationships with everyone in their life
• There is never a time to cut someone off completely

But actually the Bible says:

• “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Rom. 12:18). This means that there will be a time when it is not possible to have a peaceful relationship with someone, despite the best attempts of the Christian. Some relationships are out of their hands. (Which makes sense, because people are free, and nothing — not even our goodness — can control the outcomes of every relationship)
• A Christian must forgive, but says nothing about forgetting. Although God promises to “forget” offences that have been confessed, repented of (repentance means a change of behaviour) and covered with the blood of Christ, (Heb. 8:12), it also says that those who us grace as a license to continue sinning without repentance are not forgiven, but are rather sinning against the very blood of Christ, and are headed for Hell: “it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” (Heb. 10:26-31)
• A Christian must apologize and be reconciled to their brother for any legitimate offence they have committed. (Mat. 5:24) But this verse does not give an abuser power to manipulate others by imagining an endless list of offences against themselves. In the Bible, for example, Laban accused Jacob of depriving him of his grandchildren (Gen. 31:28). Pharaoh accused the Israelites of depriving him of forced labour (Exod. 14:5). Saul accused David of conspiring to kill him (1 Sam. 22:8). Athilia (who murdered nearly her entire family, to seize the throne) accused the legitimate heir of treason for taking the throne from her (2 Kings 11:14). This Biblical command to repent of one’s sins, and to mend bridges with fellow-Christians does not apply to the unreasonable demands of abusive and evil people. 
• Although it is sometimes impossible to avoid doing business with people who are not Christians, (1 Cor. 5:10) we are to have nothing to do with evil people, who hide behind religion while secretly being, “an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler,” (1 Cor. 5:11-13). We are to care enough about the purity of the church to call these people out and “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Cor. 5:14)