Where did evil come from?

Where Did Evil Come From?

1. Definition and Nature of Evil

Evil can be understood as a distortion or corruption of what is originally good. From a biblical standpoint, all that God created was good in its original form. Evil, then, is not a separate creation but rather the result of disobedience and rebellion against the Creator’s perfect design.

The Scriptures affirm the goodness of God’s creation early on: “God saw all that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This declaration lays the foundation that evil did not originate from God’s intention or His creative act but emerged from creatures (both angelic and human) who chose to deviate from His will.

2. Heavenly Realm and the Rebellion of a Created Being

A key aspect of the Bible’s teaching on the origin of evil begins before human history, in the realm of heavenly beings. One figure, often identified as a high-ranking angel, chose pride and rebellion. Certain Old Testament passages point symbolically to this rebellion, though they also address earthly rulers.

• Isaiah 14:12 refers, in a literary sense, to the downfall of a proud figure: “How you have fallen from heaven, O day star...”

• Ezekiel 28:14–15 addresses the lament over the king of Tyre but vividly describes an anointed cherub who was “blameless” in his ways until “wickedness was found in” him.

These passages are often understood to reflect the more profound reality that a created angelic being (frequently called Satan or the devil) introduced sin and evil by his rebellion, seeking to supplant God’s authority.

3. Introduction of Evil into Humanity

Human history’s encounter with evil appears in Genesis 3, where the serpent tempts the first human couple. The text says, “the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field” (Genesis 3:1). Through deception and casting doubt on God’s word, evil influences led Adam and Eve into disobedience. This sin against God was motivated by pride and a desire to be “like God” (Genesis 3:5).

When they ate from the forbidden tree, the direct result was immediate spiritual separation from God, signified by shame and fear. Genesis 3:7 records their realization that they were naked, indicating a newly awakened sense of guilt. From this event, the inclination toward evil entered human experience.

4. Theological Framework of Evil and Free Will

Scripture consistently portrays God as sovereign, loving, and just—even while revealing that created beings have genuine moral agency. This freedom allows for love and obedience as well as the possibility of choosing rebellion.

While God remains utterly without sin, in granting moral choice, the possibility of evil entered the picture. Romans 5:12 explains, “just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men.” Humanity has inherited both the consequences and a propensity toward sin because of this original rebellion.

5. Preservation of God’s Goodness Amid Evil

Although evil made its way into creation, the Bible upholds that God is never the author of sin. James 1:13 states: “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” Instead, evil arises from created beings who misuse their freedom.

From a manuscript perspective, the earliest copies and translations of these scriptural passages—fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient documents—demonstrate consistent testimony about humanity’s fall and the introduction of sin. Archaeological findings confirm that the biblical text has been reliably transmitted, underscoring the historical and doctrinal integrity of these accounts.

6. Consequences of Evil

Because evil distorts creation’s original design, it spawns consequences everywhere: suffering, injustice, fractured relationships, and ultimately, death. Romans 6:23 affirms, “the wages of sin is death,” stressing that spiritual and physical death flow from humanity’s and angelic beings’ disobedience to God’s moral order.

Yet Scripture also shows God’s mercy in restraining the full effects of evil. The continuing existence of good, social stability, and moral awareness point to God’s preserving grace and the fact that He has not abandoned His creation to unchecked corruption.

7. God’s Redemptive Response

The Bible teaches that God took the initiative to destroy the root cause of evil and redeem humanity. In Genesis 3:15, often called the “protoevangelium,” God foretells the eventual defeat of the serpent. This promise finds fulfillment in the work of Jesus, who shared in humanity’s nature yet lived without sin.

Through His atoning death and resurrection, He overcame evil at its source. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…” His triumph provides forgiveness for sins, offers transformation from within, and secures a future restoration of creation free from evil.

8. Philosophical and Behavioral Perspectives

From a philosophical angle, the question “Where did evil come from?” wrestles with reconciling God’s goodness and omnipotence with the presence of suffering. The biblical account underscores that God allowed for genuine moral agency and that evil arose when created beings exercised it to rebel.

Behaviorally, evil can be seen where self-centered desires, rebellion, and disregard for God’s moral law flourish. The Scriptures reveal an inward turn away from God, resulting in destructive actions and patterns.

9. A Glimpse at the Consistency of the Biblical Message

Across various biblical authors and over centuries of recorded revelation, the message remains steadfast about the origin and nature of evil. Confirmations in thousands of ancient manuscripts, as well as cross-references within Scripture, consistently point to a singular story: God is good and holy, and evil is the result of created beings choosing rebellion.

When examined critically, these ancient texts provide a coherent explanation of evil. This consistency appears in early church writings, numerous manuscript families, and modern translations that maintain fidelity to the original text—highlighting that the Scriptures have provided a continual, unified message on this subject.

10. Conclusion

Evil originated as a result of created beings—angelic first, human second—turning away from God’s will. It did not come from within God but rather through the misuse of the freedom He granted. The biblical narrative records that evil’s bittersweet fruit entered the human scene through deception and disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Its destructive consequences became part of human history, yet God’s redemptive plan ensures that evil does not have the last word.

Ultimately, Scripture calls believers and seekers alike to recognize that while evil is very real, there is a path to spiritual restoration. Through God’s grace, individuals can be reconciled, find hope in the triumph of Christ’s resurrection, and look forward to the future renewal of all things, free from every vestige of evil.