Good and Bad

To understand this subject as many others, one must get beyond the simplistic understanding that are not consistent with the teachings of the Bible.  The simplistic understanding for many is that everything good is from God and everything bad is from the Devil.  However, the Bible presents a much different picture.  What appears to be good can come from the Devil.  As well as, bad can come from God.  The issue is not that it occurs, it is why it occurs.

Deuteronomy 28:15

¹⁵But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

God is clear if one does not obey the Lord, their disobedience will bring curses on them.  God has forewarned us.  This is true in the New Testament too, 1 Corinthians 11:30-32.

³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. ³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

The Bible is consistent on this issue.  If one does not obey God and properly judge themselves, there are consequences.  We have been forewarned many times.  Now when God chastises, there is a purpose beyond just punishing, Hebrews 12:11.

¹¹Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

God does this to bring us back to Him.  It is to yield the proper spiritual fruit in the believer.

As for the devil, he has a much more deceptive motive.  If you are wondering how the devil makes a person healthy, it is quite simple.  All the devil has to do is quit making them sick.  When the devil does good, it only appears to be good.  Why would the devil do this?  To deceive a person and lead them down the wrong path, John 8:44.

⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Satan is the Father Of Lies.  Satan has been and always will be the great deceiver.  Many a believer has been deceived by him.  We have to understand how Satan lies.  Satan always gives a little bit of truth, but the devil’s truth is a half truth.  Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Just because something or someone has the appearance of being good does not necessarily make it good.  One must know the motive behind the good.

Next Origin of Evil

Back to In the Beginning

Return to Permitting of Evil