The Origin of Evil

It won’t take long for anyone living on planet earth to realize wickedness runs rampant on this planet. Murder, theft, lying, cheating,  and greed are seen as just par for the course. Every day, the news media reminds us just how evil this world can be. Have you ever wondered—How did things get so bad? Was this what God had in mind when He created this world?

Had it not been for the Word of God, the explanation for the origin of evil would remain a mystery. However, the Word of God does not leave us wondering. The Bible is clear in its explanation of why the world is in the condition that it’s in. Let’s find out what the Bible says regarding the origin of evil.

Who is responsible for sin?

Ye 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. John 8:44

Here, Christ reveals that Satan was a murderer from the beginning and he declares that he is also the father of lies. Sin is any form of lawlessness against God and thus we see that the devil is the original sinner.

What else is the devil called?

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan… Revelation 12:9

Who was the Devil before he became the father of lawlessness?

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12

According to the Bible, before the Devil became the Devil, he was called Lucifer.

What was Lucifer’s job in heaven?

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth… Ezekiel 28:14

Scripture reveals that Lucifer wasn’t just an angel in heaven, but he was an anointed covering cherub. In future studies you will learn about the heavenly sanctuary; however, in order to understand how close Lucifer was to God, you must understand that the earthly sanctuary was a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary. The Ark of the Covenant was one of the furniture pieces that was part of the earthly sanctuary; thus, with the below picture of the ark, we can now understand that Lucifer was one of the angels who was positioned next to God’s throne and had his wings spread around the glory of God’s presence.

How does the Bible describe Lucifer before his fall?

“…every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” Ezekiel 28:13

Regardless if Lucifer was built with these jewels or his attire was made of jewels, we can see that he was highly exalted in heaven and looked the part of a powerful angel.

We also see that he had pipes. Most scholars believe these pipes relate to a musical instrument or a musical ability. This reference, if properly interpreted, means that Lucifer not only had beauty and brains, but his voice was melodies. Some believe that he was so talented, that he could sing all voice parts at the same time! We cannot say for sure as the Bible is silent on this issue, but we can only imagine the magnificence that this angel held.

“…Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Ezekiel 28:12

According to this verse, Lucifer wasn’t just full of wisdom, he was perfect in beauty. Think of the most handsome person you’ve ever seen. Now, what I want you to realize is that Lucifer was exponentially more handsome than that individual. In essence, he had beauty and brains!

What was the beginning of Lucifer’s downfall?

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. Ezekiel 28:17

The Bible reveals that his beauty started getting to his head. He was bright mentally and physically. However, his gifts started become an object of self-exaltation and it was at this point he started thinking that he was more than an angel.

Where did Lucifer’s self-conceit lead him?

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14

Lucifer was already in the presence of God, but with all his gifts and status as a covering cherub, he begin to believe that he should be on the same level as God. 

So what did Lucifer do with this growing sense of self-exaltation? Our next study will reveal how Lucifer’s self-exaltation resulted in a supernatural rebellion.