The ManicaPost
Pastor Ocean Hamandishe
DEBATES were carried on for sometime between Christians and atheists. Atheist argued that, “If God exists, why the world is surrounded by evil”? In this article, I would like to give a compressed background about how evil came in the world.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that God is perfect. When He created everything including the heaven and earth, there was no imperfection. God is complete and does not do imperfect works. Angels were created perfectly; even Lucifer before he became an evil fallen angel was perfect.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”.( James 1:17-17) NKJV. In God there are no variables. What He does is always perfect and good. It is His nature when He considers doing anything. I consider it an insult to God to pause this question, “why did He create evil?” as if He was the designer of evil. Man cooperated with the devil to create evil and the pain experienced in this world today. The principal originator of evil is Lucifer (the devil); however Adam & Eve fell prey to the deceptive ways of Satan. This cost the whole human race which then became victim of sin and its consequences.
Lucifer was created with perfection until iniquity was found in him. In reference to Lucifer (cherub), the Scripture says:”You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (Ezek 28:14) (NKJV)
Lucifer held one of the higher offices; he was one of the arch angels, like Michael and Gabriel. One day he thought of exalting himself above God. He looked at his talents, beauty and intelligence and thought that he could be like God. (Ezek 28:17) “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, (NKJV). We are told in :(Ezek 28:13) you were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering:…… The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes, Was prepared for you on the day you were created.(NKJV) . It seems Lucifer had access of moving up and down from heaven to earth (Eden). He was familiar with both heaven and earth.
Lucifer in his bid to ouster God rebelled and influenced one third of angels to be part of his plan. His idea was to exalt himself and his throne above God`s. In other words he wanted to be the lord of Lords and to be in-charge of all God`s creation. This was the beginning of his fall and hour he created the trouble, evil and problems which the world is facing today. In Revelation 12:3-9, the arch angel Michael who is in-charge of the warfare department fought against Lucifer and all rebellious angels and defeated them. Isaiah 14:12 -15 described how Lucifer fell and how he was cast down.
Have you ever asked why the devil hates human beings and why he quickly moved in to deceive man who was placed in the Garden of Eden? His desire to make earth his option number two as a dwelling place was now shattered because of another powerful being Adam.
The authority and dominion which Lucifer saw upon Adam was one of his ambitions. He saw Adam as his rival. He could not stand watching Adam taking away the authority and dominion he wanted so much.
He eyed the same domain to establish his throne. He devised a plan to rob that dominion from Adam. He designed a deception plan so that he could have a legal right to rule on earth. The Bible is clear on how he managed to deceive Adam in Genesis chapter 3. Legally he became the god of this earth (world) (2 Corinth 4 vs4).
Lucifer armed with the legal right, began to exercise power and authority over the earth. Everything changed in the Garden of Eden. Even the animals that were once subjected to Adam became fearless to him. Before the fall, no animal would attack Adam because he was like a god to every creature. That was the extent of Adam `s authority before his sin.
When the Devil said: “All this authority I will give you, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4:5), he knew what he was talking about. God never gave the devil authority and dominion over the earth but it was delivered to him by Adam when he disobeyed God. The devil then became the god of this world; However, Jesus Christ came to reverse the scenario. The Devil began to influence people to behave in a disobedient manner. Evil prevailed over the face of the earth. Where there is sin, there is evil also. Sin and evil are twins.
God created his beings and gave them free will power to choose, hence the choices of his being both angels and human beings brought evil and suffering today.
Nevertheless, God is still a loving Father who is still calling his people to come back to him. A solution to stop sin and evil was offered by God through Jesus Christ. If people know what is best for them, repentance is a solution and God will protect them from evil. (Palms 91)
Pastor Ocean Hamandishe is an author, entrepreneur & senior pastor at Christian Walk Ministries. He oversees churches in Zimbabwe & Mozambique. He holds a Diploma, B A in Theology and Master of Christian Counselling. He can be contacted on +263 -772 602 471/ or [email protected]
