Article: What Is the Definition of Evil? A Pastor’s Plain Answer

We don’t talk about evil much. Maybe we should.

Labeling something as evil is often subjective. As in, anything we don’t like is evil. For example, I think candy corn is evil because I don’t like it.

I don’t think being subjective is all that helpful when it comes to evil.

Let me give you a working definition of evil.

Evil is anything that God will put an end to on Judgment Day or is undone through the work of Christ and will definitely not be welcome in heaven. Read that again to fully process.

Let’s start at the end of that definition and work backwards. Picture the perfection of heaven. All the bad stuff, bad attitudes and cruelty will be non-existent. An easy evil test would be to ask yourself, when you see something bad, “Will this happen in heaven?” If the answer is no, it is evil.

Evil is anything that can be undone through the work of Christ. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sins are forgiven through faith in Christ.

Saint Paul puts it this way,

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Romans 7:24-25

Paul knows that he can’t save himself and he expresses gratitude for Christ’s help and forgiveness. Even Saint Paul knows he is capable of evil. Everyone needs what Jesus offers. I know I do.

At the beginning of the definition of evil, I stated that anything that God will put an end to on Judgment Day would be a litmus test for evil in our world.

The list will be long, no doubt. Here are some things that come to mind.

• War
• Famine
• Cruelty
• Suffering of all kinds
• Pain
• Shame
• Manipulation of people
• Betrayal
• Revenge
• Hate
• Murder
• Jealousy and envy

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Notice these aren’t on the list because we dislike them. They’re on it because God promises to end them. All of the things on the list are contrary to the will and holiness of God; therefore, God will put an end to those things and more.

It is quite appropriate to call out evil when you see it.

It is not appropriate to label something as evil just because you don’t like it.

Now that you have a working definition of evil (see above), you might see more of it in our world.

It saddens me to see the cruelty (evil) in our politics and the cruelty (evil) in how others treat those who are already struggling.

It is upsetting for me to see the cruelty (evil) of people saying it’s OK if Iran destroys cities on the west coast. The response of people laughing at that comment or dismissing it as a joke is also cruel (evil). That is not a joke, nor is it funny.

It saddens me to see how easy it is for people to hate (evil) each other.

All of this reminds me…

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

And when I forget that, I turn to the author and perfecter of our faith: Jesus.

I hope you do too.

Evil may be commonplace, but it should not be legitimized or ignored.

God bless,
Pr. Ben