All evil is sin, all sin is wrong, all wrong is bad, but not all bad is evil. Ponder that statement for a few moments, before you read any further. Because the true nature and direction of your heart is defined by your willingness to not only accept that truth, but to act on it. In the eyes of man, there is a very small difference between bad and evil, to us they are simply different sides of the same window; but when looked at through the eyes of God, the chasm that separates the two is as wide as east is from the west.
We may look at something and think nothing of it, see no evil, only a poor decision. We may also look at something and declare it good and hold it up as a model for others to aspire towards. Conversely, we may prescribe to an idea that something is wrong when in fact it is not. However, in all three situations, the truth is that each is evil. We do not determine what is evil, God has. In the above three examples, the life of the person living without Christ, In God’s eye is evil; the person who has pulled himself up by his bootstraps and is now successful but has made money his god, is evil; and the person who speaks up about an absolute right and wrong applying to everyone, who is then labeled bigot or worst, is viewed completely different though God’s eyes.
So what is evil? In simplest terms, evil is to good as cold is to heat. Heat is a form of energy. The lack of heat energy we experience as cold. Similarly, evil is a privation of good. What is evil? Not fulfilling God's will.
1. Stealing something is a sin but it is not evil; habitually robbing people is evil.
2. An act of adultery is a sin but it is not evil; divorce is evil.
3. Lying is a sin but it is not evil; slandering others is evil.
4. Murdering someone is a sin but is not always evil; it was the intent that makes it evil.
5. Wanting what is your neighbors, is a sin but it is not evil; always seeking to outdo your neighbor is evil.
6. Failing to respect and honor your parents is a sin but it is not evil, rejecting your parents is evil.
7. Using God’s name in vain is a sin, but it is not evil; blaspheming God with your actions is evil.
8. Not keeping a day to honor God is a sin, but it is not evil; living a live devoid of God is evil.
9. Valuing money over your time is a sin, but it is not evil; making money the focus of your life is evil.
We often think of sin as the things we should not have done. Evil is not just a life of commission, evil is also a life of omission. One Commentary describes it as the sin of "knowledge without practice". This person's "faith" is empty if she only offers well-wishes to the cold and hungry person. When you know the right thing to do and have the means, then you offer the coat or food; to do nothing is a sin. Paul was guilty of it, saying, "the good that I want to do I do not do" (Rom. 7:16) However being a Christian is characterized as doing what we are positively called to do.
10. When you fail to do, what you know is right, it is a sin, yet it is not evil; when you chose a lifestyle that perpetuates not doing what God has called you to do, that is evil.
The difference between each of the 10 examples is that one is an event, an occurrence; the other is a lifestyle pattern. Sin is a recognized inward focused action that can be repented from and refocused outward. On the other hand, evil does not recognize itself, it sees it in others but is blind to itself, and thus is never repented.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11
What is evil? Not fulfilling God's will. It begins with compromise….
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