What is your definition of Good vs. Evil?

Question

I listened to a preacher one day expound the doctrine that man is incapable of any good whatsoever. To prove his point he quoted the verse in Genesis that states:
“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Gen 6:5 NIV). And yet, in his agreement that man was wicked, the preacher failed to offer any definition as to what evil was.

Thus, the flaw is not with the design of man -- but more appropriately that there is little understanding with regard to the design, pattern, and potential of both man and Creation.

If it is true that the Source of all life is the Kingdom -- or perhaps better defined as originating with God -- good, then, can be defined as whatever is immediately returned directly via body, mind and spirit back to God by the shortest, internal path. In the words of the Apostle Paul this truth is expressed in the requirement to: “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5 NIV).

Evil, on the other hand, is when these Divine Energies that originate with God are instead expelled into nature -- or the physical world only -- instead of being returned by the shortest route back to their Source.

Any other thoughts on this?

Answer 1

Evil is not a "thing" - like a rock or electricity. You can't have a jar of evil! Rather, evil is something that occurs, like running. Evil has no existence of its own - it is really a lack in a good thing. For example, holes are real but they only exist in something else. We call the absence of dirt a hole - but it cannot be separated from the dirt. So when God created, it is true that all that existed was good. One of the good things that God made was creatures who had the freedom to choose good. In order to have a real choice, God had to allow there to be something besides good to choose. So God allowed these free angels and humans to choose good or non-good (evil). When a bad relationship exists between two good things we call that evil, but it does not become a "thing" that required God to create it.

Perhaps a further illustration will help. If I were to ask the average person "does cold exist?" - his/her answer would likely be yes. However, this is incorrect. Cold does not exist. Cold is the absence of heat. Similarly, darkness does not exist. Darkness is the absence of light. Similarly, evil is the absence of good, or better, evil is the absence of God. God did not have to create evil, but rather only allow for the absence of good.

Answer 2

Are you a good person? What a question, most of us believe that we are good people because we can look around and find someone that is far worse than we are. We can always point to the things that we think make us a good person.

But how good are we really? Dare we take this test and look at ourselves and see if we really are good? Hmmm.

If you are willing try this and see just how good a person you are.

The Good Person Test.

How will you do? Pass or fail?


Have you ever told a lie?
Doesn't matter how big or small, just a lie.
What does that make you? Before answering think about this, if I told you a lie what would you call me? A liar?

Have you ever stolen anything? Cost doesn't matter, a piece of gum, failed to give back an ink pen that you borrowed, anything.
What does that make you?

Jesus said, "You know the saying of old, you shall not commit adultery but I say that if look at someone to lust after them you have committed adultery in your heart.
Have you ever lusted?

Jesus said that hate is equal to murder.
Have you ever hated anyone?

See one day we all are going to stand before a Holy God on Judgment Day and he is going to judge us based on His Holy Law, the Ten Commandments. These are just 4 of them and how did you do? Guilty? I have broken all of these and more, what about you? How well will you do on Judgment Day?

If we break just one point of God's Law we are guilty of breaking all the law and Gods Wrath abides upon us all. Based on God's Law we are all guilty and all are deserving of punishment. But there is an out for us.

Jesus paid the price for each one of us, took on himself God's Wrath so we wouldn't have to face it on our own. Jesus was beaten, battered, bleed and died so we wouldn't have to face God's Wrath. He rose again so that we would life in his presence. Our crimes, His payment.

The real question is where will you stand on Judgment Day. Pay yourself or have it paid for you. Think about it.

Answer 3

Good and Evil are man's way of enslaving the minds of other men, by playing on their innate fears and self loathing tendencies.
There are only actions and consequences, there is no inherent properties within things.
To teach us to ask "what specifically is the value that each action we take supports or destroys?" Those that teach "good and evil" are not your friends.

Answer 4

A quick answer I would give is holiness vs unholiness.

Answer 5

good and evil are relative terms. good has close to fifty definitions. evil has about fifteen. it depends on the context in which these terms are used that decides their meaning.

Answer 6

God vs Satan

Answer 7

Good booze - bad booze