Evil, just for discussion

[MorganT]

OK, I know that God is all good and there is no evil in him but just for discussion sake lets look at a few instances were God uses Evil. My Dad is agnostic and has asked me about these scriptures many times. Any thoughts.

Jdg 9:23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. And the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

1Sa 16:14-16 But the spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah terrified him. (15) And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifies you. (16) Let our lord now command his servants before you to seek out a man who knows to play on a harp. And it shall be, when the evil spirit from God is on you, then he shall play with his hand, and it shall be well with you.

1Sa 16:23 And it happened when the spirit from God was on Saul, that David took a harp and played with his hand. And there was relief for Saul, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1Sa 18:10 And it happened on the next day the evil spirit from God came on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played with his hand, as at other times. And a spear was in Saul's hand.

1Sa 19:9 And the evil spirit from Jehovah was on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David played with his hand.

1Ki 22:23 And now, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets, and Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.

 

[Jim1999]

Just as a quick reply and not a full answer. Many of us view this not of God sending an evil spirit, but providentially allowing each man's own evil deeds to haunt and torment himself and these are the evil spirits. When good was applied, so the opposite effect took place.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Jim; I agree that most of the evil comes from our own wrong choices; but what about Job? I don't believe that was his own evil deeds tormenting him.

Neither do I believe that God sent Satan. He did, however, allow Satan to torment Job.

But when God stepped in, He gave Job everything he had lost...in doubles.

 

[MorganT]

Thanks for the replys, however I still have nothing semi concrete to take back to him as a rebuttle.

 

[Jim1999]

prolly nothing will be an adequate rebuttle, if what its meant in the Old Testament won't suffice.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[MorganT]

prolly nothing will be an adequate rebuttle, if what its meant in the Old Testament won't suffice.

Cheers,

Jim

Well I know nothing up to this point has been a rebuttle. Its sad, my dad knows the Bible probably better than most people I know, however he views the Bible as just another book and see's it as written by Man nothing more. I have tried and tried to talk to him for yrs. He goes to church with my mom at the church of Christ every time the doors are open and studies with her and still he doesnt believe. He was brought up in the Methodist church up until he married my mom, and his brother my uncle is Baptist and I am Baptist, we all try to talk to him but he doenst believe the bible with Faith. It makes me so sad. Ive asked him if he is saved and his answer is "saved from what", I say Hell and he says that it doesnt exist that when he dies he is just dead.

 

[Palatka51]

prolly nothing will be an adequate rebuttle, if what its meant in the Old Testament won't suffice.

Cheers,

Jim

Jim, Is the "B" key not working on your keyboard? Or is that how they spell probably in Canadian?

 

[Palatka51]

Well I know nothing up to this point has been a rebuttle. Its sad, my dad knows the Bible probably better than most people I know, however he views the Bible as just another book and see's it as written by Man nothing more. I have tried and tried to talk to him for yrs. He goes to church with my mom at the church of Christ every time the doors are open and studies with her and still he doesnt believe. He was brought up in the Methodist church up until he married my mom, and his brother my uncle is Baptist and I am Baptist, we all try to talk to him but he doenst believe the bible with Faith. It makes me so sad. Ive asked him if he is saved and his answer is "saved from what", I say Hell and he says that it doesnt exist that when he dies he is just dead.

Well it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

 

[Jim1999]

"prolly" is English slang...I do use it by times.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[swaimj]

I think these verses demonstrate God's sovereignty. God controls the evil and he uses it for his own ends. Evil spirits do not operate without God's permission and the activities they engage in ultimately accomplish God's plan.

However, in speaking with an agnostic, I would try to do little explaining and ask lots of questions. For starters, please define evil. I think your agnostic relative will have difficulty in defining evil as an objective quality because for him, without God, everything is relative. "Answer a fool according to his folly" is probably an appropriate strategy.

 

[Revmitchell]

I think these verses demonstrate God's sovereignty. God controls the evil and he uses it for his own ends. Evil spirits do not operate without God's permission and the activities they engage in ultimately accomplish God's plan.

However, in speaking with an agnostic, I would try to do little explaining and ask lots of questions. For starters, please define evil. I think your agnostic relative will have difficulty in defining evil as an objective quality because for him, without God, everything is relative. "Answer a fool according to his folly" is probably an appropriate strategy.

I agree!:thumbs:

 

[just-want-peace]

It would be wise to use this same concept "Answer a fool according to his folly" on this board as well!

Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his foolishness, lest you become like him, even you.
Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, that he not be wise in his own eyes.

Fact, both of these verses show the futility of attempting any rational discussion with some folk - draw your own conclusions as to who it applies to.

 

[padredurand]

Ive asked him if he is saved and his answer is "saved from what", I say Hell and he says that it doesnt exist that when he dies he is just dead.

I had a young fella in town tell me the exact same thing. I just looked him in the eye and said, "Son, if you die before you get home tonight you are going to be in for a Big Surprise!" :wavey: