What Holy Bible Teaches about 'Evil"?

Evil

Poneros (4190) hurtful, evil in character and influence, diseased, malicious, wicked

Verses - Genesis 3:5; Psalms 5:4; Proverbs 1:16; Matthew 5:11 7:11; Romans 1:30; 2^nd Thessalonians 3:3; Revelation 2:2

First Use: Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Evil is not a part of the original creation of God. Evil did not exist in the original environment where Adam and the Woman lived. Adam and the Woman introduced evil into the world. It is interesting that God had planted the "tree of life" in the middle of the garden of Eden. God wanted Adam and the Woman to live securely in the middle of the garden, experiencing life through God. The Bible doesn't specifically mention where the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil existed. It could be that the tree of evil was located out on the edge of the garden and that the tree had to be sought out and discovered by Adam and the Woman. Anyhow find it they did and they did eat from the tree of evil and now we as their descendants are still eating from the tree of evil. God gave man a choice to follow God or to disobey. Anything that is not of God is evil. We have the choice just like Adam and the Woman (Eve) to follow God or to discover evil.

Biblical examples: Satan, the Antichrist and the beasts of Revelation

Revelation 6:8 And I (Disciple John) looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him is Death and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the forth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with hunger and with death and with the Beasts of the earth.

These beasts are cruel people, people that have denied the Deity of Jesus and they are out to inflict hurt and pain on anyone they come across or anyone who gets in their way. They are in legion with Satan whether knowingly or unknowingly. Satan was aware of the pain, suffering, separation from God and death, that would inflict people when he deceived the Woman and introduced sin into God's paradise garden of Eden. This plan of pain and suffering in agony is Satan's plan and cruel people are helping Satan carry it out.

Meanness is bad enough but it is different from cruelty. Mean people are usually that way because they are acting out of selfish self-interest and are unconcerned about other people's predicaments or situations. The selfishness that accompanies meanness often stems from insecurities that come from fears and worries, fears about the past, present and specifically the future; fears about finances, security, relationships, health and especially fears of death.

Revelation 21:6-8 And He (God) said to me (Disciple John), It is done. I Am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Sometimes people are afraid to come to Jesus because of what they have done in their life or they are afraid that they are not worthy of God. Nobody is worthy of God that is the point; that's why Jesus died for us. We are not worthy in ourselves.

Meanness is usually selfishness and insecurity and people are often unaware that they offend other people. Cruelty is different. Cruelty is fueled by hatred and hatred is a powerful emotion almost as powerful as love. Cruelness enjoys inflicting pain and suffering.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

How true. Some people even in their mercies are cruel.

Proverbs 4:14 Enter not in the path (make acquaintance) of the wicked and go not in the way (be a companion) of evil men.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.