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NASB | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, "Can it really be that God has said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" [Rev 12:9-11] |
Subject: Who created evil? |
Bible Note: Sal. If after tossing this question around no one has given you a solid scripture to indicate, at least in your mind, that God did not create evil. Then like everyone else, all I can offer you is my own personal beliefs. I make serious attempts to try to understand the other’s perspective on any given issue. I think that I understand yours. Col. 1:16 indicates that God created everything. He did create Lucifer, He created the Tree of Knowledge, the serpent in the garden, then there’s that verse over in Isa. 45 that you can’t seem to get around. All in all I think I see your point. I admire the fact that you’re standing firm on your beliefs, I’ve seen too many Christians who didn’t know what they believed, and ended up following every doctrine under the sun. You know what you believe and without solid evidence, you maintain your belief inspite of everything said. I disagree with your beliefs, but I admire your stance on the matter. This question I have to ask for the record. Have you tried praying on this matter? According to the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Wisdom is looking for you, seek her and ye shall find her. And what about your Spiritual Teacher, have you consulted with Him on this thing. Take a good look at 1 Cor. 2:9-16. The knowledge that the Holy Spirit has for you on this matter comes with the wisdom to understand it. No one on this forum can explain it to you to your understanding like the Holy Spirit can. Now if you don’t mind me picking on your post, there are two small points I’d like to make. The first one is, according to Gen. 2:1-2, everything that God was going to create, was created in chapter 1, which means that the Tree of Knowledge was called good along with the rest of creation at the end of chp. 1. The second point I’d like to make is something that I know you’ve heard before. I do not believe that God needed evil to accomplish His will, I can’t see the All-Sufficient God needing anything. I believe He used evil to His good. Take a look at Romans 8:28. I’m presently doing a study on Joseph. If there is anyone that I think would be a perfect example of Romans 8:28, Joseph would be the one. Hated by his brothers; sold into slavery; accused of a crime he didn’t commit. In my opinion, one of the best parts of the story is how a man, committed of a crime that was punishable by death, was pulled out of jail and placed second in charge over all of Egypt. AND THE MAN WAS A HEBREW. Are you familiar with the culture of that day? Now if that isn’t the perfect example of God using evil to His glorification and to Joseph’s elevation, then I don’t know what is. Just out of curiosity, where did Joseph acquire the Administrative Skills to run Egypt?? ALL THINGS work together for the good of those who love Him. God used evil, He didn’t need evil. The CurtMan |