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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: Hey brother, Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you on this. I've been distracted. I also believe that there is a perfect will and a permissible will. You see that example when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham interceded and God was willing to grant Abraham his prayers. What you brought up about Pharoah does puzzle me, I admit. Because if he was created to be rebellious, then by being that way, he was actually serving God. I have to revert back to Romans 9:18-22. in vs. 19 it says, then why does He find fault if He is the one who had done this and no one can resist His will? Then it goes on to say that we cannot question God's motives. In vs. 22, it says that God shows His wrath through these vessels He creates that are "fitted to destruction" It also says that He longsuffers with them. Which tells me that He created them even though He knows that their very being will grieve Him, He creates them anyway for the reason in vs. 23 "And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory". If you look in Prov 21:1 it says "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he TURNETH it whithersoever he will." If God really wanted to avoid all of the torment and plagues, He could have done that. But He wanted to show His power (Rom 9:22-23). The same thing applies to Lucifer, in my mind. If you read Is 46:10 it says, "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" The phrase "Declaring the end from the beginning" tells me that God meant for all this to happen in the first place. Now as far as James 1:13-16 goes, I see it like this... It is talking to the saints of God just as is the whole Word. The Word of God is not written for the world, but His children. This passage is saying that God will not set His CHILDREN up for failure. In vs. 12 it says "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." It is clearly talking to the Saints of God. We know the world cannot endure temptaion because they do not have the Spirit of God. Even if the world does endure some type of temptation, it certainly does not mean they will receive a crown of life. So I do not believe Pharaoh, Lucifer, or any other "vessel fitted for destruction" would fall under this protection in James 1:13-16. So, all in all, this is the conclusion that I get from these scriptures... That God knew exactly what He was doing, planned all this from the beginning and is allowing the gray areas to take their course. The gray areas are where free will, permissive will of God, and man's own faults come into play. Those things that do not interfere with God's eternal plan will be my definition of gray areas. But Lucifer would not be a gray area and definately part of His eternal plan. So, my conclusion on this whole study is this: Does evil (sin) exist? Of course Did God create sin? No, it just is because there is an opposite of good. Does evil (Satan) exist? Of course Did God create Lucifer? Yes And the 64,000 dollar question... Did God plan for him to become the epitomaeh of evil? I believe so, but I can see other's viewpoint if they don't think so. However, I cannot be persuaded in that direction. This study has been a blessing!! Take care, Sal |