The Propensity for Evil That Everyone Has…

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In the light of the one of the most recent acts of extreme evil, in Aurora, Colorado, many are wondering why such horrendous acts have to happen. There, of course, are no simple answers, but what we do know is that the propensity to do evil lurks in each person; this is called human depravity. It is impossible to know why some choose to act out the worst kind of evil, while the great majority never does, but we can understand where evil comes from and how to confront it and that is the purpose of this paper.

The propensity for evil

The propensity for evil that everyone has may be unexplainable as to why some act on it and others suppress it, but we know that evil is always present. Who among us has never had an evil thought? The definition of “propensity” is: an often intense natural inclination or preference. [-1] Each of us has the propensity to do evil, or on the other hand the propensity to do that which is good and it’s each person’s choice as to which will dominate their life. It’s fortunate that the majority of people represses evil and choose that which is right and good. However, the minority who choose evil that cost the world trillions of dollars in losses, damages, ongoing pain and suffering, and most importantly the loss of untold lives.

Why do people carry out such evil, horrendous acts on society?

The question heard most often lately is why did James Holmes, a 24 year old young man with high intelligence and education, choose to shoot innocent people in a theater?  It is impossible to say, just as it is also impossible to say why Adolf Hitler annihilated six million Jews and even had hundreds of others to assist him? Why did Saddam Hussein murder his own people and become a ruthless dictator? Why do some fathers sexually molest their own children or even sometimes murder them?  The less complex answer to all these questions is that they each had the propensity for evil, and that is what they chose.

It is a proven fact that evil has no discrimination among those who embrace it.  I realize that it is hard to imagine, in our own mind, how anyone could want to kill innocent people including little children. The best answer is that evil has no compassion, and when it takes over the mind, anything can happen, and sometimes there is no apparent or logical reason, and there are no boundaries or limitations to the acts of evil!

When Osama Ben Laden and his evil henchmen planned the bombing of the twin towers in New York City, it apparently concerned them in the least that it would cost nearly 3,000 people their lives. Parents would lose children; husbands would lose wives; wives would lose husbands, and there would be untold pain and suffering, and it would cost two trillion dollars to clear out the damage all told.

The Damage that evil brings upon society

It is impossible to access the damage in loss of lives, pain and suffering that evil brings about worldwide:  it forever impacts the lives of its victims and their families. It forever leaves a vacuum. The money spent cleaning up the mess that evil brings on the world, and defending the innocent from their evil takes away money that could otherwise be used to help humanity. Every year since 911 the United Stated has budgeted five hundred billion dollars per year for homeland security alone. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost in the neighborhood of three to four trillion dollars, and the loss of thousands of lives including civilians, American soldiers, and allies.

The tragedy of the theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado, was of course the loss of lives and injuries sustained. However, it will also cost millions to prosecute the shooter and cover the medical cost, and cost to the theater etc.

Where does evil come from?

Where does evil come from? If you believe the Bible there is plenty of information about evil, and its origin. If you don’t believe the Bible, you will have to settle for it just being in the mind and is sometimes acted out in very violent ways.

Evil had its beginning, according to the Bible, long before Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When God created angels, including Satan, who was originally an angel, he gave to them the propensity for evil, or freedom of choice. God didn’t create the acts of evil, but he did create the propensity to know good and evil. The question is why did God do that? In the first place, it is impossible to know the mind of God, for the Scripture says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” Isaiah 55:8. But it is apparent that God chose to give the angels the freedom to decide their love for him or choose to serve self and to gain the knowledge of good and evil. Satan and a third of the angels in heaven choose self and the knowledge of good and evil.

Actually, evil isn’t a thing that needed to be created; it is a result of the lack of righteousness. The less righteousness there is, the more evil. A good example is cold which also isn’t a thing, but  a result. It is the result of the lack of heat. We know that this is true because when the temperature falls to 438 degrees – absolute zero — it never can get any colder. If cold were a thing, it could continue to get colder just as heat can continue to get hotter and hotter.

When righteous Bible reading and prayer were removed from public school, evil moved in, and today public school has become a dangerous place because of it.

It was Satan who approached Eve in the garden and enticed her to choose self and the knowledge of good and evil over her love for God, and her obedience toward him. She had the same freedom as the angels to choose, and she chose wrongly, as well as her husband Adam.

Adam an Eve’s choice for the knowledge of good and evil was passed down from generation to generation and became an innate part of humanity, and the human heart became depraved of good, and so today we are stuck with the knowledge of that which is good and that which is evil, and we have a choice as to which will characterize our life. While most choose that which is on the good side, as far as their actions toward others, there are some who feed the evil side, whether for personal gain, or just a willingness to let it over take their mind and drive them to commit the horrendous acts of violence on society that are becoming far more frequent in our world today.

Why does God allow such evil like that which took place in Aurora, Colorado to happen?

The best answer I have for that is I don’t know. What I do know is that God has an overall plan that leads up to a time when total justice will be rendered for all the evil that has ever been committed; that will be at the time of God’s great judgment of the world. There will also be a time when all evil is done away with and only good remains. That time will be the heavenly age where none, but the righteous will be allowed.

What can be done to overcome the evil that is ever present?

All sin is a form of evil. Although sin may not always manifest itself in ways to bring great harm on others, it nevertheless has its harm.  The primary harm is that sin is a rebellion against God our creator. Just as the angels in heaven, along with Satan, rebelled against God, and Adam and Eve rebelled against God, so are we when we choose sin rather than obedience to God.

We all have a sin problem, for the Bible says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. Our only defense against sin and evil is God. The Bible reveals that there is a spiritual world which surrounds us that is invisible to the eye, but is the source of all evil. This invisible spiritual world is where the battle is centered. The spiritual world often spills over into the material world causing all the wars mankind has experienced over the years as well as every evil deed. It is Satan and his angels who are at war with us and all that is decent and good. Therefore, our only defense is the power of God. The Bible has declared“the gates of hell shall not prevail.” Our victory over evil is already secured. God in his word tells us the way to confront and to defeat evil, which is only available to those who are believers:

“Put on the whole armor of God, which you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saint”,  Ephesians 6:11-18.

Conclusion

Evil will be with us as long as the world stands, and evil acts will continue to worsen, according to the Bible, as we grow closer to the end of time, but in the end righteousness will prevail and the conflict between good and evil will be over for all eternity. What is essential for you and me is that we are on the right side. God alone offers the solution. He is the only one that can make sense out of an otherwise frustrating world. He alone can give us peace in the midst of the storm and victory at the end of the battle. Maybe today you have come to the end of your wits as far as the world is concerned, and you are looking for a solution. If so, I invite you to consider a relationship with the God of heaven who holds the keys to a future that does make sense, and promises you ultimate victory, and an eternal home in heaven after this life is over. Please take the time to read this article: How to have a relationship with God.

In the light of the most recent act of extreme evil in Aurora, Colorado, many are wondering why such a horrendous act has to happen. There of course are no simple answers, but what we do know is that the propensity to do evil lurks in each person; this is called human depravity. It is impossible to know why some choose to act out the worst kind of evil, while the great majority never does, but we can understand where evil comes from and how to confront it and that is the purpose of this paper.

[-1] Miriam Webster

Jimmie Burroughs: Founder of Christian personal development.

About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website, (Website Contents ) in your personal growth. If I can help you personally, please send your concerns via Contact me.

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