What is Evil? Part Two

Picking up in Focus on the Family's Truth Project lesson on "Evil".

If man’s moral state, without God, is basically good, but evil is inherent in man, then where does evil come from? Secular humanists believe that evil comes from something, but not man. Dr. Tackett showed how the blame for evil in the world is given to mankind meeting their material, physical and emotional needs. American Psychologist Abraham Maslow outlined his theory of a hierarchy of needs, whereby people are motivated to reach man’s ultimate objective in the highest level called self-actualization, because he believed that “sick (evil) people are made by a sick culture”. Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers agreed with the main assumptions of Abraham Maslow, but added that for a person to "grow", they need an environment that provides them with genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood). He states that “experience leads me to believe that it is cultural influences, which are the major factor in our evil behaviors.” Note, no mention of God. This is the pernicious lie that doesn’t go away, that all we need is to get in touch with your inner nature by following our needs. No, the answer is not all about us getting what we want, when we want. The truth is that you don’t need to find yourself, but lose yourself. Don’t buy the lies. 

Colossians 3:5-10 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

If mankind is basically good, then that means we do not need a Savior or God. Christianity stands in opposition to self-actualization. Romans 3:22-24  says: “Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. What is evil? Maybe you’ve heard that as cold is the absence of heat and darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of God. I’ve also read before that evil is the presence of Satan (possibly referring to John 8:44). But evil basically is that which is contrary to God’s character and nature. God, Himself, is the standard by which all that is good is measured by. Creator God, who rightfully determines "right" from "wrong" by His perfect character and nature, is who we are accountable and responsible to. Fallen and rebellious man must indoctrinate against and destroy God’s social design in order to do what they want to do, wherever they want to do it. But we must remember that every unbeliever is a (P.O.W.) prisoner of war, held captive by sin, and needs to be set free by faith in Jesus. Not a single human being is worthless because they bear the image of God. That’s what John 3:16 is about. What is evil? - Something to get rid of by knowing and obeying God. It is the Truth that will set you and I free. The Gospel Truth is :Good News!"

Philippians 4:19-20 “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In Christ, Brian