Thought for the Day

God is the Creator of all things, and He has created man and angels with a free will, therefore allowing wickedness to exist. Through the ages, people have struggled to understand why He created the devil who has caused so much suffering. We must realize that God never desired evil to exist. He created angels as sinless beings and gave them the ability to make moral choices. Ezekiel 28:15 records that God created Satan, originally called Lucifer, without sin. Lucifer was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty; he was the anointed cherub who walked upon the holy mountain of God. Despite these honors, he was not content with his position. Corrupted by pride, he attempted to usurp God's authority. By his own choice, he became evil. He desired God's throne and set his will against God's. Five times he said "I will" in Isaiah 14:13-14: "...For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High..."

The Lord never meant for evil to exist. It is simply the opposite of good. For evil to exist, someone has to exercise their free will to choose to do evil. It is simply the corruption of goodness, and came into existence through Lucifer's choice to sin. He is now called Satan, which comes from a Hebrew word signifying an adversary, an enemy, an accuser. He opposes God's plans; is the enemy of men (especially God's people); and attempts to overthrow God's kingdom on earth. We gain a glimpse of his evil knowledge, strength, glitter, and inevitable end from Ezekiel 28:12-19 and the above passage in Isaiah.

Eastern religions claim that the powers of good and evil are equally balanced. This is a lie. Satan's power is not equal to God's. God's omnipotence is inconceivably greater than any power that He originally delegated to the angels. We must remember, however, that although these supernatural beings are limited, they still have power and can use it for evil. Satan is still the dark prince, a fallen angel who is the god of this world today. He still rules over evil spirits, human beings, and even nations that choose the same path of rebellion against God that he himself chose.

Anyone who is ignorant of Satan and his devices will inevitably become his victim. Those who are filled with the Spirit of God, however, have no need to fear him. Jesus Christ defeated him at the cross (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus said, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18). We now have authority over him through Christ (Luke 10:19). Though the earth is Satan's present abode, he will be brought down to hell. Whoever refuses to repent of the same choice and rebels against God like Satan did, will ultimately share his torment in the lake of fire.