Beliefs of Christadelphians about Satan and Evil: To understand what the Bible teaches about evil, it is necessary to define two terms used in it: “Satan,” a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “adversary” or “opponent,” which can be used in both good and bad senses; and “devil,” derived from a Greek term meaning “false accuser” or “one who slanders.”
Both words are used to describe opposition to something. Many believe these terms can refer to a supernatural being who tempts humans to reject God’s ways and lead them to sin. However, the Bible clearly states that we humans are quite capable of this on our own. We will see that “Satan” or “devil” in the Bible often personifies the natural, selfish tendencies of humans that need to be controlled to achieve what God intends for humanity.
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Where does evil come from? (Christadelphians belief about evil)
- Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
- Genesis 6:5: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
- Genesis 8:21: And the LORD smelled a sweet savor, and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground anymore for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.
- Ecclesiastes 9:3: This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
- Mark 7:21-22: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness…
- Hebrews 3:12: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
These verses clearly state that evil and opposition to God originate from the human heart. They make no mention of any other factor influencing humans’ evil choices apart from their own thoughts or what they learn from others. It is good to understand that this is true for all humans. We can attribute the evil we create in the world to nothing outside ourselves.
What causes humans to create evil? (Christadelphians belief)
- Genesis 3:6: When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
- James 1:14-15: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
- James 4:1: From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
- Ephesians 4:22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
- Hebrews 3:13: But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- Romans 7:19-20: For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- 2 Peter 2:18-20: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- 1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The human heart is the source of desires that lead to opposition to God: the desire for things that bring physical pleasure but often result in harming others; the desire for things that please the eyes and often lead to oppression of others; and the desire to satisfy pride, which often results in neglectful or contemptuous behavior towards others.
How to fight evil?
- 1 Peter 4:1-2: Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
- Colossians 1:21-23: And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in his sight, if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
- Romans 7:14-20: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
- Ephesians 6:11-18: Put on the whole armor of God, that 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 saints.
This battle between good and evil is not a physical struggle against other humans but requires an armor that fights on a different level – in the human heart – where our emotions, thoughts, and will reside. We need to equip ourselves with the same mindset that Christ had, one that was obedient to his Father’s will.
Often, this opposition to God is expressed through the hearts of people in power, in the governance of the world around us, as seen in the persecution of the Ephesian church or even within the “church” as among the Jewish leaders in the first century. Even then, the battle is not fought with physical weapons but with the weapons of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer.
Why is evil associated with darkness?
- Psalms 107:10-13: Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
- Proverbs 2:10-15: When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul; Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you: To deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths.
- Proverbs 4:18-19: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
- John 3:19-21: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
- John 8:12: Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Read more : What do Christadelphians believe about the resurrection?
Evil is associated with darkness because those who act wickedly often prefer to do so in secret, away from the eyes of others, to avoid the shame and consequences of their actions. The metaphor of darkness signifies ignorance, confusion, and deceit. Light, on the other hand, represents knowledge, clarity, and truth. To follow Christ is to live in the light, where our actions are visible and aligned with God’s will.
In summary, the Bible’s teachings on Satan and evil emphasize that the source of evil lies within the human heart and its desires. Combatting evil requires adopting a mindset aligned with Christ’s, equipping oneself with spiritual armor, and striving to live in the light of truth and righteousness.
