The Talking Snake

The Talking Snake

Recently, at a men’s group, I was asked this question: “Did God create evil?” Because of the intensity of this person’s voice, this question had been vexing his mind for some time.  In fact, it is a question that has been debated down through the centuries. Realizing that there is no easy answer, I shared my conviction on the source of evil.

The Bible reveals that God made human beings with the ability to choose. It is called free will. Angels also have this ability. The prophet Isaiah tells us that one of those angels, Lucifer, decided he wanted to be like God. Because of his choice, he along with one third of the angels were barred from God’s presence.

In the opening chapter of Genesis, we see God creating man and woman and giving them a wonderful creation to enjoy and govern. Only one rule, “Don’t eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” There were all kinds of other trees in the garden from which to eat but not that one. The penalty for eating from this tree was death.

One day, Lucifer, disguised as a talking snake, made a very convincing argument for the woman and the man to eat the forbidden fruit. He convinced them that God was holding out on them and if they but eat from that tree, they too shall be like God. They made a choice to believe the talking snake.

The consequence of their disobedience was same as it was for Lucifer, banishment from God’s presence. In the Bible, the void of God’s presence is a death of relationship that creates a vacuum in which we are left to fend for ourselves. Our choices are based on desire, need, lies, selfishness and ignorance of God’s ways. In this vacuum, the talking snake continues to encourage us to choose what is best for me which in turn sets up a domino effect of evil. The whole of creation is set askew.

Jesus says that the talking snake is there to “steal and kill and destroy. I came so that you can have real and eternal life, more and better life than you every dreamed of.”