An Evil Spirit from God?  How can that be!?

Question:

The bible states that an EVIL spirit from God tormented Saul.  How can an EVIL spirit come from God?

Submitted by TW on August 10, 1998

Answer:  (Given by Bro. Don Raines)

Intro: There seems to be resistance to accept anything that could be construed as bad or evil, as coming from God. There are several reason for this resistance:

1. There is no darkness or sin in God. 1 John 1:5
2. He does not tempt with evil. James 1: 13-14
3. God is not willing for any to be lost. John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9

1. Clearly there is no sin with God, nor does he tempt us with evil, and He wants all men to be saved. However, there are many facets of God. God is both severe and merciful. Let’s look at some of the other facets of God. They will help us to see other characteristics of God’s nature
2. First of all, let us understand that God created all things, even evil (trouble/confusion). Nothing exists without God’s permission, including evil.
3. Secondly, we are not capable of understanding God’s ways.

1. David said he could not attain to God’s wisdom. Psalms 139: 1-6
2. Paul says God’s ways are past finding out. Romans 11:33-36
3. Isaiah said God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than mans. Isa. 55:8-9

     D. Thirdly, it is not wise to question God’s ways Romans 9: 9-16

1. Because God chose Jacob over Esau does not mean He is unrighteous.
2. Because God chose to harden Pharaoh’s heart, does not mean that God is to be faulted. He can harden whom he wills.
3. When God acts, we must not question or judge His actions.

    E.  What we sometimes construe as evil is simply god’s punishment and vengeance for disobedience.

1. Take Israel for an example. God promised to bless Israel if they were obedient to his commandments. (Deut. 28: 1-14)
2. God also promised to curse them if they disobeyed his commandments. (Deut. 28: 22 & 25-29)

     3.   Was Saul’s torment a result of evil from God or punishment for disobedience?

1. 1 Samuel 15. God commands Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites and all that they possess.
2. But Saul disobeyed God and took certain of the spoil and spared Agag the king.
3. God viewed his disobedience as witchcraft. (1 Sam. 15: 22-23)
4. God punished Saul by rejecting him and took away his kingdom. He also appointed another man to be king. A man after his own heart. David, son of Jesse.

1. This punishment was a gradual loss of power and sanity. 1 Samuel 16: 14-23
   1. This "evil" spirit was actually a "troubling" spirit. It robbed Saul of peace of mind and produced temporary madness. Compare Daniel 4: 28-33, Nebuchadnezar’s madness.
   2. What happened to Saul was Gods’ judgment. He sinned. He was punished.

Conclusion: God is not one dimentional. He is multifaceted. He has many characteristics in his nature. God sent an "evil" spirit to torment Saul as part of his punishment for disobedience. It was evil in that it was a "troubling" spirit, that robbed Saul of peace of mind and caused temporary madness.

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