The Real Root of All Evil

It is often said that money is the root of all evil.  Indeed the scriptures tell us (1 Timothy 6:10) that specifically the “love of money” is the root of all evil.  But we understand there are many sins that have nothing to do with money, so we have to look at the verse in context.

“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.”  Here we see money was the root of all the evils of those who coveted after it and allowed it to compromise the tenets of their faith.

There is, however, another portion of scripture in the New Testament that I believe provides us an explanation of the cause of ALL evil in the world.  It seems too simple that there is a singular problem with mankind that causes us to sin, but I believe the first chapter of Romans does provide us with a powerful and concise explanation.   

​Romans 1:20-25:
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"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.  Amen."

​​I underlined the parts of the passage I want to bring out as key points. 

There is no such thing as an atheist.  I find it hard to believe that anyone could look at the beauty and majesty of creation and arrive at the conclusion that it is all a serendipitous result of cosmic happenstance.  We have the evidence of God the creator right in front of us, so there is no excuse for unbelief.
 
So, what is the cause of evil?  Not glorifying God as God and not being thankful.  (I suppose that really is two causes, but I believe they go together.)  Along with that comes worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator (which brings us back to the love of money- a “thing” that people have created and tried to elevate above God).

In this same chapter, verses 26 and 27 specifically address homosexuality; then verses 29-31 give us a list of some of the other problems in the world, all prompted by the failure to honor God as God- the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent Creator- and to be thankful for His perfect design: “fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful”.

​It is easy to understand that sin is disobedience, but we disobey whenever we fail to recognize His creative power and His authority over all creation.  I believe that much of the moral decline of our society can be attributed to the theory of evolution being widely embraced as scientific fact.  People have bent and stretched the definition of science for the express purpose of denying the Creator.

​Not honoring God as Creator is the starting point of sin for many, while others may espouse the idea of Intelligent Design and still fail to honor God as God in other areas by simply not following His divine instructions outlined for us in the Bible. 

​Now that we understand the cause of sin, at a base level, what is the antithesis of a sinful life?  Romans 1 gives us the answer for that, too!

Verse 16 says: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  And verse 17 delivers the final answer: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (For further study, the last part of verse 17 is a reference to Habakkuk 2:4.)

​How beautifully the Word of God fits together!  It doesn't condemn and just point out all the weaknesses of man.  It mercifully gives us instruction for how not to fail.  The antithesis of a sinful life- one of wickedness, deceitfulness, envy, pride, etc.- is one of faith in Jesus and the redemption that comes from Him alone.