Evil Is Only Spoiled Goodness (C.S. Lewis Was Right)
Evil needs creativity, strategy, trust and honor to function — and all of those are good. As C.S. Lewis put it, badness is only spoiled goodness.
C.S. Lewis pointed out that the world can have unalloyed good, but not unalloyed evil. (In Mere Christianity he wrote, “Even to be bad he must borrow or steal from his opponent.”)
Meaning: pure goodness can exist, but pure evil cannot.
Because in order for evil to be effective, it requires creativity and strategy. It requires knowledge of the other (sometimes called relationship). Some evil schemes require partnership, which requires some level of trust and commitment and honor.
Strategy, creativity, relationship, trust, commitment, and honor are good characteristics, even if turned toward evil.
Even evil cannot escape from the imprint of God.
A Prayer from Isaiah 59
Lord, Isaiah 59:19 says, “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
Thank you, God, that the good always triumphs, and that even great evil retains aspects of your goodness.
Thank you that despite the violence and turmoil of the enemy, you withstand the destructive force.
And as Isaiah concludes chapter 59 so beautifully, we can do nothing but rejoice. “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”
We say yes, Lord. Thank you for generational faithfulness. Thank you that you create communities—that unlike a house divided, which tears down and destroys, you build a house dedicated to love and support. Thanks be to God. Amen.
May we live for the praise of his glory,
Amy Joy
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