Question:
Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” Does this mean God created sin? If not, how should we understand this verse?
Answer:
No. The Bible nowhere teaches that God is the author of sin. In fact, inspiration teaches the very opposite.
Speaking of Lucifer, Ezekiel says, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” (Ezekiel 28:15)
Notice that Lucifer was created perfect. Sin was not placed within him by God. Iniquity was later “found” in him because he chose to depart from God’s ways.
James likewise tells us, “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13)
John adds, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
These passages leave no room for the idea that moral evil originated with God.
So what does Isaiah 45:7 mean? The answer is found in the context.
Throughout Isaiah 40–48, the Lord is declaring His sovereignty over the nations. He raises up kings, removes kingdoms, blesses, and judges according to His wisdom. The word evil in Isaiah 45:7 is not referring to moral wickedness but to calamity or judgment.
The Lord is saying that He brings peace, but He also brings judgments upon those who persist in rebellion. Just as He gives prosperity, He may also permit adversity. That is very different from saying He creates sin. There is an important distinction that must be made.
God created beings with the freedom to choose. He did not create the sinful choices they made.
Sin originated when Lucifer turned away from the God who had made him perfect. The responsibility for that rebellion rests with the creature, never with the Creator.
Understanding that truth prepares us for another important question. If God knew Lucifer would rebel before He created him, why did He create him at all?
That is the subject of our next Bible Answer.
