What is evil?
Here's the answer:
Evil is whatever displeases God.
Calling something evil is the same as calling it bad or sinful. Evil things are against God. They displease and dishonor God. We can do evil things like treating others badly, being selfish, not listening to God, telling lies, or even having bad thoughts. Evil started with Satan, who is God's enemy.
Ever since Satan tempted Eve and she and Adam disobeyed God (Genesis 3), each person has been born a sinner, going his own evil way. But we can be forgiven and turn from evil by trusting Jesus. He died on the cross to pay the punishment for evil and came back to life to prove His victory over evil.
Bible Truth
"The LORD God gave the man a command. He said, 'You can eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden. But you must not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you can be sure that you will die'" (Genesis 2:16–17).
"Then keep your tongues from speaking evil. Keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil, and do good. Look for peace, and go after it" (Psalm 34:13–14).
"Stay away from every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
