St. Diadochus of Photice (Epirus) On the Natural World
2009 November 6
Saint Diadochus of photice
Evil does not exist by nature, nor is any man naturally evil, for God made nothing that was not good. When in the desire of his heart someone conceives and gives form to what in reality has no existence, then what he desires begins to exist. We should therefore turn our attention away from the inclination to evil and concentrate it on the remembrance of God; for good, which exists by nature, is more powerful than our inclination to evil. The one has existence while the other has not, except when we give it existence through our actions.
* Taken from On Spiritual Knowledge and Discrimination: One Hundred Texts.
I have a question. Does God perceive evil? I have read this quote during several days, each time with the same question. Now I understand that we, through sinning can “create” evil. But recently I had a powerful experience which suggested to me that for God evil does not exist. That, in effect, God sees only the good in our souls. And instead of the evil, there is a “nothingness” or “emptiness”. (Into which God pours GodSelf?) Perhaps that signifies that Jesus has “hidden” our sins (into Himself) and we then partake of his divinity in their place? I’m no theologian. And I would welcome any thoughts or theological guidance here.
Thank you.
I am no theologian either, yet I will try to answer your question. I do believe God sees the evil in our hearts, for it is in our hearts that God takes His abode (for the Kingdom of God is within us). How many times did Christ rebuke the pharisees for their behavior? It is clear that He sees the evil in their hearts yet rebukes them that they may turn their faces back unto Him. Although God sees the evil in our hearts, it does not mean He despises us or withdraws from us, rather if we turn to Him He is quick to hear and wipe away our sins. Also, St. Paul the Apostle calls himself the chief among sinners (even after his conversion), so it is clear that we sin and that our sins are not hidden by Christ, but that they are forgiven in Christ. And after we are forgiven, we still have the propensity to sin yet again, and so we remain sinners as long as we don’t abide in God. For with God their is no evil (or sin), but outside of God, there is darkness. God is Light.
For that is how sin entered into the world. Adam and Eve rejected God and sought their own will, that is to become like God without actually following God’s command not to eat of the forbidden fruit. For they were still babes (spiritually) and could not comprehend the mysteries of God. Instead, they chose to listen to the serpant who said they would become like God if they disobey Him. Had they not eaten of the forbidden fruit and continued to obey God’s commands, the Fathers of the Church say that Adam and Eve would have been granted the right to eat of the forbidden fruit after they would have matured in their souls. But, because they chose apostasy, or rather to depart from God, they chose evil instead of good. They basically tried to take a short cut, and so they ate of the forbidden fruit and experienced it’s affects. In simpler words: God is life, so to depart from God results in what else but death. And so death and decay were introduced into this world, not because God introduced it, but because man chose to do so, for God has given man free will.
If there was emptiness or nothingness in place of evil, what did Christ come to sanctify man from? Why do we need to be transfigured in the light of Christ if there is no evil in our hearts?And that is precisely what Christ did. He united His divine nature with human nature (this is the only time in history that God the uncreated One, in the person of His Son, united Himself with created matter) in order to sanctify the human soul, the human spirit, and the human body. In simple words: To complete the work Adam did not.
As for us, it is our choice to do evil or good; it is our choice to do things our way or to God’s way. These are not my opinions but those of the Fathers of the Church. If you have more questions or concerns, please feel free to ask!
Beautiful words, Moses. And I thank you for them. I am touched that you answered at such great length.
Yes, of course, God perceives that we have “created” evil. That makes sense. Yet what I’m wondering is “how that evil appears to God”. Well, I’m also thinking in terms of grace and forgiveness. So, don’t you think that grace, God’s energies, pour into “nothingness” if we repent? I know I can never really have an answer here. As what we’re discussing is beyond us, beyond our human comprehension. But still…. I had an awareness as if part of our soul that connects to God is “like” God… I’m not sure what I mean here, but that God sees the good in us, and overlooks the evil – (as if it had become transparent) in forgiveness.
I understand everything you’ve written so beautifully. And it’s not like I’m doubting that. Indeed it’s comforting you wrote it all down so succinctly and beautifully. I felt I had an insight, you see. As if God showed me that where I had thought was darkness, there was instead, to God’s gaze, like a beautiful night sky – full of starlight. (I hope you don’t mind I told you this.) As if part of me was joined to the universe or as if the universe was flowing through me. Except it was also all around me.
I’m still stuck on evil as nothingness…. like a black hole. And then as grace filling that “black hole” in a way that transforms us. As if redemption really made a huge difference! And I could “see” that. I guess that’s what I saw, what I understood.
I’m just relating my experience to the quote you put up. Because it made me feel as if the author was saying something that touched upon this image that came to me. (Too bad we can’t ask the author! )
Thank you for listening, Moses. And for your lovely reply. And this beautiful site. God is good!
(Ok, I just reread what you wrote… and maybe what I “saw” was like God’s abode within. Like the “Kingdom of Heaven” within! Wow! Because it was exactly where my heart would be. Except all the way through. As if I was granted a glimpse of that.)
Peace be with you. I think I’m at peace now.
Thank you for clarifying what you meant. Yes I understand what you are trying to say now. It is God’s abode within the heart! I am glad you find these quotes helpful, I do too! May God be with you always!
Bless you, Moses! It is a great, great comfort to me that you have confirmed this for me. And your own words helped me understand it better. I thank you for that. May God be with you always as well. And may God shine through us. I can see your joy!