Sometimes when studying God's Word, the avid Bible student will come across a passage that is more than just difficult to understand. In fact, it may just be downright hard to understand. Sometimes this passage may lead the student to a temporary battle with confusion and questions concerning God and His nature.
Such is the case with passages like Judges 9:23, 1 Kings 22:20-23, 2 Chronicles 18:20-22, and even passages in the New Testament like 2 Thessalonians 2:11 where "God sent a strong delusion, that they might believe a lie". Does this mean that God sends or sent evil spirits to people? Does this mean that God caused or causes people to sin? Don't these things defy the nature of God?
Let us begin by establishing the nature of God. The Lord is holy (Isaiah 6:3), and it is established that he cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Thus, any lying that may be done must be attributed to some other being. As we continue to observe the nature of God we see that he does not tempt man (James 1:13-15). In fact, James gives a rather stern warning not to say that when we are tempted that we are tempted by God. He clarifies the point further by saying that when we are tempted, we are tempted by our own desires. Not only does God not tempt us, he keeps the faithful Christian from being tempted beyond that which they can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). This along should be sufficient to realize that God is not to blame when man falls prey to his temptations.
Let us continue by examining the nature of these passages. In Judges 9 and 1 Kings 22 we see an evil spirit being sent to man. Notice in 1 Kings 22 that in vs. 19 this account is presented from the standpoint of a vision. Wayne Jackson notes that it is "highly symbolic; it is folly to press it as though it were a literal circumstance". He further writes:
"…there is a common idiom in sacred literature by which the permissive will of God is expressed in forceful, active jargon. For example, the Lord is said to have "deceived" His people (Jer. 4:10), or to have given them "statutes that were not good" (Ezek. 20:25). In the New Testament, God is characterized as sending a strong delusion that some might believe a lie and be condemned (2 Thes. 2:11-12).
All of these passages simply indicate that when men are determined to disobey their Maker, He will allow them to follow the base inclination of their own hearts."
All of these things can relate to the type of situation described in Romans 1:18-32. There we read that God "gave them up" or "gave them over" to their iniquity. Surely when man abandons God, the Lord will allow him to suffer from his evil devising.
Examine also briefly the nature of these "spirits". God is the creator of all, and none other is eternal (without beginning or ending, Isa. 45:5-6). These spirits were not created by God as a temptation, because God does not tempt man (cf. James 1:13). God will not tolerate any sin in heaven (Revelation 21:27), and so as beings rebelled against Him (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) they were cast out. Even the devil (who had a beginning, 1 John 3:8) sinned and suffers the same fate. All of these things, and the imagery described in 2 Chronicles 18 point toward the fact that as created beings, these spirits had an opportunity to be obedient to God or to choose rebellion. Many chose disobedience. James writes of the demons that believe and tremble, but are still not obedient to God (Jas. 2:19). The ability to choose is a similarity between us and them. The sad truth is, though, that these beings also have no benefit from Christ's blood (Hebrews 2:16) and no hope of redemption. In making such decisions they become subject to eternal punishment.
From all of these things realize this: God ultimately gives His creation the right to choose obedience or disobedience. Even in the cases where spirits lied, the hearers had an opportunity to choose to heed or flee the lie. In heeding a lie, they fell victim to their own desires based on what they heard. God does not tempt man.
Footnotes:
Jackson, Wayne. Does God Condone Lying?. http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/686-does-god-condone-lying
Winkler, Dan. Angels: The Ministers of Heaven. Pp 20-21. Winkler Publications 2005
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