God’s Evil Spirit

December 26, 2022

“…an evil spirit from God came upon Saul.” (1 Samuel 18:10)

This verse has been a thorn in the side of many a commentator and preacher. How can God afflict someone with an evil spirit? This is a side of God we didn’t know and don’t wish to know! Sometimes we are so close to a situation that we cannot see it for what it really is; I think this is our problem with this text. 

Saul was jealous to the point of attempted murder. This jealousy and anger grew out of his own insecurities; he had been elevated beyond his ability, and feared this man whom he knew was highly capable—after all, David had attacked Goliath while Saul dithered.

Insecurity, jealousy, and anger are an open door to evil spirits, not necessarily in the ghostly sense of the word, but in the manner that such a mindset has predictable results, among them a desperation to hold onto whatever one has, and a corresponding fear of losing it. And as Saul became a prisoner of his own fears, he saw his greatest asset as his enemy. Instead of benefitting from David’s skill, he drove him away. The Bible records the sad story of a man driven by his fears. Earlier in 1 Samuel, he explains to Samuel his disobedience with a telling excuse: “I was afraid of the people.” 

It is always dangerous to embark on a course of action because you are afraid instead of in spite of your fears. That’s what Saul did. (1 Samuel 15:24) David on the other hand, saw the giant that struck fear into everyone’s hearts and ran towards him. Whatever fear he might have had, he stuffed it away. That is true courage.

Three times in 1 Samuel 18 it says “Saul was afraid.”

1. He was afraid because he knew the LORD had left him (v.12). That’s a legitimate fear, but one that was the result of his own actions. He was holding onto the wrong things—his own reputation instead of God’s.

2. He was afraid because David acted wisely and was loved by the people (v.15). He saw his own influence waning and David’s increasing. He continued to opt for his own reputation even when he saw his power and influence slipping.

3. He was afraid because his daughter loved David (vv.28-29). In his mind, his own family was turning against him. His fears prevented him from seeing life realistically; he became paranoid, defensive, and increasingly cut off from reality.

It was in fact, an evil spirit from God in the sense that the consequences of our behavior are ordained by God. God doesn’t stand between our actions and their results, preventing us from experiencing the consequences that are necessary for us to change. As Linus said, “Stupid should hurt.” Our refusal to let people face the consequences of their behavior breeds more of it. The end result is fear. If there are no consequences, life becomes meaningless and chaotic, which is a very fearful place to be.

So the question always comes back to me. What am I afraid of? Saul was afraid of losing the power and influence of his position to a successor. His fear only accelerated his demise. So I ask myself, “Am I more interested in maintaining position, influence and power than in God’s will?” Is there any hint of jealousy in me? Do I worry that my legacy will be forgotten? Fear makes people do strange things. The word of the LORD is so important that it is repeated at least 150 times in the Bible: “Fear not!”