A: Dear Anson,

We need to remember that God did not create a devil, but a perfect angel. The Bible says of Lucifer “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15). When Satan did sin, it was the first time anyone had ever obeyed God, and the heavenly beings weren’t sure it was a bad idea because they didn’t really understand what the consequences would be. It’s just like when we disobey our moms and dads and nothing bad happens right away. Let’s say mom and dad tell you never to run out into the street or you’ll get hit by a car. One day while playing ball, the ball rolls into the street, and without thinking, you run after it and DON’T get hit! You may begin to think, Mom and Dad are wrong. I went out into the street and didn’t get hit by a car! And you may begin to think that disobeying them is okay. When Satan first disobeyed, he said disobeying would be better than obeying; that it would be more fun, and that the only reason God made up His rules was because He liked to boss people around. If God would have destroyed Satan just then, it would have made it look like Satan was right. God had to allow sin to develop so the consequences could be seen. This is what Jesus was teaching in the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). The wheat represented God and His followers, and the weeds represented Satan and his followers. Jesus said “Let both grow together until the harvest,” that is, until full-grown, so they can be seen for what they really are. God is allowing Satan and his evil work to continue until the harvest, so every creature can see for himself that Satan’s ways are all evil, and God’s ways are all good. Then Satan will be destroyed, along with all who have chosen the path of disobedience with him.