Where does all of this rebellion come from?

on Mar 17, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: When I see the extreme rebellion today on college campuses, on our city streets and even in the courts and churches, I wonder if God wishes he had created robots, like the United Kingdom did, naming them Adam and Eve. Where does all of this rebellion come from? – R.H.

A: Adam and Eve weren’t robots. They were created in the image of God and placed in a perfect setting where they walked with God in Eden. He loved them and gave them the opportunity to love Him back with their obedience. They were free to choose God’s way or reject Him.

Something went radically wrong – something so devastating and so catastrophic that we’re still living with its terrible consequences today. Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God. They decided to go their own way.

But one day, Satan (whose name means “Adversary”) met them. At the dawn of creation, the Bible tells us, Satan had been one of God’s angels, created by God to serve Him and do His will. But Satan was determined to take God’s place. He and his followers rebelled against God, and he became a powerful spiritual force whose sole goal was (and is) to oppose those who are obedient to God. Satan wanted to be God – the “Most High” (Isaiah 14:14, NKJV). Satan is real. The Bible records these facts: the devil leads the whole world astray (see Revelation 12:9–10). It also labels him a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44). He is the wicked one (see 1 John 5:19) and is our adversary (see 1 Peter 5:8).

When we reject this truth, we’re in rebellion against God. We’re saying that we are wiser than God and our way is better than His. Adam and Eve’s decision is repeated by every person in every generation. What’s the solution? Receiving Christ and following Him puts us on a new path of life everlasting.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)