Understanding Evil

(Does God cause bad things to happen? If God is sovereign, good, and loving, why doesn’t He stop so much evil?)

How do you make sense of the evil that is in the world? You don’t have to look very far, listen to much radio, or search many television channels to find horrific news. Mass shootings, martyrdom of Christians, child abuse, human trafficking, and the list could go on. At times, when a report of something terrible comes out, someone will say “that’s just evil.” Probably one of the greatest challenges faced by Christianity and Christians is the reality of evil and suffering.

Key thought: The existence of evil and suffering reminds us of our need for a Savior who will ultimately deliver us from death, hell, and destruction.

Statements of Fact:

(some material gleaned from sermon by John MacArthur)¹

1. Evil Exists
   1. Natural Evil – external, the presence of that which is dangerous, natural evil is creation in its fallen condition. 
      
      Romans 8:20–22 (NASB95)  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
      
      
      
   2. Moral Evil – internal, present, spiritual wickedness, transgression, sin, dominates the human condition, every human heart.
      
      

      Why does God let bad things happen to good people?
      Romans 3:23 (NASB95)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

   3. Supernatural Evil – demonic beings, spiritual entities, who are corrupt, liars, deceivers, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12-13).
      
      Revelation 12:7–9 (NASB95) And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
      
      
2. God Exists – if the problem of evil and suffering causes you to question the existence of God, then you are left with utter hopelessness and no measure or standard of what is good and/or evil.
   
   “He created everything, He controls everything, He will culminate everything.” (Colossians 1)
   
   Daniel 4:35 (NASB95) “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
   
   Deuteronomy 32:39 (NASB95) See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
   
   Exodus 4:11 (NASB95)  The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
   
   One of the most common arguments atheists challenge Christians with is the so-called “problem of pain.” If there’s an all-powerful, loving God, why do bad things happen? Well, the believer can turn right around and challenge the atheist: “In your worldview, by what standard do you define good or bad things?”

A Biblical Response:

Solving the seeming contradiction between a loving God and the reality of evil is usually referred to as a theodicy. A theodicy attempts to solve the apparent tensions in what is often termed the problem of evil.²

Most people struggle with the philosophical, logical, and emotional explanations to this question.

God is sovereign and allows evil: Psalm 105:16; 2 Kings 17:25; Lamentations 3:37-38

Psalm 105:16 (NASB95)  And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.

2 Kings 17:25 (NASB95) At the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them which killed some of them.

Lamentations 3:37–38 (NASB95) Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it?  Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both good and ill go forth?

God has a purpose for evil (Romans 8:28; Job)

God is holy, cannot do evil, does not look upon evil positively, God is incapable of evil.

God’s response to evil and suffering is the cross and resurrection.

How do we reconcile God’s sovereignty, goodness, holiness, power, mercy, love with evil? God has overcome evil through the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

• authority of scripture
• reality of Christ as one and only Savior

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NASB95)  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Considering all the evil in the world, does God really care about us? Not only does He care, but He cares enough to have sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us. Because of God’s great love and sacrifice, we now have a way to be reconciled with Him through Christ. This does not mean that we will no longer suffer in this world, but it does mean that we will spend eternity with God. There will come a day when God “will wipe every tear from” our eyes and, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things” will pass away (Revelation 21:4).

Psalm 135:3 (NASB95) Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB95) Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Conclusion:

We dare not speak on God’s behalf to explain why He allowed these particular acts of evil to happen at this time to these persons and in this manner. Yet, at the same time, we dare not be silent when we should testify to the God of righteousness and love and justice who rules over all in omnipotence. Humility requires that we affirm all that the Bible teaches, and go no further. There is much we do not understand. As Charles Spurgeon explained, when we cannot trace God’s hand, we must simply trust His heart. And so, we weep with those who weep, and we reach out with acts of care and compassion. We pray for those who are grieving and have experienced such loss. We cry for the children lost in this storm, even as we are so thankful for brave people who did their best to save lives as the winds raged. And, we pray: Even so, Lord come quickly.³

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (NASB95)  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

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Foot Notes

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LFzk1afiD8
2. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/how-can-god-allow-so-much-evil-and-suffering/
3. https://albertmohler.com/2013/05/21/the-goodness-of-god-and-the-reality-of-evil-4