We have all surely asked in our hearts: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil to happen?” Whether when seeing terrible crime news, experiencing painful loss, or when there is no justice for suffering victims. This question is very human and real. However, the Bible gives us an honest, complex, and hopeful picture about this.
1. This World Is Not As It Was Originally Created
Before talking about evil, we need to understand one thing: the world today is not as God intended when He created it. Originally, the world was good and perfect.
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
There was no death, no suffering, no sin. However, when humans chose to rebel against God through the fall of Adam and Eve, evil entered the world and corrupted that beautiful order (Genesis 3). Evil does not come from God, but is the result of human freedom deviating from His will.
2. God Gives Freedom, and That Freedom Can Be Misused
One of the greatest gifts God gave to humans is the freedom to choose. But this freedom carries consequences. We can choose to love, but we can also choose to hurt.
“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.” (Deuteronomy 30:15)
Evil exists not because God does not care, but because He did not create humans as robots who would obey automatically. God desires sincere love and choices that come from the heart, not compulsion. Unfortunately, in a sinful world, that freedom is often used for wrong purposes.
3. God Can Use Evil for Greater Good
This does not mean God likes evil. Absolutely not. However, in His infinite wisdom, God often weaves dark life stories into something that glorifies Him and restores us.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)
The clearest example is the cross. The death of Jesus Christ was the greatest act of evil ever: an innocent person was crucified. But from that cross came salvation for all humanity.
4. God Is Not Silent: He Comes Down to Save
God is not a passive deity sitting idly by watching human suffering. He actually came down to the world in human form, Jesus Christ, to experience that suffering Himself. He knows what it feels like to be hurt, betrayed, even killed.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)
This means that when we face evil, we are not alone. We have a God who understands, who has stood in that dark place, and who is able to support us through it.
5. There Will Come a Time When Evil Is Completely Destroyed
One of the greatest promises in the Christian faith is: evil will not triumph forever. There will be a day of judgment, when all that is evil will be judged and every tear will be wiped away.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death.” (Revelation 21:4)
So, if today you feel like evil is winning and God is silent, remember: this story is not over. God is not finished working.
Conclusion: In the Midst of Evil, God Is Still Present
Why does God allow evil to happen? Because the world has fallen, because humans have freedom, and because even through suffering God is still at work. He does not always prevent us from pain, but He is always present in that pain. For those of you who are questioning or hurting, embrace this truth: God is not far away. He is near, weeping with us, and is restoring the world in ways we often do not understand now, but will be grateful for later.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:19)
