I thought I would take a crack at this one, since it appears to be the one question that throws so many people off, and even discourages them from believing. In writing this I will be borrowing ideas from Pastor John MacArthur, Dr Michael Heiser, Dr Frank Turek and many others I have encountered over the years.
First off let me say while I will provide some interesting and useful insights, I will stop woefully short of satisfying some of the readers who may have suffered enormous loss and pain. This article in no way seeks to explain away or diminish your pain. There is very little that can be said when someone loses a child, a loved one, perhaps a whole family, or experiences some other gut-wrenching, life changing experience. May God be with you and give you His comfort to see your way through.
The reasons for allowing things like the holocaust or many other unexplainably horrific events are known only to God. We are well within our God given rights to ask Him WHY he allowed them when these things happen. But ultimately the answer may not come this side of heaven. We might end up receiving the answer that Job received after his tragedies, which is found in Job Chapter 38 and subsequent. Sometimes we won’t understand ‘just yet’.
There are some who say that God is not in control of evil and He is not in any way responsible for some of these things. As Pastor John MacArthur points out – God is either in control of evil, or evil is in control of God – which of course would be very problematic. God must be sovereign, or we have little to hope for with any certainty in this life, or the next. While God does not cause, nor did He create evil, He certainly allowed it to enter the world and He frequently triumphs over it. God is only good, and those who choose against Him essentially create evil.
Having said these things, let’s look at some of the reasons evil exists in the world. Principally God created us in His image. He desires that all should choose Him freely and act according to His plan. Yet this ‘essential’ free will, which enables us to truly love God, has become the source of most of the world’s evils, as people and nations continually choose to hurt and destroy one another. Bad choices are made daily, such as to deliberately hurt others, or to perhaps drive while drunk, or to take an overdose, etc etc. These choices have consequences for everyone. Some have suggested that God should not have created anyone who He knew would do evil. Some theologians in response to that criticism, believe that God limits His foreknowledge of what exactly all people would choose. While this is not a very widely held belief, it does provide comfort and may explain a lot if true. We should consider this.
In fact, as a result of man’s choices in the Garden of Eden, this has become a fallen world. We see everything from car wrecks to cancer, tumbleweeds to tornadoes, earaches to earthquakes, and hiccups to hurricanes. Of course, it is very tragic when people get caught in these events.
In Luke 13:1-5 states the words of Jesus, which I list here to point out that evil things according to Jesus can happen to anyone. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” In other words, in my view, Jesus is saying that often even innocent people “perish”. These people did not bring these events upon themselves.
Jesus further states in John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Bible tells us there are evil spiritual beings that rule over territories. They are called powers and principalities in high places and they exert great influence over willing participants in these geographical areas. Paul alludes to these beings as demonic and to be avoided. For a full and well supported treatise on the effect of ruling sub-powers in this world you might look at the book, The Unseen Realm by Dr Michael Heiser. Your eyes will surely be opened and you will see the destructive nature, even today, of these beings. Ever notice how some countries are so dark and desolate?
Switching gears a bit, we see that God allows suffering in our lives in some cases for our spiritual growth and to bring us closer to Him. Times of difficulty will undoubtedly reveal parts of ourselves that we were not aware of. Referencing Job, we see that his trials were meant to demonstrate his faithfulness in the face of enormous loss, which he neither caused nor deserved. When he remained faithful in spite of the loss of his family and livelihood, he demonstrated to himself and God that his love for God was not solely based upon the copious blessings he received.
Charles Stanley points out that God allows physical pain into our lives in many cases to teach us to avoid certain activities or to stop doing something harmful. He uses the example of a broken kneecap and how that pain will teach us to get it treated rather than to ignore it, allowing it to get worse. Emotionally, the pain of sin, guilt and shame which comes as a result of disobedience will serve to discourage us from continuing on in these activities.
Pain and suffering also drive us closer to God if we allow it. People are normally much more interested in seeking God when they are in need of His comfort. Suffering also equips believers, as Charles Stanley points out, to help others going through challenges and difficulties. Finally, it causes us to focus on the next life as our hope of peace and joy, and to do what is necessary to obtain eternal life.
Is 57:1-2 (ESV) states “The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart, devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; 2 he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.” Another reason why God may allow the untimely or unexpected death of loved ones may be found in this passage. In this world with all of its troubles and perils – both present and no doubt future – we can see that those who leave us and enter into their heavenly rest are far better off than we. Most of our grieving in death is really for ourselves who are left behind in any case.
John MacArthur asks “is God more glorious or less glorious as a result of evil”? The answer is obvious. When the Lord conquers evil, He is glorified. God the father even sent His only begotten son to this planet to become a man and to suffer a horrible death that we might believe in Him and live eternally. One can only imagine the depth and fullness of pain and sorrow that the Father and the Son felt during the time of the crucifixion. As normal people can feel great pain and suffering, how much greater was the grief and sorrow of God the father and God the Son during that time of separation when Christ was subjected to mankind’s folly and cruelty. God knows what it is like to lose a son.
In some cases anyway, even those who have suffered great loss may realize and be thankful for the many, many times God has no doubt protected us all from far worse tragedies. We are likely protected countless times per day by our gracious God. At difficult times I have learned to tell myself not to ask “why me”, but rather “why not me”.
God often “pays back” those who suffer enormously with blessing and comfort. He promises to bring good from the evil caused by satan. He causes things to work for our good and often restores several fold the losses we experience, especially if we remain open and attentive during our pain and sorrow, rather than allowing bitterness to drive us away from Him.
In conclusion I remind the reader that your pain cannot be explained away, and this article would never seek to do so. Some of these sorrows can be explained only by God on the day when we meet Him. In the meantime, it is wise to:
- Keep your heart soft toward God and don’t get bitter. As Peter once said “Lord to whom would we turn, only you have the words of eternal life”.
- Stay “prayed up” each day by citing Psalm 91 and other protective passages of scripture out loud, and using the “sword of the spirit which is the word of God.”
- Find healing or other appropriate verses as needed and speak them out loud.
- Avoid doing things that invite danger if possible and use all known safety precautions. Don’t presume upon God.
- Avoid saying or doing things that may open spiritual doors to the enemy. The court of heaven is populated by the “accuser of the brethren” which is satan who accuses us and looks for legal openings to harm us, and the Lord Jesus Who is our advocate and defender with God the father. For more on this concept see some of the books on the legal aspects of heaven by Robert Henderson.
- FINALLY, NEVER EVER blame yourself when something negative happens. Do what you can, but the rain will always fall on the just and the unjust – according to King Solomon. You are likely not responsible for these things happening and you must not feel guilt and shame on top of everything else. It does no good. Give it all to God.
Lastly when bad things happen – remember GOD IS NOT PUNISHING YOU! Your sin has been handled at the cross when it was placed upon your savior. So do not think evil events are God punishing you.
