Why did this difficult situation happen?
Was it because God wanted (or willed) it to happen?
Did it happen because of people and their choices?
And/Or was it the devil who caused it to happen?
When it comes to the most common objections or doubts that people have with the idea of God’s existence or character, frequently leading the list is the following question:
“How can an all-powerful God who is perfectly good and loving allow evil and suffering in the world?”
The following article will seek to address this question through a consideration of “boundaries:”
- What is God’s role or responsibility when it comes to evil, disease, suffering, calamity, etc?
- Does mankind bear any blame or responsibility when it comes to evil and suffering?
- Just as a federal government may respectfully not intervene with states’ rights in some governmental systems, is it possible that God has delegated His authority to mankind, and that evil is the byproduct of mankind’s failure to abide by God’s instructions and laws?
- Just as a parent may not constantly intervene to prevent every single foolish action of his children, is it possible that God permits His creation or children to suffer the consequences of their actions?
- Is it possible that God does not immediately intervene in every single evil situation without His creation’s permission, humility, and cooperation, lest otherwise He prove Himself to be an overbearing, controlling Father?
- What role (if any) might supernatural entities like Satan and demons have when it comes to evil and suffering?
The following three lists of bullet points will examine God’s “boundaries” when it comes to evil (and the suffering that accompanies it):
1. Where does God’s role start and end concerning evil?
2. Where does mankind’s responsibility start and stop regarding evil?
3. What role (if any) do Satan and demons play when it comes to evil?
God’s role, responsibility, and response to evil:
- Works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28)
- Gives laws and commandments which define His will by differentiating good from evil (see Romans 12:2,9; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-3; Ephesians 5:17-18)
- Gives authority and dominion to mankind, giving people the responsibility to make decisions according to God’s revealed will (see Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 115:3,16)
- Defines His will and reveals His character through the life of Jesus Christ Himself, who is called “the Word of God.” (see Hebrews 1:1-3)
- Defeated sin (and evil) through Jesus’ death and resurrection (see Romans 6; Galatians 1:4)
- Helps, assists, supernaturally intervenes, works through, and cooperates with mankind by His Holy Spirit when people humbly, honestly, and effectively communicate with Him.
- Like a good Father, he doesn’t incentivize disobedience, unhealthy mindsets, or toxic behavior (sin) by immediately removing our problems when we haven’t yet shown any teachability, honor, maturity, obedience, or positive change (see Galatians 6:7-8).
- Rather, He will sometimes let His children suffer the consequences of their poor choices until (or in hopes that) they will learn from it, overcome, heal, and do better next time by returning to Him and doing things His way according to His power (see Matthew 13:15).
- Will allow His children to undergo oppression, persecution, or obstacles because of our proclivity towards conceit and pride, which would otherwise lead to our destruction and fall from grace. To overcome such “thorns” of hardship and opposition, we must remain humble (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Proverbs 16:18; Galatians 5:4; James 4:6).
Humanity’s role and responsibility concerning evil:
- Every person is tempted when by his own evil desire he is dragged away and enticed (see James 1:13-14).
- Listens to demonic lies and agrees with those lies as if they are true (see John 8:43-47)
- Is ensnared by his own words and thereby may experience calamity (see Proverbs 6:2; 18:7; 20:25; 21:6; 22:5,24-25; etc.)
- Is ensnared through lust (see Proverbs 7:21-23; 11:6; Ecclesiastes 7:26)
- Is imprisoned through bitterness and unforgiveness (see Matthew 6:14-15; 18:32-35; Acts 8:22-23; Hebrews 12:15)
- May suffer spiritual defeat, disappointment, and loss as the result of sin (see 1 Kings 8:33-34; 2 Chronicles 6:24-25)
- A person can be free from evil’s influence to the degree that he or she obeys God by the power of His Holy Spirit in spite of whatever evil opposes him/her (see Romans 8:13).
The devil’s part and role concerning evil:
- Tempts mankind to gratify their carnal desires rather than to glorify God (see 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Luke 4:1-13)
- Deceives mankind through lies (see Genesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9)
- Holds people captive to do his will through wrong ideas and beliefs (see 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
- Ensnares people through fear, conceit, greed, etc. (see Proverbs 29:5; 1 Timothy 3:6-7; 6:9)
- Ensnares people through idolatry (see Exodus 23:33; Deuteronomy 7:16; Judges 2:3; 8:27; Psalm 9:16; 106:36; etc.)
- Tempts and destroys people through pride (see Galatians 6:1; Job 41:1,34)
- Works through accusation and poisons people through bitterness and envy (see Deuteronomy 32:32-33; Romans 3:13-14; Acts 14:2; Revelation 12:9-10)
- Tempts people with sexual immorality (see 1 Corinthians 7:2,5)
- Can exert influence over a person’s thinking and behavior through drugs, alcohol, and occultic activity (see Proverbs 23:31-33)
- May attack, afflict, or hurt whoever breaks healthy boundaries or disobeys God’s commandments (see Ecclesiastes 10:8b; Jeremiah 8:6,17; Amos 5:19)
- Brings sickness, disease, and mental turmoil to mankind via the above methods (see Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13)
For more information outlining what it looks like to get to know God personally, see “Which Fiery Furnace Will You Choose?” or choose another article about “Good News.”
