Why Does God Allow Evil

 

Why does God allow [fill in the blank]

I am somewhat amazed and slightly amused at this question; but mostly I am perplexed that, on the one hand, people think God should allow us to live as we please, but on the other hand, he should keep other people from doing what they please.

 You see... here's the deal... if God were to disallow us complete freedom of choice, then we would simply be his puppets... and I know darn good and well that people would cry "Foul!" and say that it isn't right or fair. So God gives us complete freedom of choice and what happens? People cry "Foul!" and say it isn't right or fair. Do you understand why people think this way?

 Mainly it is because nobody wants to be held accountable (i.e.: responsible) for what they did or failed to do (for doing wrong and/or failing to do what is right and good). Yet these same people want to hold other people responsible for their actions. When they don't know who to blame, they blame God for allowing people to make wrong (bad, improper, immoral) decisions. They blame God for allowing evil in the world. Go figure!

 It is natural that we should desire to live in a "perfect world," for we are created in the image of our Creator. God wants us to live with him in His perfect world (kingdom) and everyone has that opportunity.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” --Isaiah 1:18-20 ESV

 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. --2 Peter 3:9

 Let me ask you, are you one of those who wonder why God allows bad things to happen to good people? Do you think it is wrong that bad things should happen at all? If so, then what are YOU doing about it? Are you simply sitting back, wringing your hands and saying, "This should not be!" or are you proactively seeking ways that YOU can make the world a better, more perfect place to live?

 Do you understand WHY the world is full of evil? Have you looked in the mirror recently? Do you lie, cheat, steal, curse, etc.? Do you rationalize, minimize, and justify your actions? Do you console yourself by thinking that at least you are not as bad as some other people? Do you realize that as long as you are self-centered instead of God-centered that YOU are practicing evil? Do you know where that evil comes from?

 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? --Jeremiah 17:9

 

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” --Mark 7:21-23

 

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. --Luke 6:45

But take heart! All is not lost! The heart can be healed and we can live in a perfect world. But in order to do so, we must seek God and His desire (will) for us. Then we must seek to live according to His will instead of our own (God-centered instead of self-centered). And what is His will for us? To LOVE HIM above all else and to love others as much as we love ourselves. (See Mark 12:28-34 and Matthew 10:37-39).

Many people would prefer to find fault with God rather than take a look at their own life and their own heart. They fear being held accountable for their actions and/or inactions, so they try and hold God accountable for all that they see wrong in the world. It is not the heart of God that is the source of life's troubles; it is the heart of man. Mankind could (and should) be taking proactive and preemptive action to alleviate the injustices man perpetrates on man. But it is much easier to sit back and blame God for everything under the sun that doesn't accord with how and what we think God should and should not be involved in.

 

Isaiah 45:9 (NLT)

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’

 

Romans 9:20 (NLT)

No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”