Way too often, we hear of another tragic school shooting, deadly accident, or heinous act of abuse. And people always ask, “If God could prevent such a horrible event, why didn’t He?” The question always implies that if God is all-good and all-powerful, He would choose to destroy all evil. Why, then, does evil exist?
Many suppose that the existence of evil disproves God’s existence. But the human ability to recognize evil is actually a good reason to believe in a Creator. If there was no God, there would be no objective, universal standard by which to measure good and evil. Since, however, all humans agree that the two are distinct, there must be an independent, eternal standard by which we ground moral convictions. That standard is God.
Nonetheless, some philosophers claim that the existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of the all-good, all-powerful God described in Scripture. If God exists, the theory goes, evil cannot. If evil exists, God cannot. God and evil are logically contradictory and thus cannot coexist. But few philosophers think that this argument is successful.
After all, it is logically possible that God, though all-powerful and all-knowing, has a good reason for allowing evil to exist. For instance, evil’s presence ensures the preservation of human free will. If we have genuine freedom, then we have the possibility of choosing to do evil rather than good. God is certainly powerful enough to prevent us from doing evil, but He would be taking away our free will by doing so. He cannot force us to always choose good, because being made to choose good would mean that we are not free.
There are other reasons God could allow evil to occur. For instance, coping with the effects of evil in the world often contributes to the development of virtues such as empathy, patience, and trust in Jesus as Savior. Without the ability to choose and exercise free will or the opportunity to develop virtue, our lives would be shallow and without love; we could not truly love one another or love God. We would essentially be robots lacking the ability to have a relationship with God, and a loving relationship with us is the very thing God desires.
Though it is reasonable for God and evil to coexist, some say the presence of so much evil makes it difficult to believe in God. However, this is a subjective judgment. How much evil is too much? Who but God can say?
We do know, from a story like that of Joseph, that evil can be used for good in God’s hands. Joseph said to his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).
We are all troubled by evil, but God has dealt evil a fatal blow through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen!
You are amazing. I pray that God use’s you in a mighty way to reach souls. You are an inspiration to me in ways I wish I could put into words. Keep in keep on Sister. This Sister loves you and praying for you.
To God be the glory! ✝️🙌 I appreciate you so much, sweet sister-friend. I love you, too! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Jesus is my life, my reason for living! His purposes are my purposes…His will, my will. I long to shine His glorious light! ✨ ✝️✨🙏🏻❤️