The question of why God allows evil and suffering in the world is one that has perplexed believers and non-believers alike. At some point, we all struggle to make sense of the presence of evil and understand why a loving, all-powerful God permits it. While there may not be a fully satisfying answer to this question on this side of eternity, the Bible provides some insights that can help us process this thorny issue.
God has given humanity free will
One key aspect to understand about evil and suffering is that much of it results from the free will and sinful choices of human beings. God created humanity with the ability to make real choices, rather than being robots who mechanically obey Him at all times. This means people can choose to love, obey and honor God, but also that they can choose to rebel against Him and commit acts of sin and evil (Deuteronomy 30:19). God could have made mankind without free will, but then we would essentially be prisoners or slaves without the ability to enter into a genuine loving relationship with Him. So while free will opens the door for evil and suffering, it also enables us to experience real love, goodness, and personal growth.
Evil and suffering result from the Fall
The Bible teaches that when the first humans, Adam and Eve, chose to rebel against God, sin entered the world and corrupted all of creation (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). We now live in a fallen, broken world which includes disease, natural disasters, death, and dysfunction of all kinds. Were it not for the Fall, none of these effects of evil would exist. So in an indirect sense, humanity is responsible for introducing evil and suffering into the world by rebelling against their Creator.
God uses suffering to refine and redeem
While God does not directly cause all suffering, He is still able to use it to accomplish His purposes in people’s lives. The trials and tribulations believers face can serve to refine their faith, develop their character, and equip them to comfort others who are suffering (Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). Suffering helps strip away false sources of hope and security so that people can turn to Christ. God also promises to redeem suffering, using it to bring about something good in the lives of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). So what may seem senseless and unjust now can be used by God to produce something worthwhile in His grand plan.
Suffering points us to the hope of a restored world
The existence of suffering is a constant reminder that this world is not how it ought to be. It points forward to the promise that one day God will eradicate suffering, injustice, evil and death forever. Christ’s death and resurrection secured the hope of a restored world for those who trust in Him (Revelation 21:1-4). When God judges anddoes away with sin, He will bring about a renewed world characterized by peace, justice and blessing rather than evil. As long as sin remains, suffering remains, but it will not have the final word.
God entered into human suffering
A God who is detached from human suffering may seem uncaring. But we see in Jesus Christ that God was willing to enter into human suffering in the most profound way possible – by becoming human and suffering alongside us (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14-18). Jesus’ life, death and resurrection demonstrate God’s love and concern for those who suffer. Christ endured rejection, torture, loss and a gruesome death in order to accomplish the Father’s plan of redemption (Isaiah 53:3-5). God sees and understands our pain through Christ’s suffering and promises to be present with believers in their trials (Psalm 23:4; 2 Corinthians 1:5).
Suffering prepares us for eternity
For believers, trials and suffering provide preparation for eternity. Difficulties teach us to depend on God rather than ourselves. Suffering weans us off of worldly comforts and priorities so that we long for the perfect world to come (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Enduring hardship also enables us to better value true blessings which come from God’s hand. Believers can have joy even in the midst of trials, knowing that their present afflictions are producing an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison (Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 8:18).
God delays eliminating evil for the sake of salvation
God in His patience is delaying removing all evil and suffering from the world, because He desires for people to repent and come to salvation (2 Peter 3:7-9). He puts up with the injustices and cruelty in the world so that more sinners might be saved before He brings final judgment. God’s heart is not to condemn anyone, but rather that all would believe in His Son and receive eternal life (John 3:16-17; Ezekiel 18:32). So God waits, giving people every chance to turn to Him.
God respects human freedom and dignity
Despite God’s sovereignty and power, He often does not intervene to stop particular cases of suffering out of respect for human freedom and dignity. We regularly hear believers praying for God to end famines, heal illnesses, stop natural disasters, or rescue persecuted Christians. Yet God does not always step in miraculously, perhaps because He created and interacts with a world that has its own natural order, or because He values freedom of choice more than robotic obedience. God is more concerned with people’s eternal well-being than their immediate comfort.
God’s ways are higher than our ways
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God operates on a plane far above our own: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We have limited perspective, while God sees the broad sweep of eternity past and future. This means there are likely reasons for God allowing evil which we simply cannot fully grasp in our current state. We walk by faith, trusting God’s wisdom, love and promises even when we cannot understand all His purposes.
Evil cannot thwart God’s plans
God remains sovereign over the world even amid sin and suffering. Despite the evil intentions of some, God is able to use painful circumstances to accomplish His good purposes (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23-24). The unjust crucifixion of Christ provides the greatest example – what was intended by evildoers for evil, God used to provide salvation to the world. No matter what unjust trials believers face, God always causes them to triumph and works all things together for their good (Romans 8:28-39).
God has set a day to judge evil
The Bible repeatedly affirms that a day is set when Christ will return to judge sin, evil, and unrepentant sinners. Wrongs will be made right. Those who have rejected Christ and perpetuated evil will be condemned, and believers who have suffered will be vindicated and rewarded (Matthew 12:36-37; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:5-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Justice will ultimately prevail. Until then, believers live by faith, waiting eagerly for Christ’s return.
Believers should help relieve suffering
Though God allows evil to exist for a time, followers of Christ are called to combat injustice and help relieve suffering in the world. Believers are expected to pursue righteousness and mercy just as God does (Proverbs 21:3; Micah 6:8; Galatians 6:10). The church has consistently been at the forefront of establishing hospitals, orphanages, relief agencies, counter-trafficking efforts, prison reform and other humanitarian works. Christians walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who had compassion on the hurting and met both physical and spiritual needs (Mark 6:34).
Evil calls believers to lean into God
For believers who are suffering, evil and trials should drive them closer to God. We see in Scripture that righteous men like Job, Jeremiah and David cried out honestly to God in the midst of their pain but also chose to trust in Him (Job 1:20-22; Jeremiah 15:15-18; Psalm 13:1-6). Though perplexed, they clung to the hope that God was still good and loving. Suffering refines believers’ faith and makes them fix their hope more firmly on Christ and the world to come. We can boldly approach God’s throne of grace in our afflictions (Hebrews 4:16).
Believers should pray against evil
The Bible instructs believers to make prayers, intercessions and supplications against evil of all kinds (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-3). We should pray for relief from suffering, for the prospering of the righteous, and for the repentance and defeat of evildoers – even if complete victory over evil awaits Christ’s return. Through prayer, believers actively participate in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness at work in the world. Faithful prayers can aid the advance of the gospel and restrain evil (James 5:16-18).
Christ has overcome the world
While evil runs rampant in the world, Christ assured believers that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). No matter how strong the forces of evil and darkness seem, they have already been defeated at the cross. Believers have nothing to fear, for even death has lost its sting for those who trust in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). His resurrection proves that sin and evil will not have the final say. The hope of eternal life empowers believers to endure temporary, light afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Romans 8:18).
God will reward the righteous
Those who have suffered unjustly in this life can take courage knowing that God sees their plight. He will reward those who have endured patiently when His kingdom comes in fullness (Matthew 5:11-12; Luke 6:35; Revelation 22:12). No affliction endured for Christ will fail to receive its just recompense. Believers who suffer loss in this world will receive eternal blessings, so they can rejoice amid trials (Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 8:18).
Conclusion
The question of why God allows evil cannot be answered simply. The Bible indicates that God hates evil, never causes it, and promises to vanquish it. Yet in His sovereignty, He allows evil to exist for a time while working out His perfect plans to redeem and restore the world in Christ. Believers must trust in God’s goodness and wisdom while awaiting the end of evil. They can take heart knowing that God promises to work all things together for their good. His purposes stand, and one day every knee will bow to acknowledge His triumph over sin and evil once and for all.
