Why Does God allow Evil and Suffering?

 

Often when we are discussing our faith with others, they ask questions which we may not be able to answer. The Scripture says that we should be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is inside of us. If we simply shrug and say we don't know, it may not give the best impression to people who are seeking for truth. So, I hope to offer some answers to the following questions that may come up in your discussions with others. 

• Where did God come from? 
• If God knew satan would rebel, why did He create him?  Why was satan allowed to rebel? 
• Where did evil and rebellion come from to begin with? 
• Why is satan allowed to rule this world? If God is so powerful why doesn’t he defeat satan?
• If God is good, why does he allow so much evil and suffering? 

 

I'm not a theologian nor a Biblical scholar, but I've read and studied the Scriptures for years and listened to countless sermons. Often, in my discussions with unbelievers, some of these questions have been raised, and it prompted me to search for the answers. To start off with, there are some things we simply can't know because our human minds are too small and finite. For instance, 

1. Where did God come from and how did He come into being? 

The Bible does not answer this except to say God has always been. He is eternal. Our small, finite minds cannot comprehend Him at all. It would be like asking a snail to explain Quantum physics. Not happening. However, you can counter this question with one about the Big Bang. The Big Bang is the common theory of the origin of the universe, but in order to have a "Bang" or an explosion, there had to be certain chemicals present and something that ignited them. So, where did those chemicals come from? Who created them? 

2. If God knew Satan would rebel, why did He create him? And why did He allow him to rebel?

The answer to this question will actually answer the rest of the questions. However, it cannot be answered with a simple sentence or two. It has to do with God's eternal purpose and plan and the free will He grants His creation. Yes, God surely knew that Satan would rebel against Him and that he would cause many humans to do the same. God created him and allowed it because He is using Satan as part of His eternal plan and purpose. What is that eternal plan and purpose?

God wants a family. He wants a Bride for His Son and tons and tons of children. The Scripture says that God is the Father of all families in heaven and on earth. He put the desire for a family within each human. Most of us, if our hearts have not been corrupted, yearn to have a family of loved ones we can enjoy life with. That's why we get married and have children. God is just like us. In fact, He created us with that same desire within us. 

But then how does Satan fit into this plan? Seems like God would get more children if Satan weren't around. True. But now we are getting into the issue of free will. God does not want robot children or puppet children anymore than you do. None of us would want to stay with a spouse or care for children who only are with us because they are being forced to be with us. We want our spouse and children to be with us because they choose to be with us because they love us. 

God is the same way! That's why He gave each angel and each human FREE WILL. We can choose Him or we can reject Him. But in order for that to work, God had to give humans another choice. If He was the only choice, then we are back to being puppets. So God allowed Satan to rebel, in order to offer mankind another choice. Because, let's face it, in this life, there are only two choices of who to follow. God or Satan. 

So Satan disguises himself and deceives mankind, offering them fun, sex, money, power, and even eternal life. He tells them God is a bully and if you follow Him, you have to follow a bunch of rules and you'll be miserable. All lies, of course. But now, mankind has a choice. Who do they believe? Who will they follow?  

This, I believe from Scripture, is why God created Satan and allowed him to rebel.

3. Where does Evil and Rebellion come from to begin with? Why did God even create evil?

Evil is the antithesis of Good. Darkness is the antithesis of light. You can't have good without evil or light without dark because you have to have some measure, some qualifier to call something good or light. You need the opposite. So, simply by being who He is, which is light and good and holy, evil comes into being. God didn't purposely create evil or rebellion. It simply exists as a measure of how Holy He is. However, He gave His creation the ability to choose it if they wanted. Satan did, and he convinced one-third of the angels to rebel against Almighty God, and thus, evil entered the world. Then, like the snake that he is, he tempted mankind, made in the image of God (so we could be His children) and, unfortunately mankind made the wrong choice. Since then, God gives EACH child, each human, the choice to follow Him or follow Satan. 

4. Why is satan allowed to rule this world? If God is so powerful why doesn’t he defeat satan?

 

See answer for Question 2

5. If God is good, why does he allow so much evil and suffering?

The Bible tells us that Satan is the ruler of our world. He is the Prince of the power of the air. He offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, past, present, and future, if only Jesus would bow to him. This shows us that Satan is in charge of this world. So what do we expect from a world run by the most powerful and evil fallen angel? We would expect exactly what we are seeing. Could God stop him and wipe him out? Absolutely! With just one breath! Why doesn't He? See Answer for question 2 above. 

God has a plan, a purpose, and He is collecting His children from among mankind, all those who choose Him, who love Him, who are willing to sacrifice for Him. God is allowing 6000 years of human history, calling out of His love to every person born during that time, luring them to come to Him and be saved. How can we ever question God's love when He sent His only Son, Jesus, to become one of us, to walk this earth for 33 years, teaching us about God, the Father, and then to become a human sacrifice that would pay for every sin that every human ever committed. All we have to do is choose Jesus, believe in Him, follow Him, and grow to love Him. We reject the world and Satan and keep our eyes on Jesus. Then our sins are forgiven so that when we die, we can enter heaven and God's presence. We could never be with God in our sinful condition because God is Holy and we would burn up in His presence. But Jesus paid the price, removed the curse of sin that Satan brought on the world!  

But rest assured God will defeat evil one day. One day, the Bible tells us, the devil and his angels and followers will be cast into the lake of fire and all evil and death will be abolished. Until then, God is creating a family for Himself to be with Him forever!

I hope and pray that if you're reading this, you are in that family and one of God's children. If not, it's not too late!  Jesus loves you and died for you!!  Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Choose Jesus and life!  If you want to be saved and join the family of God, click HERE.  I'm happy to answer any more of your questions as well. Just email me or leave a comment. 

Make the decision quickly. There isn't much time left.