The Bible describes God as holy (Isaiah 6:3), righteous (Psalm 7:11), just (Deut 32:4), and sovereign (Daniel 4:17-25). These passages tell us two things about the nature of God. (1) God is capable of preventing evil and (2) God desires to rid the universe of evil. So it goes, if these two attributes are true, why does God allow evil?
God designed the world to have consequences. Our actions affect others. Because of Adam’s choice to sin, the world now lives under the curse and we are all born with a sinful nature (Romans5:12). One day God will judge the sin in the world and makes things new. When He created the Old Testament laws, one of His goals was to discourage and punish evil. He judges nations and rulers who disregard justice and pursue evil. Likewise in the New Testament, God states that it is the government’s responsibility to provide justice in order to protect the innocent from evil. (Romans 13). He also promises severe consequences for those who commit evil acts, especia;;y against the innocent (Mark 9:36-48).
We live in a real world where good and evil have consequences. God’s desire is that for all of our sakes we would obey Him that it might be well with us (Deut 5:29). Instead, what happens is that we choose our own way, and then blame God for not doing anything about it. Such is the heart of the sinful man. Thankfully, Jesus came to change men’s hearts through the power of the holy spirit. He does this for those who will turn from evil and call on Him to save them from the sin and its consequences (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God does prevent and restrain some acts of evil. This world would be MUCH WORSE were God not in control. At the same time, God has given us the ability to choose good and evil, and when we choose evil, He allows us, and those around us, to suffer the consequences. Rather than blame God for evil we should focus on the the cure for evil and its consequences – Salvation through Jesus Christ.
