God vs. Evil

There have been so many horrible things happening around the world in the past month. We were talking about it in class, and one girl said something that ignited a spark in my mind and I think this spark needs to be helped along. She said that so many people, after horrible events, ask things like, "Why did God cause this to happen?" "How does God allow this evil to infiltrate our world?" "Maybe God is trying to punish us." These are all questions we ask sometimes. But let me get right to the point. Evil does not come from God. There is no evil in God, He cannot be evil, therefore He does not create evil. The thing I think many people get wrong, and even believers get it wrong, is that we sometimes think God is trying to get a message across or trying to make our lives miserable. That is a wrong view of God. Let's look at some Scripture to help get this across...

"For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence.You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest."

-Psalm 5:4-6

 

So, this verse is quite clear. God hates evil. God hates those who are evil. Can God hate? Yes. But it's not the kind of hate we think about. We can say we 'hate' broccoli. We can say we 'hate' the popular kids. We can say we 'hate' homework. But the kind of hate here is a righteous hate. God has righteous wrath. He hates those who are evil. But it's not a childish, petty, revengeful kind of hate. It is a righteous hate because evildoers are in blatant disobedience to God's law. Those who disobey God's law and do not repent or are not saved evoke God's righteous wrath. There is a huge difference between the kind of hate we feel and encounter every day from other humans. It is a much bigger wrath, with a much bigger purpose.

 

 

 

 

 



"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

-James 1:13-15

 

Alright, so God does not tempt us. Many times, we bring on our own destruction. This verse is quite clear about the dangerous domino effect that can happen. You know, I read this quote once, and it has stuck with me...

"Watch your thoughts for they become words.

Watch your words for they become actions.

Watch your actions for they become habits.

Watch your habits for they become your character.

Watch your character for it becomes your destiny."

 

I've always loved that quote because it is such a reminder how we, as humans, lead to our own destruction. The question of "how can God cause something like this to happen" really  has no standing. He didn't cause it at all. We ourselves caused it. The two bombers at the Boston Marathon created that horrible situation. They are not of God and that event was not from God. He is not tempted by evil, He is not tempted by revenge. The devil really works hard to get us to turn away from Christ by making us believe God is creating all this evil in the world. He isn't. We are.



 

 

"'So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust...His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide...'"

-Job 34:10-22

 

So, obviously, this is Job talking. We all know the story of Job. We know how he was tested and how he had every reason to blame God for what was happening to him. This is such a cool verse because Job knows that evil does not come from God. It seems like he is trying to talk some sense into us. God is in charge of this entire earth, yet He does not "pervert justice". He gives us life. He knows every occurrence in this world. He knows where evil tries to hide. He knows where evil is. Even in James 2:19 it says that evil shudders in the presence of the one and only God. Now that is power, but in all that power, He only uses it for good. The wrath the Bible talks about is righteous wrath. God does not create evil on this earth. He has our best interest in mind. But evil is not from God. He wants to show us how to turn to Him and He always wants the best for His believers. We as humans distort the truth and act like God is out to get us or out to teach us a lesson. Bottom line. There is no evil in God and evil will never come from God.  I don't have all the answers to this topic, and I never will. But I know God does not create the evil that happens in this world.