Why is there so much evil in the World?
The Bible teaches us that both natural evil, (like cancer and other diseases, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.) and moral evil (like murder, theft, abuse, racism, etc.) are natural consequences of humanity’s willful disassociation from God. We are created beings dependent for life and goodness on the Creator.
We can never outgrow our need and dependency on God. Only God is self-generating and life-engendering being. Consequently, when the first humans made the fateful choice to turn away from God, that life-sustaining link was broken. Without that vital link to God, nature malfunctions and humanity fails morally.
But God has not abandoned us. In the model prayer He gave us, Jesus teaches us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13 (KJV). God invites us to seek His help in deliverance from all kinds of evil, natural, moral, and supernatural.
A prominent part of Jesus’ ministry was healing people from all kinds of diseases, as well as demonstrating His power over nature by calming hurricane strength winds and waves that threatened His disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.
In addition to showing His power to roll back the natural evil, Jesus confronted the sources of moral evil in humankind. He called judgmental people to task – “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? “ Matthew 7:3 (NIV). Jesus demonstrated His power to roll back the supernatural evil by braking the demonic power over people.
To top it all, He also demonstrated His power to roll back death and re-claim its victims. All of this was a demonstration of God’s grace to show us His willingness and commitment to roll back the effects of evil in human life. He assures us that the rampage of evil is temporary.
The time is coming when God will triumph over evil and, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NIV).
In the meantime, we are encouraged to turn to God and allow the life of His Son Jesus to flow through us to overcome evil wherever we encounter it. It is necessary for every human being to undergo a radical transformation. Jesus called it the “Birth from Above.” John 3:3.
Christians are instructed – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NIV). Whether by investing in research for cancer medicine, or social reform, praying and working for World peace, God expects all of us to practice His kind of “good” that has the power to overcome evil in our lives, our communities, and on the World stage.
Pastor Sam Grozdanov