Why does God allow evil?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Theodicy is the defense of God's goodness and justice in the face of the existence of evil. It seeks to explain how an all-powerful, all-good God can allow suffering and evil without contradicting His nature. The truth is, evil exists (Psalm 34:14). It can be categorized as (1) natural evil—like disease and disasters, (2) moral evil—such as sin and wickedness, and (3) supernatural evil—such as the activity of Satan and demons. At the same time, God exists. He is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17), all-good (Nahum 1:7), and sovereign over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11–12), even over calamity and evil (Isaiah 45:7). Yet He remains perfectly just, with no trace of wickedness in Him (Psalm 92:15).

If both evil and an all-powerful, all-good God exist, then the only logical conclusion is that God has ordained the existence of evil without being evil Himself. He allows evil to exist for a greater purpose—His glory. Our unrighteousness highlights His righteousness (Romans 3:5). The greatest evil ever committed—the crucifixion of Jesus—was ordained by God and ultimately revealed the fullness of His glory, justice, and love. In God's sovereign hands, even evil becomes a backdrop against which His holiness shines all the more brilliantly.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• While evil is real, it is temporary and under God’s sovereign rule. In Job 38:12-15 God says that wickedness will one day be destroyed. Evil is temporary. Just as each sunrise pushes back the darkness, every new day testifies that evil’s reign is limited—it will one day be destroyed (see also Psalm 37:17). God allows evil for now, but He has already set its boundaries.
• Psalm 34:14 calls us to actively resist evil by doing good and seeking peace. This implies that evil is not meant to be passively accepted but intentionally overcome—a theme echoed in Romans 12:21. Though evil exists, it has no ultimate power over those who follow God's ways.
• Psalm 92:15 affirms that God is just and upright; He does not delight in evil nor is He the source of it. His justice stands in contrast to the darkness, showing that evil serves as a foil to magnify His righteousness.
• Proverbs 8:13 says those who fear the Lord hate evil. God's people are not indifferent to evil; they despise it as He does. This hatred is not rooted in pride but in reverence for God's holiness.
• "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble" (Proverbs 16:4). God has a purpose for everything. God uses even evil to accomplish His sovereign plan, even if we cannot see the full picture now.
• Isaiah 45:7 boldly declares that God forms light and creates darkness, brings well-being and calamity. God's sovereignty encompasses all things—He is not surprised by evil, nor defeated by it. Instead, He weaves it into His larger purpose without compromising His goodness.
• "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him" (Nahum 1:7). God is good, even in times of trouble. Evil may rage around us, but God remains a stronghold for those who trust in Him. His goodness is not negated by evil's presence; it is revealed even more in how He protects and redeems His people.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In biblical imagery, light often represents good and righteousness, while darkness symbolizes evil and sin (Matthew 6:22-23; John 8:12).
• Our unrighteousness or evil acts demonstrate the righteousness of God (Romans 3:5). Human sin and unbelief do not alter God's faithfulness. Our unrighteousness does not cancel God's righteousness but instead makes God's righteousness more glorious.
• Romans 12:21 commands us to be strong in our conviction regarding evil: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
• "Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Though God allows evil for His purposes, He calls us to actively reject it and choose what is good.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

By definition, evil is not a thing or some kind of being. Rather, evil is always defined as an action that fails to meet a standard of goodness. Evil is the negation, or absence, of good. So the definition of evil depends on a prior understanding of the good. This means, as Augustine noted, that an atheist has a problem twice as difficult as the believer's problem of explaining the presence of evil in the universe. Atheists who complain about the problem of evil also have the problem of defining the existence of the good. Without God there is no ultimate standard for the good.

It is common today for some to resolve this problem by simply denying both evil and good. Such a problem, however, faces enormous difficulties, particularly when one suffers at the hands of someone who inflicts evil upon them. It is easy for us to deny the existence of evil until we ourselves are victims of someone's wicked action.

Believers can respond by turning from evil and doing good. We overcome evil with good . Be encouraged by knowing that evil is temporary, for one day God will destroy wickedness.

UNDERSTAND

• God allows evil to display His glory, justice, and mercy more clearly.
• God is sovereign over evil but remains perfectly good.
• Evil is real but temporary and will be destroyed.

REFLECT

• When you experience suffering or witness evil, how do you remind yourself that God is still sovereign and good?
• How are you tempted to passively accept evil rather than actively resist it with good?
• How does the reality that God can use even evil for His glory shape your trust in Him during difficult times?

ENGAGE

• How can we explain God’s allowance of evil without minimizing God's holiness?
• What do the crucifixion of Jesus and other biblical examples teach us about God's ability to use evil for ultimate good?
• How should our understanding that evil is temporary and under God's control influence the way we respond to injustice and suffering in the world today?