With so much evil in the world, how can I believe in the goodness of God?

Quick answer

Even amid a world full of evil and suffering, God’s goodness is evident in His creation, provision, and promises of redemption. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, evil has been defeated, and as we await the fullness of that victory, we can trust in His presence and find hope in His guidance through our struggles.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Even with so much evil in the world, God’s goodness remains evident. From the beginning, He created a perfect world and gave humanity clear guidance, but sin and disobedience brought evil into human experience (Genesis 2–3). God’s goodness is revealed in His provision, care, and covenant love for His people (Psalm 145:9; Exodus 34:6). Though Satan now influences the world, seeking to deceive and destroy, God sent Jesus to redeem humanity and conquer the works of evil (John 10:10; 1 John 3:8). Through Christ, we experience God’s goodness in His compassion, provision, and promises of redemption and restoration (Romans 8:28; Revelation 21:4). While we still face suffering and evil exists, God walks with us, offering comfort, hope, and the assurance of ultimate justice (Psalm 34:18; Romans 16:20). God’s plan demonstrates that His goodness is unshaken, and His love will ultimately triumph over all evil (1 John 4:7–8; Revelation 21:5).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

To address God's good nature in the midst of so much pain and evil in the world, we must understand where evil came from and how it exists. God is not the author of evil. Adam and Eve thrived in the garden—a beautiful, safe place—where they enjoyed unity and communion with God (Genesis 2:8–9, 15). God warned them of the evil that would disrupt their world if they disobeyed Him (Genesis 2:16–17). From the beginning, God had the knowledge of evil and sought to protect His perfect creatures from its destructive nature. However, because God gave them a free will to make choices, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's protective command and allowed evil to enter into our human experience (Genesis 3:6–7).

After they sinned, Adam and Eve hid from God in shame and fear (Genesis 3:8–10). The results of their disobedience were stark, but God showed His goodness by making a temporary covering for their sin (Genesis 3:21) and promising a future Messiah who would redeem mankind (Genesis 3:15). He also removed them from the garden so they would not live forever in their fallen state (Genesis 3:22–24). As a result of sin entering the world, evil is now part of our reality.

God’s goodness is revealed in creation and His care for all He has made (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 145:9).

God’s covenant love and steadfast faithfulness show His goodness to His people (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 100:5).

God’s goodness is a refuge and strength for those who trust Him (Nahum 1:7; Psalm 34:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

We might be tempted to blame Adam and Eve for evil, but we all carry it with us because we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Unfortunately, suffering and pain are now a part of our life here on earth.

Along with humanity's sinfulness, Satan causes much of the evil in our world. The Bible says that, "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is the king of deception and desires us to believe the lie that God does not care about our suffering (John 8:44).

When humanity decided to listen to Satan rather than God, Satan became "ruler of this world" (John 12:31). This means that Satan has a degree of authority on earth, and Satan's objective is to cause suffering, death, and separation from God. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

Jesus is God's redeeming answer to Adam and Eve's disobedience. Mankind inherited sin and pain as descendants of Adam and Eve, but when we put our faith in Him, we inherit life and peace as a spiritual gift from Christ. And indeed it is a powerful gift. The Son of God appeared to destroy the work of the Devil (1 John 3:8).

Jesus' message is an exact binary to the message of the Devil (John 10:10). The life and message of Christ is so important to our process of understanding that God is good in the midst of all the evil in our world.

God’s goodness is most clearly revealed in the gift of Jesus Christ, sent to save sinners (John 3:16; Titus 3:4–5).

Jesus demonstrated God’s goodness through His compassion, healings, and sacrifice (Acts 10:38; Romans 5:8).

Believers experience God’s goodness through His provision, guidance, and promises (Romans 8:28; James 1:17). God promises to be with us in the midst of difficulty (Matthew 28:20) and to one day redeem and restore all that sin has destroyed (Revelation 21:4; Colossians 1:20).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Yes, it is true that there is so much evil in the world, but that is not because God is lacking in goodness. The truth is that God cares deeply for us in our pain. He is good and just and desires that we be reconciled to Him (2 Peter 3:9). We know that God is love (1 John 4:7–8), that God comforts the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), that God desires justice for evil (Psalm 89:14), and that God will someday avenge the evil in the world with His perfect judgment (Revelation 20:13; 21:5). We can rejoice that God has a plan for the evil that destroys our world through death, sickness, and pain. The first step in God's plan to save us from evil was sending His Son to conquer sin and death.

Through Christ, God shows us that He wants to redeem us from the pain we experience (Ephesians 1:7). Although we still experience evil, our burdens are lighter knowing that God desires to walk alongside us and draw us closer to Him in our struggles (Matthew 11:30). God not only gifted us with hope and redemption from the evil that lives in our own hearts, but He also promised to bring peace when He returns and destroys evil (Romans 16:20). The suffering and trials that come with evil in the world should be expected. The apostle Peter tells us that we should not be surprised by the evil that we encounter in mankind (1 Peter 4:12). He also tells us to rejoice because we have the hope that we can entrust our suffering to God (1 Peter 4:13–14). Because we belong to a God who cares about our pain, we can rejoice that He will return and bring peace to earth (1 Peter 4:17).

UNDERSTAND

God’s goodness is evident through His creation, care, and promises of redemption.

Evil exists because of human sin and Satan’s influence, but Jesus came to redeem and restore humanity.

Believers can trust God’s goodness as we await His full victory over sin and death.

REFLECT

How have you personally experienced God’s goodness in the midst of difficulty or suffering?

How do you struggle to trust God when evil or pain surrounds you, and how can you lean on His promises and presence to find hope and strength?

How does knowing that Jesus has conquered evil influence your perspective on the evil you see and experience in the world?

ENGAGE

Where do we see God’s goodness even when the world is full of evil and suffering?

How does understanding the role of sin and Satan help us understand the reality of evil without doubting God’s character?

How can we as believers reflect God’s goodness to others who are struggling with the reality of evil in their lives?