Evil

evil - If God is good, why does he let people do evil things?

The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2:15-17

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. . . . For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 3:22-23

If you love me, obey my commandments.

John 14:15

GENUINE LOVE requires the freedom to choose. From the beginning, God desired a loving relationship with us, so he gave us freedom. But with the ability to make choices comes the possibility of choosing our own way over God’s way. Our way always leads to sin, because every person since Adam and Eve has been born with a sinful nature. This breaks God’s heart, but he did not want to force us to love him. And there is no genuine love without choice. Even though evil is a reality, we must remember it is also temporary. Eventually, God will destroy Satan, and good will prevail. Until that day, you can fight evil in your own heart by striving to know and love God and to follow his ways.

Prayer Prompts

Lord, even though there is evil in the world, I see your goodness by . . .

Your Word says this about staying close to you and keeping away from evil: . . .