Question 1

Why does evil exist?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:22The 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. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” . . . The Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil.”Evil exists in the world because the man and the woman disobeyed God. When they disobeyed, humanity’s relationship with God was broken; we were separated from God. Sin and death began to invade human relationships and actions, and all creation feels the consequences.

Question 2

What is the source of evil?

Accepted Answer

Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.Romans 7:18-23I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.Since Adam and Eve sinned (see Genesis 3:1-19), humanity has been infected and born with a sinful nature. We are born with a spiritual disease that causes us to sin—the desire to go our own way instead of God’s way. The proof of this is that no one has ever lived a perfect life (except Jesus, God’s Son). So while we can work to sin less, and to keep sin from controlling us, we can never—on this side of the Kingdom of God—eliminate sin altogether.Jeremiah 17:9-10“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”Our own hearts, polluted by sin and selfishness, can tempt us into evil thoughts and actions.Ephesians 6:12We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.Cosmic forces of evil, led by Satan, are engaged in a deadly rebellion against God and against us personally if we claim allegiance to God.

Question 3

If God is good and all-powerful, why does he let people do evil?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 2:15-17The 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. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”Genuine love requires the freedom to choose. From the beginning, God desired a loving relationship with us, so he gave us this freedom. But with the ability to make choices comes the possibility of choosing our own ways over God’s way. Our own ways inevitably lead to sin because every person is born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23). This breaks God’s heart, but the alternative for God was to make non-thinking, non-choosing robots, not humans. And what kind of a relationship can someone hope to have with a robot? Evil still exists and people continue to do what is evil, but as believers we can choose to do right. And when we do so, God rejoices, good prevails, and Satan loses ground in our lives.

Question 4

Why do people often seem to get away with evil?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 32:7-8The smooth tricks of scoundrels are evil. They plot crooked schemes. They lie to convict the poor, even when the cause of the poor is just. But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.Sometimes evil people seem to be able to do anything they want and not only get away with it but flourish. God has promised, however, that in his time everyone will be judged, evil will be exposed, and the righteous will prevail. If righteousness always prevailed on earth, then people wouldn’t be following God for the right reasons; they would follow him only to have easy lives. God doesn’t promise the absence of evil on this earth. In fact, he warns that evil will be pervasive and powerful. But God promises to help us stand against evil; and if we do, we will receive our reward of eternal life with him in heaven, where evil will be no more.Psalm 73:3, 10-11I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. . . . And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”Jeremiah 12:1-2Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts.Many, even the biblical authors, have struggled with the fact that not only does evil often go unpunished on this earth but evildoers actually seem to get ahead!Psalm 73:17-20I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.Everyone will someday stand before God’s judgment seat. The present prosperity of evildoers is only temporary.

Question 5

How can I confront and combat evil?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 6:16Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.1 John 4:4The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.1 John 5:4Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.Our first line of defense against evil is to draw strength from the fact that God is more powerful than our problems and our enemies. Our faith in God is like a shield that protects us from the temptations and criticisms hurled at us every day. Without strong faith, the weapons of Satan and the arrows shot at us by our enemies would pierce and defeat us. When life feels overwhelming, we can hold tightly to our faith like a shield so we can withstand the dangers and discouragements Satan sends our way. Rejoice! Faith assures us that God has already won the victory.Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.We can combat evil by resolving to hate everything that is sinful and evil. Instead, we should hunger for what is good.1 Corinthians 10:12-13If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.James 4:7Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.We can combat evil by resisting temptation. God’s Word makes clear that sin always hurts us because it separates us from God, who is our source of mercy and blessing, and puts us in the clutches of the Enemy. Giving in to temptation puts us right in the middle of the road where evil hurtles toward us at high speed. The consequences of sin will cause great distress in our lives. The next time we find ourselves moving toward something we know is wrong, we need to get off the road of temptation before sin’s consequences run us over. God has promised to give us the strength to resist temptation.Romans 13:14Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.We can combat evil by surrendering ourselves to Christ’s control. We should make sure not to put ourselves in situations where we know our resolve for righteousness will be tested. The closer we walk with Christ, the harder to be caught in the snare of evil.Ephesians 6:10-18A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.Our own strength is insufficient to combat evil. With the armor God offers us, however, we can find the strength and protection to win the battle. We should take the time to put it on and learn to wear it well.Matthew 5:44“I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! “Romans 12:21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!We can combat evil with goodness. This is easier said than done, but ultimately, goodness is the weapon that softens the hardest hearts to God’s grace.Matthew 4:5-7The devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”James 4:7Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.The devil has less power than we think. The devil can tempt us, but he cannot coerce us. We can resist the devil as Jesus did by responding to the lies of temptation with the truth of God’s Word.1 John 4:4You belong to God. . . . You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.We can combat evil by remembering that the Holy Spirit is strong enough to overcome any threat Satan brings against us.John 8:32“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 16:13“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”Ephesians 6:14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth.When we believe the truth of God’s Word and live it out, we will have the upper hand in any battle against evil. The Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit are resources that can overpower our enemy. We must stand strong and confident in our faith, relying on God’s help. We can be confident that he will give us the discernment and protection we need.

Question 6

Where do I find protection from the threat of evil?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 121:1-2I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!Ephesians 6:10-18A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.2 Timothy 4:18Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.Ephesians 6:10-18 is perhaps the Bible’s most comprehensive teaching about the resources we have in overcoming evil. Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts; therefore, we should not attack the people manipulated by evil but focus directly on the evil itself. We should rely on truth, faith, the power of our testimonies, the wisdom of God’s Word, and the power of prayer. When these are mobilized, evil can be held in check.Jude 1:24-25Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.Ultimately, God’s hold on us, not our hold on him, ensures our preservation from evil. That is why we should praise and worship him!

Question 7

Why does evil often seem to be winning?

Accepted Answer

John 16:33Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Troubles on earth shouldn’t come as a surprise. Jesus suffered much on earth, and he warns his followers that we will experience many of those same sufferings. But just as Jesus conquered death in his resurrection, so he will conquer all evil in the final victory.Revelation 20:10The devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.Revelation 21:4“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”When Jesus returns to usher in his eternal Kingdom fully, he will eradicate evil forever. No matter how bleak things may seem now, if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are on the winning side!

Question 8

Why is flirting with evil so appealing?

Accepted Answer

Romans 7:16-17If I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.Paul recognized that sin entices us to do what is evil even when we are pursuing what is right. We must recognize that sin can appear appealing—even beautiful and intoxicating. If it wasn’t, no one would want to sin. That’s why resisting sin is difficult. But we must also recognize that sin leads to death, tearing us down rather than building us up. It is deceptive and dangerous.

Question 9

What authority do I have when confronting evil?

Accepted Answer

Romans 8:15-17You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.One of the tricks of evil is to blind us to our identity as children of God. Through faith in Christ, we are children of the King of the universe. Like a crown prince or princess, we can stand with authority against any threat on the kingdom.Matthew 10:1Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.Matthew 28:18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”Our authority in Christ Jesus not only helps us defend ourselves against temptation and evil, it gives us the power to take the offensive and overcome evil with good.