Why is there so much evil in America today? How did we get here? Some are asking. Admittedly one is sick and tired of reading or hearing media reports about evil acts that are committed on the streets, in homes, in schools, at workplaces, and elsewhere. Therefore, one may feel justified in asking, how can this be, or when is it going to stop, or why is this happening? or, if God exists, why is there evil? God allows things to happen in accordance with His will, purpose, and perfect plan. God is not the author of evil but of good. The Bible says, “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all depths” (Psalm 135:6).
Evil is something that is profoundly wicked, immoral, harmful, or undesirable. Evil hurts or scares everyone – either directly or indirectly. It is like a cancer in our society that has metastasized over time. Evil is no respecter of persons. It has its grip even on children. Evil accounts for the racism, bigotry, hatred, prejudice, intolerance, hostility, and violence that we experience in America today. Evil is mankind’s problem because of the choices we make. Remember, God created man with a free will of his own.
One of the most hateful and shocking evil onslaughts on America took place on 9/11, leaving us stunned, angry, grief-stricken, and in disbelief. Perhaps many questioned God for this. Some have asked, “How could a loving, caring, merciful, and gracious God allow this wicked and evil act to occur?” From a human standpoint however, one may argue “it is only human“ to act in this way. There is absolutely no doubt that God could have prevented 9/11 from happening, simply because He is the all-wise, all-powerful all-knowing God who can do anything. However, He did not prevent it.
Let’s not blame or charge God foolishly for man’s sinful, evil acts in the world. Here is God’s message to mankind, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). God created man “in God’s own image” (Genesis 1:27), and placed him in a sinless environment with the freedom of choice. Through disobedience, man made the wrong choice. The Bible declares, “As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).
Man has the God-given ability to choose what he wants to do, when, and how. Because of his sinful nature, man has, and will always choose to commit sinful acts which result in pain, suffering, destruction, and death. However, God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). So then man can also exercise his freedom of choice and choose salvation by repenting of his sin and trusting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord of his life. God says, “I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil, in that I command you this day to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments and His statutes” (Deuteronomy 3-:15-16). This is the crucial choice before all mankind today.
Consider Job of whom the Bible says “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). Yet, Job suffered greatly in his lifetime – much more than many of us will ever experience. Adding to his pain, his wife said to him “Do you still maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job’s response, “You speak as one of the foolish women. Shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:9-10). Because we live in a sinful evil world, christians will experience the effects of man’s sinful acts. An unknown author wrote, “We cannot Lord, Thy purpose see, But all is well that’s done by Thee.”
So then, it is very clear from scripture that God allows types of evil to take place. No one has any right to question God who is sovereign and owes no one an explanation for what He does or allows to happen. Although Job suffered so much, the Bible records that “Job did not sin or charge God foolishly” (Job 1:22). Let us allow God to work according to His will and purpose.