Why do bad things happen? I’ve heard it said, “If there is a God, why does He allow evil in the world?” We want to protect our children, right? Is that how we look at God?

What does the Bible say about evil and the source of evil?

Beginning of evil

Let’s start in the beginning, Genesis 3. There we find two people, a man and a woman, living a perfect life with all their needs met. Not a thorn in the ground, not a weed in the garden.

Then along came the serpent a planted a doubt in Eve’s mind about the goodness of her Creator. Their lives up to that moment had been lived in total dependence on God. He would instruct them in the right ways and daily guide them.

Now a proposition was place before them. Satan told them they could make their own decisions and live their own lives apart from God. They didn’t need Him. They could live independently from God.

Choice to listen to evil

I’m sure it wasn’t an instant choice, but it was a choice. Adam and Eve considered the life of dependence on their Creator, the beautiful, perfect life they had. Then they considered what Satan had to offer. They chose to follow Satan. The rest is history. Now we live with the results.

How did Jesus confront this dilemma? In Luke chapter 4 we see Satan once again tempting someone. This time it was the very Son of God. If we note specifically verses 5-6, we see that Satan is the ruler of this world (given to him by the allegiance of Adam and Eve).

Luke 4:5-6 Then the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “all this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.”

The god of this age

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

In John chapter Jesus explained that He was the Good Shepherd. In verse 10 He compares Himself with out enemy, Satan – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Do you see his purpose? Satan wants to ruin every good thing that God created. Everything. Everyone. Anything and everything that is bad has its origins in Satan.

Jesus offers a way out of his domain. He wants to walk with us while here on earth.

So you can see where evil comes from. We are born into it and until we choose the gift of Life that Jesus offers, we live in darkness.

Words to light your path this week

John tells us in 12:46, (Jesus speaking) “I have come as light into the world that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

Prayer – Kind Father of Heaven, open our eyes to see the source of evil so we can come to You for refuge. Amen