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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

Suffering is a reality that affects us all. Some people suffer due to circumstances beyond their control, such as natural disasters or illness, while others suffer due to their own choices and actions. But are we to blame for our own suffering? Biblically speaking, the answer is not always straightforward.

The Role of Free Will

One of the most significant teachings of the Bible is the concept of free will. According to the Bible, God created humans with the ability to choose their own path in life. This freedom to choose means that we are responsible for the consequences of our actions.

Consider the example of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God gave them the freedom to choose whether or not to obey his command not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When they chose to disobey, they suffered the consequences of their action, including shame, guilt, and ultimately, death. Similarly, throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who made choices that led to their suffering, such as King David, who suffered the consequences of his adultery and murder.

In this sense, we can say that we are sometimes to blame for our own suffering, as our choices and actions can have negative consequences. However, it is essential to note that not all suffering is a result of our choices.

The Role of Others

The actions of others can also cause us to suffer. For example, we may experience suffering due to the actions of a family member, friend, or stranger. In these cases, we are not to blame for our suffering, but we are responsible for how we respond to it.

The Bible teaches us to love and forgive others, even those who have wronged us. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” By doing so, we can avoid perpetuating the cycle of suffering and instead bring healing and restoration.

The Role of Spiritual Warfare

Another factor that can contribute to our suffering is spiritual warfare. According to the Bible, we are engaged in a spiritual battle between good and evil, and the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). This spiritual warfare can manifest itself in physical and emotional suffering.

WHY GOD? The Problem of Evil and Suffering?

In the book of Job, we see an example of spiritual warfare at play. Job was a righteous man who suffered greatly, not due to his own actions, but because Satan had challenged God that Job would curse him if he suffered. Despite his suffering, Job remained faithful to God, and in the end, God restored his fortunes.

While we may not always understand the reasons for our suffering, the Bible teaches us to stand firm in our faith and trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty.

The Role of God’s Plan

Finally, the Bible teaches us that suffering can serve a purpose in God’s plan. In Romans 8:28, it says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This means that even in our suffering, God can use it for good, to refine our character and bring us closer to him.

Foreknowledge and Free Will: Exploring a Bible Difficulty

Consider the example of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph suffered greatly, being sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. However, through his suffering, God used Joseph to save his family from a famine and ultimately bring about his plan of salvation for all people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, biblically speaking, the question of whether we are to blame for our own suffering is not always straightforward. While our choices and actions can sometimes lead to negative consequences, other factors such as the actions of others, spiritual warfare, and God’s plan can also play a role in our suffering. The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world where sin and imperfection are present, and this can lead to suffering. In addition, we have an adversary, Satan, who seeks to harm us and cause suffering. The apostle Peter warns us to be alert and resist him, standing firm in our faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Furthermore, God’s plan for our lives can also involve suffering. In the book of Job, we see that God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith through severe suffering, but in the end, Job was blessed even more than before (Job 42:10-17). Similarly, the apostle Paul writes about a “thorn in his flesh” that caused him great suffering, but he recognized that it was allowed by God for a greater purpose (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

In summary, the Bible teaches that humans bear a heavy responsibility for much of the suffering in the world, but it is not always within our control. While our choices and actions can sometimes lead to negative consequences, there are other factors such as the actions of others, spiritual warfare, and God’s plan that can also contribute to suffering. However, the Bible also offers principles that can help reduce suffering, such as promoting better health and peaceful relationships with others. Ultimately, it is important to recognize that not all suffering is man-made, and innocent people can also be victims of tragedy.

God is INDIRECTLY responsible for SOME things and DIRECTLY responsible for OTHER things

In conclusion, while our choices and actions can contribute to our suffering, it is important to recognize that there are other factors at play as well. Ultimately, we live in a fallen world where suffering is a reality, but we can take comfort in the fact that God is with us in our suffering and has a greater plan for our lives. We can trust in his love, mercy, and grace, and look forward to a future where there will be no more suffering (Revelation 21:4).