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The presence of evil in the world is one of the most pressing questions people face, causing many to doubt the existence or care of God. From personal suffering to global tragedies, the seeming prevalence of wickedness can make it difficult to reconcile with the belief in a loving Creator. However, the Bible provides answers that not only explain the origin of evil but also reveal God’s plan to end it. Understanding these answers can bring hope and reassurance, particularly in a world where injustice and pain appear to dominate.

How Should We Understand the Problem of Evil?

In every corner of human experience, evil has left its mark. From crimes of violence and war to the destruction of innocent lives, the reality of wickedness touches us all. When we see criminals walk free, injustice prevail, or people suffer for no apparent reason, it is natural to feel frustration, anger, and even doubt. The prophet Habakkuk gave voice to these feelings when he asked, “Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” (Habakkuk 1:3). Habakkuk, like many of us, struggled with the question of why God allows evil to persist.

For some, the existence of evil leads to doubt in the very existence of God. Yet, Scripture provides clear evidence that God exists and cares for His creation. Romans 1:20 states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” God’s existence is evident in the beauty and order of creation, yet the presence of wickedness can cloud this understanding.

The Bible assures us that God does care deeply about human suffering. Jehovah’s response to Habakkuk’s distress was clear: though it seemed as though injustice reigned, God assured him that He had an “appointed time” for dealing with wickedness. “It will not be late” (Habakkuk 2:3). But why, then, has God allowed wickedness to continue for so long?

Why Has God Permitted Wickedness?

To understand why God has allowed evil, we must go back to the origin of human suffering. The Bible reveals that wickedness began in the Garden of Eden, where Satan challenged God’s authority and honesty. In Genesis 3:1-5, the Devil, speaking through a serpent, questioned Eve about God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan’s words were loaded with deceit, as he suggested that God was withholding something good from Adam and Eve. His statement, “You will not certainly die,” was a direct contradiction of God’s warning in Genesis 2:17.

This act of rebellion raised several important issues. First, Satan questioned God’s honesty, implying that God was withholding knowledge or goodness from His creation. If God could not be trusted in this matter, how could His creatures trust Him at all? Second, Satan questioned whether God deserved to rule, insinuating that humans could govern themselves without God’s guidance. By doing so, Satan implied that humans were better off setting their own moral standards, free from God’s law.

These challenges were not just directed at Adam and Eve but at all of God’s intelligent creation, including the angels. The Devil’s rebellion posed a serious moral question: Can humans and other created beings govern themselves successfully without God’s rule? The settlement of these issues required time and experience to demonstrate whether Satan’s claims were true.

What Have We Learned From the Passage of Time?

Over the centuries, human history has provided the answer to Satan’s challenge. Human attempts at self-governance, independent of God, have consistently led to failure. Wars, corruption, oppression, crime, and poverty have characterized every form of government. Jeremiah 10:23 accurately states, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” Despite humanity’s best efforts, we have been unable to create a peaceful, just society.

Additionally, time has shown the consequences of disobedience to God. Just as God warned, sin brought death into the world, and with death came suffering, sickness, and pain. Romans 5:12 explains, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned.” The effects of sin are evident in the suffering that fills our world, confirming that rebellion against God brings devastation rather than blessing.

While some may ask why God did not immediately destroy Satan and end evil, the Bible reveals that God’s decision to allow time for these issues to play out was an act of wisdom. By permitting wickedness for a time, God allowed humans and angels to see the results of rebellion. He is not an insecure ruler who needs to immediately silence opposition; rather, He allows all intelligent creatures to observe the evidence and make their own choice regarding His rulership.

How Can We Benefit From God’s Patience?

Though the world is full of suffering, there are benefits to the time God has allowed for the resolution of these moral questions. One major benefit is that we have been given the opportunity to exist. Had God immediately ended evil by destroying Satan and Adam and Eve, none of us would have had the chance to live and experience the blessings of life.

Moreover, the time has allowed each of us to prove our loyalty to God. Satan claimed that no human would remain faithful to God under hardship, as he argued in the case of Job (Job 1:9-11). Satan asserted that humans serve God only for selfish reasons, and if they were tested with suffering, they would curse God. God allowed Satan to test Job, yet Job remained faithful despite losing his children, his wealth, and his health (Job 1:20-22; 2:10). Job’s example stands as a powerful testimony that humans can love God for who He is, not just for what He gives.

In a similar way, each of us is given the opportunity to prove our love and loyalty to God by choosing to live according to His standards, even in a world full of suffering. Proverbs 27:11 captures this principle: “Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.” By remaining faithful to God, we provide an answer to Satan’s challenge and show that humans can indeed live righteous lives despite the presence of evil.

What Does the Bible Promise About the End of Wickedness?

The Bible promises that God will not allow wickedness to continue indefinitely. Just as He set an appointed time for dealing with the wickedness in Habakkuk’s day, He has an appointed time for ending all evil. Psalm 37:10-11 assures us, “A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”

God’s plan involves restoring the earth to the paradise condition originally intended for Adam and Eve. In Revelation 21:4, we are given a glimpse of this future: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This promise assures us that the suffering we experience today is temporary, and God’s ultimate plan is one of peace, health, and happiness.

What Role Does Faith Play in Overcoming Evil?

One of the key messages of the Bible is that faith in God’s promises is essential to overcoming the challenges of living in an evil world. Habakkuk 2:4 tells us, “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” Despite the suffering around us, we are called to trust in God’s promise to bring an end to wickedness and to live according to His standards in the meantime.

Faith also involves recognizing that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His timing is perfect, even if we do not fully understand it. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Trusting in God’s wisdom and plan helps us endure the trials of life with hope and confidence in His justice.

How Can We Live When Wickedness Is Gone?

The Bible assures us that God’s purpose is to eliminate wickedness and restore the earth to a paradise state. Those who remain loyal to God and His standards during this time of wickedness will be granted the privilege of living in this restored world. Jesus promised this in Luke 23:43 when He told the repentant criminal, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Living in a world without wickedness will be a time of unparalleled joy and peace. Isaiah 65:17 speaks of this time, saying, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” The pain and suffering of this current world will be forgotten, replaced by the joy of living in harmony with God and His creation.

What Can We Learn From Job’s Example?

Job’s faithfulness in the face of extreme suffering provides a powerful example of how we can remain loyal to God despite the presence of evil. Job endured the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health, yet he did not curse God or lose faith. In Job 27:5, he declared, “I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.”

Job’s confidence in God’s goodness was so strong that he expressed hope in a future resurrection, even in the midst of his suffering. He said, “If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come” (Job 14:14). Job’s hope in the resurrection is echoed in the promises of Jesus, who assured us that those who have died will live again in the paradise to come (John 5:28-29).

Will You Remain Faithful to God?

As we navigate the problem of evil in the world, we are each given the opportunity to show our loyalty to God. Satan’s challenge was that no human would remain faithful under trial, but we can prove him wrong by trusting in God’s goodness and His promise to end wickedness. By living according to God’s standards and exercising faith in His plan, we can look forward to a future where evil no longer exists, and we can enjoy eternal life in the paradise God originally intended for humanity.

About the Author

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 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).