But I think the main thing to say about the problem of evil is that we believe in a God who has actually done something about the problem of evil. There was one old man named Harry Truman who had lived there for decades. Andy they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. We shouldnt be amazed when the heathenthe ungodly experience financial success because they been utilizing scriptural principles. They had to endure the oppressive rule of the wicked Antiochus Epiphanes, as well as the Roman occupation. No matter what sinful desires may grow in our hearts, no matter what evil deeds are done against us, we can always use our free will to turn to God. The fact is, we all deserve Gods judgment. Imagine two cliffs facing each other. Why does God allow the innocent to suffer? | GotQuestions.org God protected a number of His believers from harm, such as David from His son Absalom, or offering some protection to Job from the schemes of Satan. Malachi shows us who this coming Messiah is and what He will do, first with regard to His true people, and then with those who claim to be His people, but practice wickedness. Save on BibleGateway+ with code AUGUST. . We define what is evil based on our sense of morality. I have given the beloved of My soulInto the hand of her enemies.8My inheritance became to Melike a lion in the foresther voice roared against Me! Haggai (2:7-9) had prophesied that the latter glory of this temple would be greater than the former temple, but there was no evidence of that yet. If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create them? The best we can do with what we know is allow that experience to transform us into better people. 1. It is likely that one of these witnesses will be Elijah himself. It was raining outside and the doorman offered to helphe held an umbrella over Brother John while he tried to hail a taxi. Lesson 7: What to Do When Evil Prevails (Malachi 2:17-3:6) Start your free trial today. 6. Psalm 73: The Suffering of the Righteous and the Success of Sinners God in His grace does not come upon us unannounced. Realize that the ungodly prospering is actually for your benefit. If it is, then, second, you know that God has changed your heart. All rights reserved. Why do good people sometimes suffer terribly while evil people live lives of ease? If He allowed evil to enter into this universe, it could only be by His sovereign decision. How could God allow that? You are near in their mouth, yet far from their mind. Isaiah 55:8-11 in the Amplified Bible says: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. The Messiah is clearly Davids son, and yet David calls Him Lord. How can this be? If you are secure in a land of peace,how will you do in Jordans thickets?6For even your brothersyour fathers houseeven they will betray you,even they will shout out after you. This young man was wearing an Armani suit and as Brother John said a pair of alligator shoes so fresh they were snapping as the man ran through the puddled water., The doorman said, Sorry, sir, this taxi belongs to this gentleman, if youll be patient Ill call a taxi for you.. 3:13), remember Gods reason for delaying judgment: The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. But did they leave? Saint Basil the Great, an influential Christian of the 4th century, offers an answer to the "problem of evil", saying "No one who is in this world will deny that evils exist. Even in those cases, we can say that the suffering is the result of sin, generally speaking, because we live in a sinful world. They were under the thumb of the Medo-Persian Empire, which was godless and yet prosperous. When you see evil prevailing and you long for that new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. Of course, I'm referring to the classical problem of the existence of evil. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Even if you have not verbalized these thoughts, God knows about them. These people wanted God to zap the prosperous, wicked pagans, but Malachi adroitly shows that by pointing their finger at others, they had three fingers pointing back at themselves! They warned the local residents to get out of there. In America, a country with a Judeo-Christian foundation we define morality based on what we know from the Bible. He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24). Many New Age Thinkers believe in a Spiritual Presence and they definitely understand sowing and reaping. Such theodicies have covered the gauntlet between a simple explanation that evil comes as a direct result of human free will or to more complex philosophical attempts such as that offered by the philosopher Leibniz. Yet they are not three gods, but one God. .. 6. . Is it worth it to follow the Lord?" Many of the Jewish people in Malachi's day were struggling with this problem. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The answer to why resides in the very first book of the Bible, where God created the first man and woman. Have you ever wondered why some of the most ungodly people in your office dress in ways you cant afford? God did not "create" evil when He set the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden. Asaph looked out at the world and saw that the wicked prosper! We do know that free will exists (James 4:17). When thoughts pop into your head about how the ungodly are prospering. So we need to check our thoughts when they run in this direction. They wore themselves out, gaining nothing. This is one of the most frequently asked questions of the Christian faith: why does a Good God Allow Evil to Prosper?Consider donating to support this music . Even Billy Graham couldnt fully explain it. Believers have known throughout the ages that evil exists in the world. Why do the wicked prosper? | GotQuestions.org You didnt use to worry about pleasing God with your use of time and money, but now you feel guilty for squandering those things. There are many verses that prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that God has everything under control. . That is not the life we live. Rather, evil is always defined as an action, an action that fails to meet a standard of goodness. The Book of Leviticus is a great example of God laying down expectations for His followers of how He wants them to behave. Why does God let innocent people suffer? I also think that the problem of good is an even bigger problem for people who don't believe in God than the problem of evil is for Christians, because how can you explain the beauty of the universe or the joy in a mother's heart as she welcomes her baby into the world, or any one of a thousand other wonderful marvelous things in the world that God has made. Saint Basil the Great, an influential Christian of the 4th century, offers an answer to the "problem of evil", saying "No one who is in this world will deny that evils exist. What Does the Bible Say About Evil People Prospering? - OpenBible.info Yet, they did. Evil is a parasite that feeds on a host. It is God in His goodness and in His sovereignty who has ordained the final conquest over evil and its riddance from His universe. 1:8). Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/AlessandroPhoto, Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. Thus Malachis prophecy has a double fulfillment, as many prophecies do. Five Psalms to Pray When the Wicked Prosper | Open the Bible But with others, the purpose of the fire is not to purify, but to destroy (3:5, 6; 4:1). Understanding why He allows evil and suffering isnt easy. Some even mocked God, saying that He delights in evil people and calls them good! Request this new collection of historic creeds, catechisms, and confessions of faith. 720-721; Walter Kaiser, Malachi, Gods Unchanging Love [Baker], p. 81). If there are no punishment for disobeying God, if there are no evils as rewards of sin, I guess very few people will obey the commandments of God. Jesus applied Malachis prophecy to John (Matt. Ive got a multi-million dollar deal waiting for my signature and I cant be late. The question, "How can a good God allow the righteous to suffer?" reveals several fallacies in our thinking. We can do our best to beat the evil, or sin, that dwells within us or someone else. It has been called the Achilles' heel of the Christian faith. 7 Reasons The Ungodly Prosper Written by Harold Herring. Can I stand when He appears? Because when He comes, He is going to clean house on Israel and He is going to judge all the wicked. He did not force them to do this though and there were many people who did not follow Christ. When someone breaks Gods moral standards and seems to be doing just fine, dont be deceived. God has everything under control when we serve Him. He responds to evil in the world and within ourselves because He loves us. Godly principles work even when the heathen work them, I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.". You begin to wonder, Why follow God when all I get is trials? . For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord., 2. That evil is not a living and animated substance, but a condition of the soul which is opposed to virtue and which springs up in the slothful because of their falling away from good.". Billy Graham: Why Does God Allow Suffering? Of course, I'm referring to the classical problem of the existence of evil. On the other hand, if God does have the power to prevent evil but fails to do it, then this would reflect upon His character, indicating that He is neither good nor loving. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Why do the Wicked Prosper? Why God Permits Evil - bibletoday.com They spend their days in prosperity,And suddenly they go down to Sheol. Im afraid that many people fail to feel the serious weight of this burden of explanation. Before the king traveled, he sent out messengers who proclaimed his coming. Foundation Matters Discipleship EP 2: Why Does a Good God Allow Evil to .he did it to Peter. He is sovereign. Job 21:7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? There is no singular answer to this question. Evil and sin exist in the world. If He has shown us mercy, it is the epitome of self-centeredness to say, Now that Im saved, God, You can judge all the pagans out there! Its as if I had been in a shipwreck and was drowning with many others. Many Jews had become disappointed with God. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. The people in Malachis day were saying, Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them (2:17). Notice carefully whom Jesus accused. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! from the one end of the land to the other end of the land. When we refuse to acknowledge God's truththat no one is good, no not one (Romans 3:10)we turn and blame God, the merciful One, who sent His Son to die in our place. You strive to be holy because you fear God (2 Cor. And I know that even now, when I dont understand all the answers, I have You with me, and that is all that matters. 15Yet it will come to pass, after I have uprooted them, that I will again have compassion on them and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. Access 50+ premium resources. Another way to ask this question is, "why does God allow suffering?" God allowed evil to enter the equation because He is sovereign. >>Why do people suffer and die? All across the world there exist people who commit robberies, murder, rape, among other harmful acts. Rather than ask, Why does God allow evil? try asking God to, Deliver us from evil. In other words, ask God to change your heart so that you would do what pleases Him, rather than whats evil or sinful in His sight. Read more. Let me tell you, He is coming. I no sooner get in than I say, Lets head for shore. 8 Surprising Things about You That Are Attractive to Your A Prayer for When You Dont Understand Your Circumstances, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. No matter what God allows, His love is consistent and He continues to care for our wellbeing. The temple belongs only to God, not to any man. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? Jeremiah 27:6 ). One way to understand free will is the ability to make a choice without being compelled by an external force. Anytime he has you thinking about things that are not of earthly benefit to youhe can neutralize your effectiveness for the kingdom of God by creating doubt. Even so, the Lord uses the fires of affliction to produce purity in His people, so that His image is reflected in us (Heb. The enemy has a history of deceiving those even close to Jesus. The reason is sin. The whole land will be laid waste,because no one takes it to heart.12On all the bare hills in the wildernessdestroyers have come. God has given us free will, and we can be encouraged by that truth in spite of the evilness we create or endure. The doorman said, Sir, it may take another 10-20 minutes to get you another taxi., Brother John said, Thats okay, let him have it.. The rich man experienced short term rewards but never tasted the cool taste of water or the long-range rewards enjoyed by Lazarus. How can we be honest about our struggles, and yet not sinfully challenge God. Have you ever ridden through a neighborhood and wondered who owns the expensive houses with the neatly manicured lawns? To the casual observer this attempt was nothing more than a devoted disciples desire to keep his master from being killed. His ways prosper at all times;Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them. .now. This is an unfortunate reality since the first man and woman. The reasons why a loving God would allow so much evil in the world are a mystery and a stumbling block to faith for many people. Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You;Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You:Why has the way of the wicked prospered?Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? That is utter nonsense! Many of the ungodly yet successful people Ive met over the years. The latter are Jews by birth, Jews outwardly, but they do not fear God and so they ought to fear His judgment (see Rom. He is responsible for setting leaders in place (often for reasons and purposes we do not understand).". What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? Yes, sin creates inequality, injustice, unfairness, unrighteousness and suffering BUT GOD keeps the books. Thats it. Other times, innocent children suffer because of what some might call "acts of God": natural disasters, accidents, childhood cancer, etc. Where is the God of justice?. At the same time he is seeking to deceive you about the real purpose of your mission. Whatever a man sows, he will reap (Gal. If Gods nature is all-good, then naturally everything He creates is good also. God came along and pulled me into the lifeboat. Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) One answer to the question "Why do the wicked prosper?" is that even the wicked have a purpose to fulfill in God's plan. In Luke 16:19-31 we read the story of the rich man and Lazarus. God has given us free will. Set them apart for the day of carnage. For our own good, God desires for every person to follow His commands. The prophets had predicted a glorious future for Israel. Ive got time before I need to repent. But remember, The Lord of glory always comes as a thief in the night to those who sleep in their sins (Schmieder, cited by C. F. Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament, Minor Prophets [Eerdmans], p. 458). And more than that has died to redeem it. Psalm 73:3 "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." If a raving atheist sows $100believing that he will receive a hundredfold returnhe will. Billy Graham explains in this 1-minute clip. Because of these disappointments with Gods promises, many were voicing their skepticism and even daring to question if a God of justice exists. Jesus spoke about the troubles Christians would face (John 16:33). God has given us free will. .you would be exactly right. Privacy In His mercy, God allows mankind to eat of the fruit of his toil (hard labor) whether we are obedient to Him or not. 12 Righteous are You, Adonai, when I plead my case with You. However, though we belong to God, there is evil in the world. There are potholes and ruts, with rocks strewn all over the place. If God is good and loving, why does he allow evil and suffering to exist? Here are sixteen Bible passages that help us understand why God allows the presence of evil and suffering in the world: God has a purpose in everything he allows. So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.. 2 Peter 3:15 says, "Remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved." If God extends His patience for their salvation, we must hope, pray, and share the gospel to them for their salvation, too. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. Why Does God Allow Evil? - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association If there is a God of justice in heaven, why doesnt He do something about all the injustice in the world? When bad things happen in the world, God is often blamed. His moral standards do not shift with the winds of the times. I have yet to find a satisfying explanation for what theologians call the mystery of iniquity. Ecclesiastes 2:26 in the New Living Translation says: God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. 11:10). Evil always and ever serves the ultimate best interest of God Himself. Therefore, the greater our sense of Gods Word the more we understand what behaviors are to be encouraged and assuaged, whether within ourselves or as a society. That plan centers in His Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will suddenly come into His temple. Hence, a theodicy is an attempt to justify God for the existence of evil (as seen, for instance, in John Milton's Paradise Lost). .theyre working for you. God is just and righteous. It seems as if God did not even hear your prayers. .that we allow sinful thoughts to grow. 13:20). In this regard, evil has been defined in terms of its being either a negation (negatio) of the good, or a privation (privatio) of the good. Theres no sense getting all worked up about it. Why does God allow evil? | GotQuestions.org Is there a direct connection between a believers trials and some specific sin in his life? We need not live in slavery to our sinful inclinations ( Romans 6:16-18 ), though we still battle against our sinful desires ( Romans 7:14-25 ). God's Answer to Evil Though sin puts a barrier between us and God, He provided a solution: His Son, Jesus Christ. Each is a distinct Person, not just a different manifestation of God. 40:28). Help me walk through the questions, assured of Your answers, even though theyre still unclear to me. When you believe in your heart that this actually happened and accept Jesus as your Savior, your life is changed forever; evil and death cannot win. Are vultures circling all around her? The young man was insistent, indignant and somewhat rude. .what should you do? I love the last sentence of Hebrews 11:26 in the Message Bible where it says: because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff.. May 03, 2022 The "problem of evil" is a philosophical question regarding how the following three ideas can coexist: God is almighty, God is perfectly good, and evil exists. Many Jews had become disappointed with God. But after the warning of Gods messengers, When Malachi says (3:1), The Lord whom you seek and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, he is using irony. God does not force a change in their hearts or minds because He has blessed us with free will. The former are Jews who truly believe in God, but need to be cleansed of their sins. One of the most important approaches to the problem of evil is that set forth originally by Augustine and then later by Aquinas, in which they argued that evil has no independent being. If He did, He would often find our lives in shambles. When you sowif you expect to receive a harvest you will. 23:17; 34:23; Isa. One thing we know for sure is that evil does exist. But God is infinitely wise and can see how it all fits together. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 Why do people suffer and die? We understand that God is all-powerful or omnipotent (Matthew 19:26). 11 Bible Verses about The Wicked Prosper - Online Bible No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. Truthfully, there have been times in the past when I wondered about those things. We only spoke for a few minutes but I purchased his School of Biblical Economic package. Therefore I despised her.9Is My inheritance a speckled vulture? Darkness doesn't exist other than an absence of light, as evil doesn't exist on its own, but only as an absence of virtue or a turning away from God. Repent and bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance (see Matt. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.. Did you wonder why they have a new car when you're driving a refuge from the salvage yard? Jesus admonished. 11:1-12). You are submitting to the Lord in trials, trusting that He will work these things together for good (Rom. Yes, the ungodly can experience abundance herebut the only reward they will get is right here on planet earth. In both cases, the very definition of evil depends upon a prior understanding of the good. Rejecting God and His way of life causes evil to continue in the world. However, whether positive or negative originally, each experience will be used by God for an ultimately positive outcome. Then, Sir, why did you let that man have your taxi?, Brother John smiled and said, I dont know him personally but he is working for me., A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.. New Living Translation LORD, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. Biblica.com (see here) says, "What we have to keep in mind is that whether a leader is good or bad, God continues to accomplish His will. We think of sin as something that is unrighteous, involving disobedience, immorality, and the like. Get ready! Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2003, All Rights Reserved. Meanwhile, the Jews had to endure four long centuries without a true prophet. He was only 39 at the time of his death, and easily could have served for another 25-30 years. For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.. 12:3-11). He is called the Lord, whom you seek, who was also identified in 2:17 as the God of justice. The Hebrew word for Lord is Adon. Though sin puts a barrier between us and God, He provided a solution: His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who swear falsely covers everything from bending the truth in our personal relationships to perjury under oath in court. They are growing, bearing fruit. The difference between the two groups is that the former is the object of Gods unchanging covenant love (3:6, 1:2), whereas the latter is not. There in the Book of Genesis, the first man and woman made a decision that brought evil into the world through what we call sin. I think thats why I was led to write Seven Reasons The Ungodly Prosper., 1. The inclination for the will to act in an immoral manner is already a signal of sin. The doorman sternly objected and said, Sir, youll have to wait., Brother John smiled and told the doorman to let the young man have the taxi. Aug 13, 2018 -- For many Christians, we might feel like that massive goldfish in a small bowl. . In our text, the point is that the messenger of the covenant (Messiah) who comes suddenly into His temple is God. .the sinners wealth passes to the godly.. Ask God to give you His heart of compassion for sinners, so that He can use you to reach out to them with the good news of Messiahs first coming and the warning of His second coming. We want to see Him. So, youre looking for Him? God warned Adam saying, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Genesis 2:17, NKJV). You have the God of creation behind you. 7:1). He didnt believe that it would blow up, so he wasnt going to move. . He didnt share this as an occasion for fear, but rather to be joyful knowing we could overcome the world as He did. 13:15-16). Note that there is a difference in Gods judgment here. There he realized, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps. For many people, the world can be seen as an extremely unfair place. .only three that he can use against you. God reacted to evil in the world during the biblical era, and we can rest assured He reacts to evil today. The earth and everything in it,the world and its inhabitants,belong to the Lord. (Psalm 24:1). Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? But, Malachi asks, are you sure that you want Him to come? Who can endure the day of His coming? I know that Jesus is coming, but He hasnt come for almost 2,000 years. All whom He saves, He purifies so that they may present to Him offerings in righteousness, that is, the true worship of yielding our lives as living sacrifices to Him (Rom. 7. Read Psalm 73, where the author was struggling with the same issue, until he went into the sanctuary of God.
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