Why Does Evil Exist?

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

“If God doesn't approve of hatred and bigotry, why do they exist?”

It's a question worth considering because it touches on something people have struggled to understand for generations.

If God is good, why does evil exist?

Why do people hate one another?

Why is there cruelty, injustice, discrimination, violence, and suffering?

And if God doesn't approve of these things, why does He allow them to happen?

But there's an important distinction we need to understand.

Just because something exists doesn't mean God approves of it.

Sin exists.

Pride exists.

Greed exists.

Hatred exists.

Violence exists.

Lies exist.

But their existence doesn't make them righteous.

God's Word reveals what He approves of and what He condemns.

And Scripture is clear that we are accountable for how we treat one another.

However, there's something else we must understand.

Recognizing evil is not the same as overcoming sin.

And deciding to become a better person is not the same as being made righteous before God.

That's where the Gospel becomes essential.

God's Permission Is Not the Same as God's Approval

One of the mistakes people make when discussing evil is assuming that if God allows something to happen, He must approve of it.

But Scripture makes a distinction between what God permits within His sovereign purposes and what He commands us to do.

God commands us not to murder.

Yet murder happens.

God commands us not to steal.

Yet people steal.

God commands us to love our neighbors.

Yet people hate one another.

Does that mean God approves of these sins?

Of course not.

Scripture says:

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” Psalm 5:4 (KJV)

God does not delight in wickedness.

His holiness does not change because human beings choose to disobey Him.

But this raises another question.

Why does God allow human beings to commit evil?

The Bible teaches that humanity is fallen and that sin entered the world through Adam.

It also teaches that God remains sovereign and will ultimately judge evil.

We may not understand every reason God permits particular acts of suffering or wickedness.

But we should never confuse His patience with His approval.

God's judgment may not come immediately, but that does not mean evil has escaped His notice.

We Are Responsible for Our Sin

People sometimes try to shift responsibility for their wrongdoing.

They blame their upbringing.

Their circumstances.

Other people.

Or even the devil.

But Scripture teaches that we are accountable before God.

James writes:

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14–15 (KJV)

Notice where James directs our attention.

Our own sinful desires.

The devil can tempt.

The world can influence.

Other people can encourage wrongdoing.

But temptation does not excuse our decision to sin.

We cannot simply say:

“The devil made me do it.”

We must take responsibility for our actions.

But there's an important theological distinction.

While we are responsible for our sins, Scripture also teaches that fallen humanity is enslaved to sin apart from God's saving grace.

Jesus said:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34 (KJV)

That's why the answer to evil cannot simply be:

“Tomorrow, decide to be a better person.”

Because our problem goes deeper than individual choices.

Our hearts are sinful.

And we need more than moral determination.

We need redemption.

Hatred Reveals a Heart Problem

The Bible is clear about hatred.

John writes:

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15 (KJV)

That's a serious statement.

God doesn't treat hatred as something harmless.

Hatred can reveal the same sinful disposition that gives rise to violence and murder.

Jesus also taught:

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39 (KJV)

And James warns against partiality:

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James 2:1 (KJV)

We cannot claim to follow Christ while justifying cruelty toward people because of their ethnicity, nationality, social position, or other differences.

Every human being is made in the image of God.

That doesn't mean we must approve of every belief, action, or lifestyle.

Biblical love doesn't require us to abandon truth.

But disagreement never gives us permission to hate, dehumanize, or mistreat another person.

Jesus even commands us to love our enemies.

That is not how the fallen world naturally operates.

It's how Christ calls His followers to live.

The Devil Tempts, but He Is Not an Excuse

Scripture describes Satan as a deceiver and tempter.

He works to distort truth.

He encourages rebellion against God.

He seeks to lead people away from righteousness.

But the Bible also commands believers to resist him.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (KJV)

Notice the order.

First:

Submit yourselves to God.

Then:

Resist the devil.

We cannot resist spiritual deception while refusing to submit to the truth of God's Word.

And we cannot blame Satan for sins we willingly embrace.

At the same time, we must recognize that victory over sin does not come from human strength alone.

Peter warns:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

The Christian life requires spiritual vigilance.

But our confidence must be in Christ, not ourselves.

The Problem With “Just Decide to Be Good”

It's true that people are responsible for their actions.

It's true that we should reject hatred.

It's true that we should love our neighbors.

But saying:

“Just wake up tomorrow and decide to be a better person”

doesn't fully address what Scripture teaches about the human condition.

Because if becoming righteous were simply a matter of deciding to behave better, why would we need a Savior?

Why would Jesus have to die on the cross?

Why would Scripture teach that we must be born again?

The prophet Jeremiah writes:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

That's the problem.

Sin isn't merely something happening around us.

It's something that affects the human heart.

We can recognize that hatred is wrong and still struggle with hatred.

We can know that pride is sinful and still become proud.

We can understand that forgiveness is right and still harbor bitterness.

We can promise to change and return to the same sins.

That's why we need more than self-improvement.

We need God to transform us from within.

Our Good Works Cannot Make Us Righteous Before God

Isaiah writes:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)

This verse reminds us that even our attempts at righteousness cannot make us acceptable before a perfectly holy God.

That doesn't mean feeding the hungry is worthless.

It doesn't mean caring for the vulnerable is meaningless.

It doesn't mean kindness, generosity, and compassion are unimportant.

God commands these things.

And they are good.

But good works cannot erase our sins or earn our salvation.

We can feed the hungry and still need forgiveness.

We can help the poor and still need redemption.

We can reject bigotry and still be guilty of pride, selfishness, lust, dishonesty, or unbelief.

We cannot point to our good deeds and declare ourselves righteous before God.

Paul writes:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 (KJV)

The law reveals our sin.

It cannot save us.

And that's why Jesus Christ is essential.

Seek First God's Kingdom and His Righteousness

Jesus said:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

In context, Jesus was teaching His disciples not to be consumed by anxiety over their material needs.

He called them to trust their heavenly Father and prioritize His Kingdom.

But this verse also reminds us of a foundational truth.

God's Kingdom must come before our own desires.

His righteousness must matter more than our self-righteousness.

His Word must shape our understanding of good and evil.

We cannot define righteousness according to whatever society currently approves.

Nor can we define righteousness according to our personal feelings.

We must look to God's revealed Word.

And when we do, we discover that His standard is far higher than simply avoiding the sins we dislike in other people.

Jesus calls us to love God with all our hearts.

To love our neighbors.

To forgive.

To show mercy.

To walk humbly.

To speak truth.

To turn from sin.

And to follow Him.

But none of us has obeyed these commands perfectly.

That's why seeking God's righteousness must ultimately lead us to Jesus Christ.

True Transformation Comes Through Christ

One of the greatest dangers in discussions about morality is reducing Christianity to a message of becoming a nicer person.

Be kinder.

Be more generous.

Stop hating.

Help others.

Treat people fairly.

These are important moral responsibilities.

But Christianity is not merely a moral improvement program.

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ saves sinners.

Paul writes:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Notice the phrase:

“In Christ.”

Our hope is not in becoming righteous through our own determination.

Our hope is in being reconciled to God through Jesus.

And when God saves us, He begins transforming our lives.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.

He produces spiritual fruit.

He leads us toward holiness.

Paul describes that fruit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

Notice that love is the first fruit listed.

Not hatred.

Not cruelty.

Not pride.

Not superiority.

Love.

But this love isn't something we produce independently of God.

It's the fruit of His Spirit working within us.

Jesus said:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 (KJV)

Without Christ, we cannot produce the spiritual fruit that comes from abiding in Him.

That's why we must stop trusting in our own goodness and start depending upon His grace.

Good Works Are the Fruit of Salvation, Not the Root

Paul explains this beautifully:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8–10 (KJV)

These verses belong together.

We are saved by grace through faith.

Not by works.

But we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

That means our good works are not the cause of our salvation.

They are the fruit of a life transformed by God's grace.

We don't feed the hungry to purchase forgiveness.

We feed the hungry because Christ has taught us to love.

We don't reject hatred to earn eternal life.

We reject hatred because God's Spirit is changing our hearts.

We don't show mercy to make ourselves righteous.

We show mercy because God has shown mercy to us.

Good works do not save us, but genuine saving faith produces a changed life.

And when we fail, we don't pretend we're righteous.