Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?

1. How did evil begin? 

      Evil began on earth when Satan told the first lie. Satan was originally a perfect angel, but "he did not stand fast in the truth." (John 8:44)  He developed a desire for worship that rightly belongs only to God. Satan lied to the first woman, Eve and persuaded her  to obey him instead of God. Adam joined Eve  in disobeying God. Adam's decision led to suffering and death. Read Genesis 3:1-6, 19.

     When Satan suggested that Eve disobey God, he was starting a rebellion against God's sovereignty, or position as Most High. The majority of mankind have joined Satan in rejecting God as their Ruler. Thus, Satan has become "the ruler of the world." Read John 14:30; 1 John 5:19.  

2.  Was God's creation defective?

       All of God's works are perfect.  The humans and angels whom God created were capable of obeying God perfectly. (Deuteronomy 32:4, 5) God created us with the freedom to choose between doing good and doing evil.  That freedom gives us a way to express love to God. Read James 1:13-1; 1 John 5:3.

3.  Why has God allowed suffering until now?

       For a limited time, Jehovah has allowed rebellion against his sovereignty.  Why? To show that no effort to rule without him benefits people.  (Ecclesiastes 7:29) After 6,000 years of human history, the evidence is clear. Human rulers have failed to eliminate war, crime, injustice, or disease.  Read Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 9:17. 

       In contrast to human rulership, God's rule benefits those who accept it.  (Isaiah 48:17, 18) Soon, Jehovah will bring all human government to an end.  Only people who choose to be ruled by God will inhabit the earth. -Isaiah 11:9.  Read Daniel 2;44.

4. What does God's patience allow us to do? 

       Satan  claimed that no one would serve Jehovah out of unselfish love. Would you like to disprove that lie? You can! God's patience allows all of us to show whether we favor rule by God or rule by man. We indicated our choice by the way we live. Read Job 1:8-12; Proverbs 27:11. 

5. How can we choose God as our Ruler?

      We can choose God as our Ruler by seeking out and practicing true worship based on God's Word, the Bible (which, by the way, only the Jehovah's Witnesses teach.  The whole Bible, not parts of it, like all the other religions do;this I know for a fact.) (John 4:23) We can reject Satan as our ruler by keeping out of politics and war, as Jesus did.  Read John 17:14)  

Note: If we all had had enough faith in God in the beginning, we would not have to have a human government or wars to begin with. I want God as my ruler) 

    Satan uses his power to promote  immoral, harmful practices. When we reject such practices, some friends and relatives may ridicule or  oppose us.  (1 Peter 4:3, 4)  (note: I have gone that myself. But I love God more, because after all, he and Jesus will be the ones to judge us in the end as per our deeds etc., not our family or our friends. God comes first, then family etc.)  So we face a choice. Will we associate  with people who love God? Will we obey his wise and loving laws?  If we do, we prove that Satan lied when he claimed that  under pressure no one  would do as God says.  Read 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; 15:33.

      God's love for mankind guarantees that evil and suffering will end. Those who demonstrate that they believe this will enjoy life on earth forever. Read John 3:16. 

Next time: How Can Your Family Be Happy?

From the Awake! magazine, 2014