The Bible doesn’t hide the reality of pain, suffering, or evil—yet it gives us a completely different way to understand and face these things now that you belong to Christ.
1. Evil Exists Because God Made Us for Real Love
God did not create robots. He created people who can love Him freely.
Real love requires real choice. And real choice means the possibility of choosing against God.
From the first humans onward, people have misused their freedom. The Bible calls this sin—the choice to go our own way instead of God’s way (Romans 3:23).
Because of that:
- relationships break,
- trust is damaged,
- hearts grow cold,
- and the world feels the ripple effects of countless harmful choices.
Evil is not just “out there.” As every believer eventually learns, it once lived deeply “in here.”
But God did not abandon us to that condition.
2. God Permits Evil for a Time, but He Never Approves of It
Sometimes you may wonder: “You may wonder: “If God hates evil, why doesn’t He stop it immediately?”
Scripture tells us that God is patient (2 Peter 3:9). He gives people time to repent, time to turn around, time to discover His grace.
His patience is not weakness — it’s mercy.
God sees everything. He will judge everything. Nothing evil will escape His justice.
As a Christian, you can rest in this: God’s patience toward the world is the same patience He showed toward you.
3. Evil Is Not Only a Global Problem — It’s a Personal Problem
Before Jesus saved you, sin held you captive. Every believer must learn to say, like Paul in Romans 7:
The answer is the same for every Christian: Only Jesus can rescue us.
As a disciple of Christ, part of your growth is learning how Christ changes your heart, your habits, your desires, and your responses to temptation.
You are not just forgiven — you are being transformed.
4. God Entered Our Broken World Through Jesus
God doesn’t ask you to trust Him from a distance. He stepped into the world’s pain Himself.
Jesus experienced every form of evil humans could inflict:
- betrayal,
- injustice,
- violence,
- grief,
- abandonment,
- and death.
He understands suffering because He carried it.
At the cross, Jesus absorbed the world’s evil and broke its power (Colossians 2:15). He took what was meant for destruction and turned it into the path of our salvation.
This means that when you suffer, you follow a Savior who has walked ahead of you.
5. The Resurrection Means Evil Will Not Win
If Jesus stayed in the grave, evil would have the final word.
But He didn’t. He rose.
His resurrection means:
- evil is temporary,
- suffering is not the end of your story,
- your future is secure,
- and God’s kingdom will one day replace everything broken.
As a Christian, you can plant your hope here: Jesus conquered death so you can live with confidence, not fear.
This World Is Not the Final Chapter
When you look around, it’s normal to think, “Why hasn’t God fixed everything yet?”
The Bible says He will — but He is giving people time to come to Him first (Acts 17:30–31).
Right now, the world is like a waiting room. God is gathering a people for Himself, and you are part of that family.
One day Jesus will return, judge all evil, and renew creation. Everything broken will be restored. Everything evil will be removed.
This is the hope you carry into every hardship.
7. What This Means for Your New Life as a Follower of Christ
Now that you follow Christ, the question becomes personal:
How do you live in a world with evil, knowing Jesus has overcome it?
You grow in three essential ways:
a. Receive Ongoing Forgiveness
If you stumble, Jesus is faithful to forgive and cleanse you (1 John 1:9).
b. Pursue Deep Healing
Christ doesn’t just forgive what you’ve done— He heals what has been done to you.
Bring your wounds to Him. He restores hearts the world has shattered.
c. Walk in Hope and Purpose
You aren’t waiting for heaven doing nothing. You are being shaped into Christ’s likeness, growing in:
- faith,
- love,
- courage,
- compassion,
- holiness.
You now carry the light of Christ into the darkness around you.
The Most Important Question
It’s no longer just:
“Why does evil exist?”
The deeper question for every disciple is:
“What will I do with the One who has defeated evil?”
As you follow Jesus:
- He will steady your faith,
- strengthen your heart,
- renew your mind,
- and shine through your life to others.
He stepped into the world’s darkness. Now He steps into yours — and begins pushing the darkness out.