Why Does God Allow Evil?

September 11, 2001, was a clear day across the eastern United States—until terrorists hijacked four passenger planes, killing nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

President George W. Bush addressed the nation that evening and said, “Today, our nation saw evil.”

Why did God allow such evil to take place on that beautiful Tuesday? You may be asking a similar question today.

In 2001, millions of Americans were struggling with despair, anger and fear. These feelings are not unique to the 9/11 attacks because we continue to experience tragedy every year whether it’s terrorism, natural disaster or personal harm. We all wonder why bad people and evil powers are allowed to continue on.

Yet, God is all-knowing and understands how we feel. He can be trusted with our emotions and struggles even when we’re surrounded by darkness.

What can we learn from these moments?

1. God did not create evil. The Lord is a God of love, mercy and compassion—especially during vile moments. The Bible says anyone “who practices sin belongs to the evil one, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning” (1 John 3:8, ISV). The devil was the first occurrence of evil.
2. There is a mystery about evil. The Bible describes it as “the mystery of iniquity” in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. Merriam-Webster defines iniquity as gross injustice and wickedness. We can’t know everything about evil, but it continues and can’t be dismissed.
3. Tragedy shows our need for one another. Catastrophe and hardships are opportunities to share each other’s burdens. We cannot go through this life alone. God promises never to abandon us. He cares so much that He wants to surround us with people who can share our struggles and encourage us along the way.

Evil exists and tragedies happen far too often. Yet the Bible tells us that God has provided a solution to evil. Though evil persists, one day it will come to end. When that happens, those who are God’s children—His people—will live with Him forever without evil.

No tears. No tragedies. No injustice.

There is only one way to find freedom from evil, one way to become one of God’s children.