Why Does God Allow Evil? What the Bible Says

TL;DR: The Bible addresses God's allowance of evil through themes of human free will, divine justice, and redemptive purpose. Scripture affirms that God is righteous in all His works even when evil occurs, that those who devise evil err and face consequences, and that the Lord watches over evil and brings accountability. Protestant theology holds that God permits evil without being its author, using it to accomplish His sovereign purposes while ultimately promising justice for the righteous.

"Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice." — Daniel 9:14

This verse from Daniel's prayer of confession reveals a core biblical principle: evil and suffering can be understood as consequences of human disobedience, yet God remains righteous throughout Daniel 9:14. Daniel does not accuse God of wrongdoing but instead acknowledges that the people's failure to obey brought calamity upon them.

"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good." — Proverbs 14:22

Proverbs reinforces that those who choose to devise evil are themselves in error, while those who pursue good receive mercy and truth Proverbs 14:22. This frames evil as originating in human moral choice rather than divine intention, a foundational concept in understanding why God allows evil to exist in a world He created good.

Protestant · Christianity

Protestant View on Why God Allows Evil

"There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief." — Proverbs 12:21

Protestant theology generally holds that God permits evil as a consequence of the free will He granted to humanity. When humans choose to disobey God's commands, evil and suffering follow as natural or judicial consequences. Daniel 9:14 captures this dynamic powerfully, showing that God's righteousness is not undermined by the presence of evil but is actually demonstrated through His just response to human disobedience Daniel 9:14.

Reformers and their theological heirs have emphasized that God is never the author of evil, but He sovereignly oversees it. Deuteronomy 25:16 underscores that unrighteous acts are an abomination to the Lord, meaning evil is fundamentally contrary to His character Deuteronomy 25:16. Yet God's sovereignty means nothing escapes His awareness or ultimate control, even the evil He abhors.

Protestant thinkers also point to the distinction between God's permissive will and His directive will. Proverbs 14:22 affirms that those who devise evil err, implying moral responsibility rests with the human agent Proverbs 14:22. God allows human beings to make real moral choices, and those choices carry real consequences, which is why evil exists in a world governed by a good God.

Ultimately, Protestant theology finds hope in the promise that evil does not have the final word. Proverbs 12:21 declares that no evil shall ultimately happen to the just, pointing toward God's eschatological justice where the righteous are vindicated and the wicked face the fullness of their choices Proverbs 12:21.

Key takeaways

God is declared righteous in all His works even when evil occurs, as affirmed in Daniel 9:14 Daniel 9:14.
Evil originates in human moral error and disobedience, not in God's character or intention Proverbs 14:22.
Unrighteous acts are described as an abomination to God, showing evil is contrary to His nature Deuteronomy 25:16.
The Bible promises that no ultimate evil shall befall the just, pointing to God's final justice Proverbs 12:21.
Protestant theology distinguishes God's permissive will from His directive will, holding humans morally responsible for evil choices.

FAQs

Does the Bible say God causes evil?

The Bible distinguishes between God permitting evil and God causing it. Daniel 9:14 shows God watching over evil and bringing consequences upon those who disobeyed, while affirming His righteousness throughout Daniel 9:14. Deuteronomy 25:16 calls unrighteous acts an abomination to God, making clear that evil is contrary to His nature Deuteronomy 25:16. God is portrayed as just and holy, not as the originator of evil.

What does the Bible say happens to those who devise evil?

Proverbs 14:22 states plainly that those who devise evil err, while mercy and truth belong to those who devise good Proverbs 14:22. This verse places moral responsibility squarely on the human agent who chooses evil, and it contrasts the outcome of evil scheming with the blessing that accompanies good intentions and actions.

Does God promise protection from evil for the righteous?

Proverbs 12:21 declares that no evil shall happen to the just, while the wicked shall be filled with mischief Proverbs 12:21. Protestant interpreters understand this as a general principle of divine justice and an eschatological promise, meaning that ultimately God will ensure the righteous are not overcome by evil, even if they experience suffering in the present age.

Is unrighteousness an abomination to God?

Yes. Deuteronomy 25:16 explicitly states that all who do unrighteously are an abomination unto the LORD their God Deuteronomy 25:16. This strong language communicates that evil and injustice are deeply offensive to God's holy character, which is why He cannot be considered the author or approver of evil even when He permits it within His sovereign plan.

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