Randy Langham
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Many evils take place today. Children are being massacred at schools. Children are being abused even by their own parents. Violence and perversions are running rampant in our land.

When we hear about these awful tragedies we often have these questions in our minds. Why would a loving God allow evil to take place? Why would a loving God allow innocent children to be hurt. The answer to this puzzle is revealed when we understand perspectives.


Understand Perspectives

Two men look at the same number. Larry on the left sees the number 9 and Roger on the right sees the number 6? Why the difference?






When Amber looks at Life it appears yellowish. When Rose looks at Life it appears reddish. Why the difference?





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Have you been through painful therapy? Why would you do such a thing? It hurts! If you view therapy as a form of torture you will complain and quit. If you view therapy as your means to recovery, then you will look beyond the pain and focus on the future benefit. Your view is a matter of perspective.

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The Big Question

When people experience painful moments in life it is common to ask the Big Question, “How can a loving God allow evil?”


The Big Picture

Instead of examining the question “How can a loving God allow evil?” let’s zoom away from it and get the big picture first. For starters it is a twisted question. These questions exist to manipulate the thinking of the one being asked. They force the hearer to answer in the way the questioner wants it answered.

For example, have you ever heard someone ask, “Have you stopped beating your wife?” It is a twisted question, because if you answer yes, then you admit you have been beating her. If you answer no, then you admit you are still beating her.

The tactic of the demonic uses deception. They take a lie and give it enough of a twist to appear true and deceive people.

The Underlying Beliefs

Now let’s look at the big twisted question, “How can a loving God allow evil?” The statement insinuates that God makes mistakes. The truth is that people who ask this question have already believed one or more misunderstandings, which then leads them to conclude the big twisted question. Therefore, the rest of this booklet will focus on those underlying beliefs which lead a person to ask that big question.

The Book of Job

The book of Job gives many helpful insights for this topic. The man Job was considered a good person: There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil ... The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 1:1,8).

Out of nowhere Job lost his servants, his livestock, his means of transportation, the house of his oldest son, and all his children  (1:13-19). In addition Satan smote Job with sore boils all over his body (2:7-8).

Underlying Beliefs Behind the Big Twisted Question

Anyone can believe the Big Twisted Question if he or she first believes in any of the following 23 misunderstandings. Have you believed any of these?


Misunderstanding #1: The world revolves around me!

In chess it is common for players to sacrifice pieces, even the castle or the queen, in order to win the game. How easy it would be for a player to be upset, if an important piece is captured. But the purpose of the game is to capture the opponent’s king.

God has a worldwide scope where winning is more than giving one individual person a comfortable and prosperous life. Often people ask, “Why would God allow this?” and the question implies only one answer to the deeper question, “Why would God do this to me?” The truth is that God never makes a decision without hundreds if not billions of people being affected for the good. Every painful activity in life takes place to impact a maximum number of people.

The terrorist attack on America, September 11, 2001, was a tragedy. But one of the many outcomes was a multitude of Americans who turned their hearts to the Lord.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:3-4)


Misunderstanding #2: God must not care about me!

This misunderstanding is easy to believe. If people believe that pain is always bad, then it is natural to conclude that God does not care about the individuals.

Remember the illustration of therapy? The only way to improve is to go through the pain. Pain can be a good thing. Look at God’s perspective for all events in life:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son  (Romans 8:28-29)


Before the world began God determined that your purpose in life is to become just like His Son, Jesus.

Your life does not consist of things you can see or feel on earth. You are here for a short time. Afterwards you will live forever. God’s focus is primarily on your eternity, not just on your short time on earth.

By the way, when have you grown up the most in life? If you are honest you will have the same answer everyone else gives—during the most difficult and painful moments of life.

Another way to state your purpose in life is to have an intimate relationship with God. When life is comfortable it is easy to loose track of God. It is as if the Lord is not needed. If losing a limb, or living in jail causes you to draw closer to God then that becomes a viable option in God’s overall plans. Job understood this truth, for he said, But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).


Misunderstanding #3 Abused people should be pitied for having life worse than that of other people!

The truth is the people who experience greater pain in life actually have a greater opportunity to experience more of God. Similarly, children who grow up without a daddy figure have a unique relationship with God, for He has said, I will be a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).

Heavenly angels have never sinned and they have no idea what it feels like to be forgiven? This is something that angels have longed to look into. Christians, however, will know experientially this amazing wonder and carry it into eternity

People who (1) have been through the worst of pain and (2) have also experienced the wonder of God out of those painful trials will have a view of God they get to enjoy into eternity, a view that the rest of us will long to look into, but never know.


Misunderstanding #4: God is not sovereign!

Other ways to say this are to say “God is not in control of everything,” “Satan is more powerful than God,” and “Nothing good will ever come out of suffering.” This misunderstanding causes people to think that Satan sneaked up on God, put Him in some kind of head lock, and the demons had free reign to do evil on planet earth until God could get out of the wrestling hold.

The truth is that God is in control of everything, and He is working out His purposes and plans through all circumstances. Consider Job 1-2. Satan is so feeble compared to God that he had to ask permission to harm Job.

Now consider the absolute worst moment in all of human history. That was the day human beings put the Son of God on a cross and crucified Him. Did anything good come out of that? Absolutely. God performed His greatest work at the same time human beings and the demonic did their worst work.







Why does God allow evil?
part 1
Continue to part 2 of article
God Allowing Evil 2

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