Soul Diagnosis: Does God Do Evil? (Certainly Not)

Isaiah 45:7

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Kindly note the word “create” in the passage above. To create something does not necessarily mean you make use of it.

As I woke up this morning, a powerful thought ran through my mind: Does God do evil? This is a question many have misinterpreted, because they believe that God does evil whenever something bad happens to them.

But in the true context, God does not do evil. God does not execute evil. While pondering this topic, I began to gain more understanding.

Just as we have words and their opposites—up and down, right and left, life and death, good and evil—these exist so that humanity may enjoy free will to choose. That does not mean God is directly involved in the wrong choices that people make.

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

1 John 1:5

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Have you wondered why certain things happen, even to people we call good? Have you wondered why evil strikes both the good, the bad, and the ugly? Nothing happens on earth that escapes the sight of God. Though He sometimes permits it to correct us and draw us closer, in all situations it is to His glory—because He owns us. Everything seen and unseen belongs to Him alone, just as a manufacturer determines what he does with his product.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Have you read the book of Job? In context, God said to the devil, “Hast thou considered my servant Job?” (Job 1:8). The devil knew that God had protected Job, and until that hedge of protection was lifted, Satan could not touch him (Job 1:9–12).

Later, Job made his case clear to his wife when she told him to curse God and die.

Job 2:10

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Sometimes we fail God’s test as believers. When situations don’t go in our favor, we often feel we have done nothing wrong. But God knows when we have failed His test. His tests are meant to authenticate our loyalty to Him.

Examples of God Testing People in Scripture:

Abraham – “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.” (Genesis 22:1)

Israel – “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Job – Though Satan attacked Job, God allowed it as a test of his integrity and faith (Job 1–2).

Disciples – “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” (John 6:5–6)

Purpose of God’s Testing:

To reveal what is in our hearts, “To humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

To strengthen our faith : – “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

To produce perseverance and maturity : – “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

To prepare us for greater assignments :–

God’s tests are always for our growth, never for our destruction.

When you find yourself in any unpleasant situation, the first thing to do is examine yourself. Look within to see if you have done right or wrong. Don’t quickly conclude, “Why has God allowed this?” If you find fault, repent. If not, give thanks and pray:

“Lord, I am the work of Your hands. You created me for Your pleasure. Take not away the eyes of Your mercy from me.”

Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer.

In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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