God’s Sovereignty And the Existence of Evil

Recap from 2 weeks ago War in us as believers: Romans 7:15-21 God’s wisdom always wins: 1 Corinthians 1:25 Our hearts are deceitful: Jeremiah 17:9 We must renew our minds: Romans 12:2

The Nature of Our Reality Jesus sustains everything: Hebrews 1:3 God actively controls His creation – Star movement (Job 38:32) – Weather (Matthew 5:45) – Feeding animals (Matthew 6:26) – Plant growth (Matthew 6:28-30) – Animal death (Matthew 10:29) – “Random” chance (Proverbs 16:33)

God’s Control of Humanity When & where nations exist: Acts 17:26 Who rules the nations: Romans 13:1 Decisions of rulers: Proverbs 21:1 Birth and death of people: Job 12:10 People’s handicaps: Exodus 4:11 People’s prosperity: 1 Samuel 2:6-7 People’s words and actions: Proverbs 16:1, Jeremiah 10:23

Then why is there evil? Many of us have heard, asked or been exposed to this question. Underlying assumption: God’s sovereignty and evil’s existence contradict each other Is this assumption accurate?

Natural Evil vs. Moral Evil Natural evil does not involve direct human actions Jonah 1:4 Joshua 10:11 Zechariah 14:17 Exodus 9:8 Genesis 6-9 God is in control of all of this

Moral Evil Moral evil = sin, a transgression of God’s law Does God ordain that men will sin? First understand: – Everything God does is righteous and just – Deuteronomy 32:3-4 – Psalm 145:17

Moral Evil This same God did all this: – Sent evil spirits to torment King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14, 18:10, 19:9) – Sent an evil spirit to cause a war between King Abimelech and the men of Shechem, resulting in Abimelech’s death (Judges 9:22-57) – Sent a lying spirit to cause Ahab’s prophets to lie to him (1 Kings 22:19-23)

Moral Evil God controls Satan and his demons – Job 1-2 – 2 Corinthians 12:7 – Mark 1:27 & Luke 4:36

Moral Evil So, does God ordain sin? – Leviticus 6:2-7 & 1 Kings 22:23 – Genesis 12:3 & Psalm 105:25 – Exodus 5:1 & Exodus 4:21 – 2 Samuel 24:10 & 2 Samuel 24:1

Moral Evil What about James 1:13? – The structure of the Greek is properly rendered “and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone” – Satan is the active agent in temptation (Acts 5:1-3, Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 3:1-6) – God controls Satan – Compare 2 Samuel 24 & 1 Chronicles 21

Why? Everything exists for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) God demonstrates His glory to us (Romans 9:23) through the greatest act of love (John 15:13) God determined to do this before creating anything (1 Peter 1:18-20) But without sin, there is no need for sacrifice. Jesus could be our sacrifice because He was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Can a good God do all this? Everything God does is perfect and just. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4 & Psalm 145:17) Evil is not good. This would be a contradiction. Evil is evil and sin is sin. God ordaining the beginning and continued existence of evil and sin is good and necessary.

Next Steps Memorize Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.