Breaking Free Ministries USA
Why Is There Evil? ~ A Biblical Approach


WHY DISASTERS, SICKNESS, SUFFERINGS, THE INNOCENT DIES, ETC.?
                                                                                                 Is God To Blame?    
                                                                                                                                            By James Swinton



There are primarily three reasons behind sufferings, disasters and accidental death. The first reason
involves a spiritual power known as Satan. The second reason involves the free will of mankind
connected with human nature and chance. The third reason involves the direct action of God.


                                           LUCIFER'S REBELLION
Before the creation of mankind, God created angels, and one of those was named Lucifer (Ezekiel
28:15). He was perfect until iniquity was found in him: "...you were the seal of perfection, full of
wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God...You were perfect in your ways
from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you (Ezekiel 28:12-15)1. Lucifer's heart
became vain because of his beauty: "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted
your wisdom for the sake of your splendor ... (verse 17). One day Lucifer decided he wanted to
overthrow God and take control of His kingdom, called Heaven (Isaiah 14: 12-14; Revelations
12:7-9). God did not create Lucifer a sinful being, but He did permit it. Lucifer's name was then
changed to Satan. He became the originator of evil because of his rebellion against God.

                                            SATAN - THE DECEIVER
God afterward created man and woman to inhabit the earth (Genesis 1:26- 27; 2:18-25). Satan,
through the serpent, was able to convince Eve, who later convinced her husband Adam to eat the fruit
that God had told them not to eat (Genesis 3:1-6). Satan lied to them saying they could be gods
(Genesis 3:4-5), become wise as God (3:6), and become total independent. Sin has since passed down
to this present age (Romans 5:12).


                                                   FREE WILL
Why did Adam and Eve believe and follow Satan? God had built within mankind "free will." He does
not want robots. Forced behavior is not one of God's attributes. He wants mankind to freely choose
whom he will follow. God commands us to: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that
[you] should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield [you] your members as instruments of
unrighteous unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God...now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:12, 13, 19 [King James Version]1). "...put off, concerning
your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be
renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). It requires some effort on your part -
you have to choose to yield. God has recommended that we serve Him by loving mankind: "For you,
brethren...through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word...'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:13-14). Each commandment was given for the protection of
you, your family, and neighbors.                      

When we don't obey certain physical laws set in motion, we suffer the consequence. By disobeying
laws designed for your protection, suffering and even death occur. Mankind has disobeyed the
natural laws of the universe for centuries. There is always an effect of breaking the natural laws. This
law is based on "cause and effect." The pollution of air and land is a major cause of cancer. Products
made for the household (cleaners), auto products, paints and solvents, and pesticides can be very
hazardous. The chronic effects are liver or kidney damage, central nervous system damage, cancer,
and birth defects.2 There has been some evidence that food additives are linked to cancer.3 Food
containing large amounts of monosodium glutamate (MGS) "cause allergic reactions - headaches,
chest tightness, rashes - in some people.4 Deforestation of forests causes the washing away of our top
soil. According to Collier's Encyclopedia under the heading Forest-Deforestation, "Forest are crucial
to the protection of topical soils, water supplies, and to the moderation of the climate."5 World Book
Encyclopedia also add: "As forest areas decrease...less carbon dioxide is taken up by photosynthesis,
the amounts of carbon dioxide released into the air increases.  As a result, more heat from the sun is
trapped near the earth's  surface instead of being reflected back into space. Many scientists believe
that this 'greenhouse effect' is causing a steady warming that could lead to threatening climate
conditions."6                                                                                                   

Evils also comprise those that are a direct result of our action, "such as excessive desire for eating,
drinking, and love; indulgence in these things in undue measures, or in an improper manner, or
partaking of bad food. This course brings diseases and afflictions upon body and alike...such evils of
the soul as are the necessary consequence of changes in the body, in so far as the soul is force residing
in the body; it has therefore been said that the properties of the soul depend on the condition of the
body."7 By having sex outside of marriage [fornication or adultery] you can catch a venereal disease
or AIDS due to homosexuality. And the girl may get pregnant, causing many other problems. God
has also built within mankind human nature.

                                                 HUMAN NATURE      
Paul said, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God -
through Jesus Christ our Lord!...with the mind I ... serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of
sin [because of human nature]"  (Romans 7:24-25). The results of human sin is death (Romans 6:23).
Only the blood of Christ can wash away sins (Hebrews 9:22,26; Colossians 1:14). The only way you do
not have to pay the death penalty yourself is to accept Christ's sacrifice on the Cross (Romans
10:9,10,13) in your place. There after, you receive the Holy Spirit, which helps you to overcome
human nature (Romans 8:13, 26), the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-21).                                         
                                                 
CHANCE also is connected to free will. It isn't God's will that you get sick, have an accident, or die
from these actions. Thousands of innocent individuals die yearly because of accidents and sickness.
Drunk drivers  kill hundreds of innocent individuals because they choose, due to free will, to drink
and drive. These victims happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sickness and death occur
because of numerous reasons: poor eating habits, low immune system, etc.

                                             DIRECT ACTION OF GOD                        
The third reason involves the direct action of God. It's mostly directed toward Christians for
correction (Proverbs 3:11,12; Hebrews 12:5) or  for the glory of God (John 9:1-7).

                                                  CONCLUSION
According to Moses Maimonides, a well-known Jewish writer during the 12th century, "If men  
possessed wisdom...they would not cause injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of the
truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries. This state of society is promised to
us by the prophet [Isaiah]: 'And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb...the cow and bear shall feed
together...the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp [cobra snake]...(Isaiah 11:9).8

FOOTNOTES:
1) All scriptures are quoted from New King James Version, unless otherwise note

2) Hamburg, Prof. Steven. Principles of Environmental Studies (Evrn 1148 Packet 96). Univ. of Kansas, Spring 1993, p.
21

3) Ibid, p. 11

4) Tennessee, Michael. Making Your Food Safer. Journal-World (U.S.A. Weekend), Jan.1-3, 1993, p. 25

5) Collier's Encyclopedia, Vol,10. New York: Macmillan Education Co., 1992, p. 188

6) World Book Encyclopedia, Vol 7. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 1993, p. 399

7) Moses Maimonides: Selections from the Guide for the Perplexed, p 3

8) Ibid., p 1