“I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I, the Lord, do all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7
Bible Verses About God Creating Evil
The Nature of God’s Creation
We often find ourselves in awe of God’s creation, perceiving the beauty and order in the world around us. Yet, in Scripture, we also see that God creates both good and evil. This duality helps us understand that God’s sovereignty encompasses all aspects of existence, inviting us to trust in His ultimate purpose. Even when we encounter darkness or evil, we can find comfort in knowing that God has a plan that surpasses our understanding. His wisdom is profound, and He sees the bigger picture that we may not grasp. We are reminded that His creations, including circumstances that we view as negative, contribute to our growth and reliance on Him.
Isaiah 45:7
“I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I, the Lord, do all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7
Amos 3:6
“Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?” – Amos 3:6
Isaiah 54:16
“Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.” – Isaiah 54:16
Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” – Proverbs 16:4
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.” – Job 2:10
The Purpose Behind Evil
As believers, we often question the presence of evil and suffering in our lives. The reality is that God has a purpose, even when we cannot see it. God uses the existence of evil as a means to develop our character, deepen our faith, and lead us towards His truth. In facing trials and hardships, we are molded into stronger individuals with a closer relationship with Him. Let us not forget that even in difficult times, our dependence on God is shaped and refined. God desires for us to seek Him in all circumstances, which allows us to grow closer to Him.
Romans 5:3-4
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
James 1:2-3
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” – James 1:2-3
2 Corinthians 12:9
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
1 Peter 1:6-7
“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
Psalms 119:71
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” – Psalms 119:71
The Balance of Free Will and Evil
God gave us free will to make choices, which in turn introduces the potential for evil. This freedom is a powerful gift, allowing us to choose love and goodness or to stray from God’s truth. With our freedom, comes responsibility. As believers, we can choose to reject evil and embrace righteousness. Each day, we are called to seek God’s guidance so that our choices align with His will. We must be intentional in nurturing our relationship with God—because exercising our free will in the right way allows us to bring more of His light into the world.
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.” – Deuteronomy 30:19
Proverbs 1:29-30
“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.” – Proverbs 1:29-30
Galatians 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
Romans 1:28
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” – Romans 1:28
1 Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Understanding God’s Sovereignty Over Evil
It is comforting to know that God’s sovereignty remains unchanged, even in the face of evil. He is in control and His plans for us are for our good, regardless of the trials we encounter. When temptations arise, we can rest assured that God never leads us to sin but rather allows us to grow through our experiences. Acknowledging God’s power over all things allows us to find peace during chaos and trust in His divine plan. Let us continue to look for His presence even in the darkest moments of our lives, remembering His love guides us through.
Psalms 76:10
“Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” – Psalms 76:10
Psalm 145:9
“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” – Psalm 145:9
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Job 1:21
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:21
Psalms 139:16
“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” – Psalms 139:16
The Hope Beyond Evil
Even though evil exists, we have an unwavering hope in Christ. He overcame sin and death, offering us redemption and life everlasting. In facing struggles, we can look towards the promise of a new life where evil has no hold. As we endure trials, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the hope we have in Jesus. His victory over evil encourages us to stay faithful, knowing that ultimately God triumphs. As we walk in faith and trust, we remind ourselves and others that hope is always present, regardless of the shadows of evil we may face.
Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
1 John 5:4
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
2 Timothy 4:18
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – 2 Timothy 4:18
Finding Strength in Trials
When faced with evil or trials in our lives, we find solace in the presence and power of God. He provides us with the strength to persevere through adversity. When we lean on Him, our faith deepens, uniting us even closer with our Creator. We are not called to face challenges alone; God walks beside us, offering support and encouragement. Through prayer and scripture, we can find healing and the courage needed to confront the difficulties that arise. Remember that when we are weak, God’s strength is revealed, allowing us to rise above our circumstances.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 40:29
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” – Isaiah 40:29
2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalms 46:1
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the existence of evil, we can find peace in our understanding of God’s role in creation. He allowed the potential for evil as part of His greater plan for us. We are reminded that trials can lead us to a deeper faith, shaping our character and building our dependence on Him. Through our free will, we have a choice to choose good over evil, aligning our lives with God’s truth.
The sovereignty of God reassures us that even through darkness, He remains in control. Our hope is anchored in Christ, who triumphed over all evil, giving us the strength to endure. In our struggles, we look to Him for support and comfort. Let us strive to remain faithful, knowing that God’s love and grace sustain us even in our hardest moments.
We encourage you to explore more topics such as the fall of Lucifer and the nature of temptation found in James 1:13-18 . Take heart in knowing that through our faith and love for Him, we can navigate any challenge that comes our way.