Most of us at one point or another have thought, “Why is the world so evil?” Why does it seem to get worse all the time? If we study our Bible, we know the answer, of course. This world is going to continue to spiral into wickedness until the return of the King of the Universe. (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:12) It’s not a surprise, and we know Satan is the mastermind behind men’s illogical pursuit of self-destruction.
But why don’t men see where their evil pursuits are leading? It’s obvious when one is looking from the outside in. Such lawlessness and debauchery are unsustainable. To reject truth creates a foundation of shifting sand on which no one can stand. (Matthew 7:26-27; Psalm 11:3) Why are they so blind? (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:18)
God wants everyone to come to faith in Him. (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9) As the only omniscient being, He also knows many will reject Him. Still, he sent His Son to die on our behalf, offering salvation to all, knowing only a few would be saved. (John 3:16; Matthew 7:13-14) He never stops demonstrating His glory and calling sinners to Himself. (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20) So, why is the world so evil? Why don’t they take Him up on His offer of salvation? It’s not God’s fault they refuse to repent. He’s given them everything they need to be right with Him. (Acts 17:30-31)
Most people still choose to follow their lusts and desires. (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:3) They don’t want what God offers because they are lovers of self, seeking only to fill the desires of their flesh. (2 Timothy 3:2-4; Philippians 3:19) They are boastful and proud and cannot give up their sense of self-importance to serve another. (James 4:6; Proverbs 16:18) God’s patience is beyond our imagination, but reject Him enough and He will give you the exact life you desire: a life without Him.
Paul was direct in explaining why there is so much evil in this world. He said because people see the proof of God in creation and hear the truth of His gospel, yet refuse to repent, the Lord delivers them over to the cravings of their hearts. (Romans 1:24) He delivers them over to degrading passions (Romans 1:26) and over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. (Romans 1:28) In a nutshell, this world is evil because men refuse to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ. Thus, he gives them the world as it would look without His eternal grace and mercy. He gives them the world we have today.
Why is the world so evil? It’s because men reject the Author of life and choose to follow the father of lies. (Acts 3:15; John 8:44) Left to their own devices, they get what they want and what we all deserve. They get a world without boundaries and without providence. That’s the world we see and the world we live in as temporary residents. (1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20)
We suffer for a little while now, but all these trials will end in Jesus giving us glorified bodies to live with Him forever in Heaven. (Romans 8:18; Philippians 3:20-21) That’s a deal I’ll take every time. This world is evil and will pass away, but we need not worry about that. (1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:10-13) We, the redeemed, will spend eternity in paradise with our King. (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:3-4) There will be no more evil and no more sorrow. That is good news in a dark world.