Does God Cause Evil Things to Happen?

by Karen Jensen Salisbury | Articles, Christian Living

globe pandemicThere’s a lot going on in our world today, isn’t there? And sometimes we can get confused about what comes from God and what comes from the devil.

Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “If God is so good, why do so many evil things happen?” They think God might be responsible for the evil things – like Coronavirus. In fact, insurance companies even call things like hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes “acts of God.”

But that is completely wrong! So where do the bad and evil things originate?

The place to look for that answer is the Word of God – it always has our answers. And John 10:10 clearly shows us what comes from God and what comes from the devil:

“Jesus said, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.”

So that’s how you tell where evil originates: if there is any killing, stealing, or destroying going on, it was the devil, not God!

None of us can trust someone if we think they are causing or allowing the pain, destruction, or loss in our life. You must settle it in your heart, once and for all, that God is good, He has a good plan for you, He loves you, and you can trust Him.

God knows that it’s hard for humans to trust someone they can’t see, or someone they’ve only heard bad things about all their lives. But He wants you to know you can depend on Him. There are a lot of scriptures in the Bible that say the “Lord is good” – here are just a few:

  • Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
  • Psalm 100:5 – For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
  • Psalm 135:3 – Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
  • Psalm 145:9The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.
  • Jeremiah 33:11 – Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever…
  • Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
  • Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.
  • Read More…
    globe pandemicThere’s a lot going on in our world today, isn’t there? And sometimes we can get confused about what comes from God and what comes from the devil.

    Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “If God is so good, why do so many evil things happen?” They think God might be responsible for the evil things – like Coronavirus. In fact, insurance companies even call things like hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes “acts of God.”

    But that is completely wrong! So where do the bad and evil things originate?

    The place to look for that answer is the Word of God – it always has our answers. And John 10:10 clearly shows us what comes from God and what comes from the devil:

    “Jesus said, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.”

    So that’s how you tell where evil originates: if there is any killing, stealing, or destroying going on, it was the devil, not God!

    None of us can trust someone if we think they are causing or allowing the pain, destruction, or loss in our life. You must settle it in your heart, once and for all, that God is good, He has a good plan for you, He loves you, and you can trust Him.

    God knows that it’s hard for humans to trust someone they can’t see, or someone they’ve only heard bad things about all their lives. But He wants you to know you can depend on Him. There are a lot of scriptures in the Bible that say the “Lord is good” – here are just a few:

    • Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
    • Psalm 100:5 – For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
    • Psalm 135:3 – Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
    • Psalm 145:9The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.
    • Jeremiah 33:11 – Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever…
    • Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
    • Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

    That phrase is in the Bible over and over because it’s true – God is good! And when you begin to know and understand that truth, then you can trust Him with all your heart. He’s not causing the evil things happen — He is good to you every day, all day. You can trust Him.

    Copyright © Karen Jensen Salisbury Ministries
    All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Karen Jensen Salisbury has been in ministry for almost 30 years, and a writer for almost 40. She and her first husband, Brent, traveled as itinerant ministers, and also pioneered two churches in the Northwest.

In 1997, upon Brent's unexpected death, she became Senior Pastor of their church in Boise, Idaho. She raised their sons, Josh and Ryan, through their teenage years into young men on fire for God.

Karen was an instructor at Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma from 2005 to 2014. In March of 2014 she married businessman Bob Salisbury, and they live in Minneapolis. Now in addition to writing books, Karen travels across the U.S. and overseas, sharing what she has learned about the faithfulness of God through good times and bad.

Her teachings and writings have influenced the lives of hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Her humor, her never-give-up attitude, her love for God and her strong stand on His Word will bless and inspire you.