The problem of evil is a serious challenge to the defense of Christianity. Actually there are many problems  relating to evil, for example, the problems about its origin, nature, purpose, and avoid ability.

The problems of evil can be divided among moral, metaphysical & physical {If I get a opportunity I will try to cover all of these}.

Although every world view has to deal with the problem of evil, it is an especially acute problem for theism. Of the three major worldviews, Atheism affirms the reality of evil & denies the reality of God. Pantheism affirms the reality of God but denies the reality of evil. Theism affirms the reality of both God & evil. Herein is the problem; how can an absolute good Being {God} be compatible with evil, the opposite of good?

As compared with other worldviews that affirm both God & evil, theism would seem to be in  more disadvantageous position. Finite godism, for example, can claim that God desires to destroy evil but is unable to because he is limited in power. Deism, likewise, can distance God from evil by stressing that God is not immanent in the world, at least not supernaturally. We are on our own. And for panentheism evil is a necessary part of the world {his body}.

The problem for theism is that not only believes God is all - powerful and could destroy evil, but he is all - loving & should destroy it. Further, the theistic God is all - knowing & created this world fully aware of what would happen. What is more, God created the world freely {I may be able to go & discuss Creation, View of later on depending on time} so that he could have done otherwise.

It is in the context of this kind of theistic God that we approach problems of evil

An absolute good God cannot creates evil. Nor, would it seem, can a perfect creature give rise to imperfection. Whence, then, evil? The problem can be summarized:

• God is absolutely perfect.
• God cannot create anything imperfect.
• But perfect creatures cannot do evil
• Therefore, neither God nor his perfect creatures can produce evil.

The basic elements in the theistic response to this problem are found in Augustine & Thomas Aquinas. Theists since then have followed the contours of their thought. Both agreed on the response that can be stated as follows.

1. God is absolutely perfect.
2. God is created only perfect creatures.
3. One of the perfection's God gave of his creatures was the power of free choice.
4. Some of these creatures freely chose to do evil
5. Therefore a perfect creature caused evil.

Freedom in itself is not evil. It is good to be free. But with freedom comes the possibility of  evil.

So God is responsible for making evil possible, but free creatures are responsible for making it actual.

Of course, other questions attach to this free choice solution to the origin of evil. One is, what caused the first creature to choose evil?

Theist distinguish between the primary cause of a free action {God} and the secondary cause { a human being}. God gave the power of choice. However, God is not responsible for the  exercise of that free action for us. Human free choice is not not a mere instrumental cause through which God works. Human beings are the efficient, albeit secondary, cause of their own free actions.

God produces the fact of free choice, but each human performs the act of free choice. God then is responsible for the possibility of evil, but we must bear the reasonability fo actuality of it. God neither wills evil to be done, nor wills it not to be done. He wills to permit evil be done & that is good - If He didn't then we wouldn't be free to act as we like, but would be somehow programed to do or perform someone else's choice or actions.

But if God cannot will evil, then what is the cause of it? No action can be uncaused, since this violates the first principle of causality that demands that every event has a cause.

To respond to this question we need to unpack the nature of the free choice. There are three basic views of the nature of free choice: In determinism, a free act is caused by another: In indeterminism, it is uncaused, and in self - determinism it is caused by oneself.

Determinism would eliminate human responsibility, since another caused the action, not ourselves.

Indeterminism is irrational, since a fundamental rule of reason is that every action has a cause. It follows, then, that every free choice must be self caused.

Of course, a person uses the power of free choice to make free choices. However; the person is NOT free choice. He simply HAS Free choice. It is wrong to say I AM FREE CHOICE; I Simply have Free choice. So I am the efficient cause of my own free actions, but the power of free choice is the  means by which I freely act.

There is another dimension to this difficulty. What is the nature of evil? that is, what is the  essence of identity of evil? this too, is a particularly pesky problem for a classical theist {we need to go deeper in to this also - lest see how much time I can muster & may be I can go into Classical Apologetics - please don't push me to hard - just getting in first :-)) }.

For God alone is eternal, and everything he created was good. What then is evil?

Theists reject dualism. Evil is not a coeternal principle outside of God. For not all opposites like good & evil are first principles. This wrongly assumes that just because something can be essentially good {God}, something can be essentially bad. But once dualism is rejected, one has great difficulty explaining the reality of evil, if evil is not something outside of God, and it cannot be anything inside of God, then what is it?

The problem can be summarized this way:

• God is the Author of everything.
• Evil is something.
• Therefore, God us the Author of evil.

Neither is acceptable to a theist. What, then is the solution? To agree that God did not create all things is to deny his sovereignty. To say evil is nothing denies reality. However, to admit that  God caused all things & evil is something is to acknowledge that God caused evil - a conclusion rejected by Aquinas. But this conclusion seems to follow logically from these premises. Unless one rejects the Truth of one of the premises, he must accept the truth of the conclusion.

The theist responds that evil is not a THING or Substance.

Rather it is a LACK or privation of a good thing that God made. Evil is a deprivation of some particular good. The essence of this position is summarized :

1. God created every substance.
2. Evil is NOT a substance {but a privation is a substance}.
3. Therefore, God did NOT create evil.

Evil is a wound in a arm or moth - holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not IN itself.

[Personally, a moth is a good thing, it only becomes bad when it eats some one cloths. So what we need to do is PROTECT our cloths from moths attack. Same applies to us humans PROTECTING ourselves from the devil by applying the use of the Greater one in us - that is GOD!! When w e ask God into our heart - devil will FLEE as he does NOT LIKE GOOD - he only likes to corrupt the good. SO USE GOD as your defence & life will be that much easier. Yes, I know - what about suffering? I will cover that later on in this post, so please read on.]

It is important to note that a privation is not the same as mere absence. Sight is absent in a stone as well as in a blind person. But the absence of sight in the stone is not a privation. Absence of something that ought to be there. Since the stone by nature ought NOT to see, it is not deprived of sight, as is the blind man. Evil, then is a depravation of some good that ought to be there. It is not mere negation.

{Like with us humans - we OUGHT to have God Living IN US as it was initially intended with Adam & Even until the SPIRITUAL umbilical cord was severed when Adam & Eve sinned. Luke tells us in Luke 17: 21b that Kingdom of God is IN US as that is where GOD DESIRES to be - John  14: 15- 24 - please pay close attention to verse 23 where Jesus tells us that HE & HIS Father WILL make their home with us. This happens when we OPEN the door to Jesus as per Rev. 3: 20 & then jesus Gives us the Authority to be called children of God - John 1: 12.}

To say that evil is not a thing, but a lack in things, is not to claim that it is NOT real. Evil is a real lack in good things, as the blind person knows only so well. Evil is not a real substance, but it is a real privation in good substance. It is not an actual entity but a real corruption in an actual entity.

Evil as privation comes in different kinds. There are physical privations, such as mutilations & there are moral privations, such as a sexual perversity. Privation can be in  substance {what something is} or in relationships {how it relates to others}. There are not only bad things but there are bad relations between things.

A relationship of LOVE is good one; hate is an evil one.

Likewise, when  a creature worships the Creator it relates well; blaspheming the Creator is an evil relationship.

From this perspective, it follows that there is no such as something that is totally evil. If it were totally deprived of all good, it would be nothing. A totally rusty car is no car at all. And a totally moth - eaten garment is only a hanger in a closet. Evil, like a wound arm means the person is maimed.

In view of this, something cannot be totally private, at last not in a metaphysical sense. A totally corruption being would not exist at all. And a totally incapacitated will could not make any moral actions. One must take care not to carry human depravity so far that one destroys the ability to sin. There cannot be a supreme evil, for although evil lessens good; it can never totally destroy it. Nothing can be complete, unmitigated evil. For if all goo were entirely destroyed - & this would be required for evil to be complete - good, would no longer be there.

The fact that evil cannot be in total in a metaphysical sense by no means implies that it cannot be totally in a moral sense. A being can be totally {or; rationally} depraved morally in the sense that evil has invaded every part of being. But the moral total depravity can only be extensive, not intensive. It can extend to every part of a person's being, but it cannot destroy personal being. If it destroyed one's person, there would no longer be a person to do evil. Total evil in this sense would destroy a person's ability to do evil.

Classical theists describe things in terms of their four causes: {1} efficient; {2} final: {3} formal; {4} material. A human being had God as  the efficient cause, God's glory and their good; as  the material cause, a soul as formal cause & a body as  the material cause.

However, since evil is not a  substance, it has no moral cause, and its material cause is a goo substance.

1. Efficient Cause - Free choice.
2. Final Cause - None. Evil is the lack of order.
3. Formal Cause - None. Evil is the privation of form.
4. Material Cause - A good substance.

There is another aspect of the problem of evil. Why does God allow it? Even if he did not produce it, he does permit it. Yet, he is all - powerful & could destroy it. SO why doesn't he do so?

The classical way to state the problem of the persistence of evil is this:

1. If God is all goo, he would destroy evil.
2. If God is all powerful, he could destroy evil.
3. But evil is not destroyed.
4. Therefore, there is no such God.

Is it possible to destroy evil? The theist responds as follows:

1. God cannot do what is actually impossible.
2. It is actually impossible to destroy evil without destroying free choice.
3. But free choice is necessary to a moral universe.
4. Therefore, God cannot destroy evil without destroying this good moral universe.

Even an omnipotent being cannot do anything. He can only do what is possible. But it is not possible to FORCE people to freely choose the good.

Forced freedom is a contradiction. therefore, God cannot literally destroy all evil without annihilating free choice. The only way to destroy evil is to destroy the good of free choice. But when there is no moral free choice, then there is no possibility of moral good. Unless hate is possible, love is not possible. Where no creature can blaspheme, no creature can worship. Therefore, if God were to destroy all evil, he would have to destroy all evil, he would have to destroy all good too.

However, theism holds that even though God could not destroy {annihilate} all evil without destroying all good, nevertheless, he can & will defeat {overcome} all evil without destroying free choice.

The argument can be summarized as follows:

1. God is all good and desires to defeat evil.
2. God is all powerful & is able to defeat evil.
3. Evil is not YET defeated.
4. Therefore, it will one day be defeated.

An all  - powerful God could, for example SEPARATE good persons from evil ones according to what persons chose freely.

Those who LOVE GOD Will be separated from those who do not. Those who desire the good but are hindered by evil will no longer have their good purpose frustrated. And those who do evil are hampered by good influences will no longer be nagged by the prodding's of good.

Each whether in heaven of hell will have it according to their free choice. In this way God's victory over evil would not violate free choice. {SO Choose one way or the other & God WILL GRANT YOUR WISHES}

Not only CAN a theistic God defeat evil, but HE WILL DO IT. we know this because he is ALL Good & would want to defeat evil. And because he is  app - powerful & is able to defeat evil. Therefore, He will do it. The guarantee that evil will be overcome is the nature of the theistic God.

No evil is good, but some evil has a good purpose. Warning pains for example are painful, but there painfulness has a god purpose. Of course, not all evil seems to be of this type. What, then, of evil which seems to have no good purpose? The problem ca be summarized as follows.

1. An all - good God must have a good purpose for everything.
2. There is no good purpose for some suffering.
3. therefore, there can not be an all - good God.

The theistic answer to apparently purposeless evil is fourfold. First, God has a good purpose for everything. Second, we do know a good purpose for much evil. Third, some evil is a by - product of good. Fourth, God is able to being good out of evil.

The anti theist overlooks an important distinction: God knows a good purpose for all evil, even if we do not. Simply because finite minds cannot  conceive of a good purpose for some evil does not mean that there is none. Since God is omniscient he knows everything. And since he is ominbenevoulent, he has a good purpose for everything. hence, God does know a good purpose for all evil, even if do not know it:

1. An ominbenevoulent God has a good purpose for everything.
2. There is some evil for which we see no good purpose.
3. Therefore, there is a good purpose for all evil, even if we do not see it.

The Purpose for much evil is known by us. In spite of the fact that we do not know everything, we do know something. And what we do know is that there is a good purpose for much evil. Warning pains have good purpose. In fact, the ability to have pain has a good purpose. For if  we had no nervous system we could destroy ourselves without even feeling any pain. Also, physical pain can be a warning to save us from moral disaster.

As A. C. Lewis noted, "Pain is God's megaphone to warn a morally deaf world." And if we as finite beings know a good purpose for much evil, then surely an infinite Mind can know a good purpose for the rest.

Evil is sometimes a by product of a good purpose. Not every specific evil needs a good purpose. Some evil can simply be a necessary by product of a good purpose. the early bird gets the worm, but the early worm gets eaten. What is life for higher forms is death for lower forms.

Plants & animals dies sp that man may have food to live. thus, evil results indirectly from good because ii is the consequence of a good purpose. hence, the response by this way:

1. God has a good purpose for everything he does.
2. Some good purpose have evil by - products.
3. Therefore, some evil is a by - product of a good purpose.

So many good things would be missed if God did not permit evil to exist. Fire does not burn unless air is consumed. neither just retribution is inflicted nor patience is achieved, but for the evil of tribulation.

Of course, God is all - powerful and he is able to redeem good even from evils. A drowning person may inspire acts of bravery. Although sawdust is an unintended by - product of making lumber, it can be salvaged to make paper. Likewise, God in his providence is able to redeem much {if not all} good out of evil by - products in the world. God would in no wise permit evil to exist in his works unless he were so almighty & so good as to produce even from evil.

That does not mean that this present world is the best of all worlds. It means that God has made it the bets possible way to attain his ultimate goal of the greater good. God man not always redeem good out of every evil by - product in a fallen world. this could be true in both the physical & the moral realm. Like radioactive waste, some evil by - product may resist reprocessing. Indeed, in view of the second law of thermodynamics, the physical world is decaying. But God has the power to recreate it {Cf. 2 Peter 3: 13 - which reads "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him."}.

 Human death can be overcome by resurrection {ch. Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 15}. Neither of these is any problem for an omnipotent God, yet for us humans causes many difficulties. For example - when a child or children get murdered, drowned etc. They are so evil to us {God does not approve of Murder - he just allows it to happen} - yet the By Product of it all is this: Those children are with God in His Heavenly Kingdom - yet to us humans  as parents this loss is so hurtful. Evil happened - yet something even better is the by product for the children.

The above solution to the problem of evil do not appear to solve the problem of natural disasters. Why tornadoes, hurricanes, & earthquakes? It does not suffice to say that free will of creatures caused all these. Further, many innocent people are killed in them. How, then, can natural evil be explained. In Logical form:

1. Moral evil is explained by free choice.
2. But some natural evil does not result from free choice.
3. Natural evil cannot be explained by free choice of creatures.
4. Hence, God must be responsible for natural evil.
5. But natural evils cause innocent suffering & death.
6. Therefore, God is responsible for innocent suffering & death.

Likewise, proposition 6 is mistaken, since, it implies God is morally culpable for taking the life of a creature. This is a category mistake, since it wrongly assumes that, since it is wrong for a  creature to take innocent life, it is also wrong for the Creator to do so. But God gave life & ALONE has the right to take it {cf. Deut. 32: 39; Job 1: 21}.

We did not give life, and we do not have the right to take it.

Premise 3 is definitely untrue. For theism can explain all natural evil by reference to free choice. In biblical language, the free choice of Adam & Eve brought natural disaster on this world. In addition the free choice of evil angles accounts for the rest of human suffering. But even putting this possibility aside, which could in itself explain in reference to human free choice.

• Some suffering is brought on directly by our own free choice. the choice to abuse my body can result in sickness.
• Some suffering is brought on indirectly by free choice. The choice to be lazy can result in poverty.
• Some physical evil to others can result from our free choice, as in the case of spouse or child abuse.
• Others suffer indirectly because of our free choice. Alcoholism can lead to poverty of one's children.
• Some physical evil may be a necessary by - product of a good process. Rain, hot air, and cool air are all necessary for food & life, but the bye product of these forces is a tornado.
• Some physical evil may be a necessary condition for attaining a greater moral good. God uses pain to get our attention. many have come to God through suffering.
• Some physical suffering may be a necessary condition of a greater good. Just as diamonds are formed from under pressure, even so is character. {We Love diamonds don't we? It supposed to be women's bets friend :-))  - Then there are fringe benefits for those who give diamonds to ladies :-))))))) }
• Some physical evil is a necessary concomitant of a morally good physical world. For instance, it is good to have water to swim & boat in, but a necessary concomitant is that we can also drown in it. It is good to have sex for [procreation & enjoyment, even though it makes rape possible. It is good to have food to eat, but this also makes dying of food poisoning possible.

the problem is that while no angel can die of food poisoning, neither can they enjoy a prime rib. WHile no angle has ever drowned, neither has any angle ever gone for a swim or went water skiing. No angel has ever been raped, but neither has any any angel enjoyed sex or the blessing of having children {Matthew 22: 30}.

In this kind of a physical world, we simply must take the concomitant  evil along with the good.

Eventually, of course, Christian theists believe God will redeem us from all physical evil too, giving us immortal & incorruptible bodies. But if we had those  before we were morally ready for them, we would not have the necessary moral progress toward being suited to them.

If God knew evil would occur, when did he create it? God was free to create or not to create. Why did he choose to  create a world he jew would fall? As I have said earlier - theists believe God is all knowing, all good, and free. As all - knowing, God foresaw evil. As free, he could have avoided creating the world. But this conflicts wit God as all - good, for such a God must have had a good purpose for creating a word he knew would fall. Why then did he create it?

There were other better alternatives open to God - yet He chose this action - shows us that there was a purpose for it. He could have take a choice of NOT creating it ro the world where no sin could occur, or he could have created a world where his creation didn't choose to sin. He could have created a world where sin occurred but everyone was saved. Any one of these worlds would have been better than the world conceived by the orthodox Christian theist, where evil occurs & where not everyone will be saved in the end - for me to go into all these aspects here is not possible, but I will try to cover some of these topics in HELL - ANNIHILATIONISM - UNIVERSALISM in another pages.

1. God could have chosen a better alternative by: {a} not creating at all: {b} not creating a free world; {c} creating a free world that would not sin; {d} creating a world that sinned but all would be saved.
2. But God did not choose one of these better alternatives.
3. Therefore God did not do his best.
4. But to do less than his best is an evil for God.
5. Therefore, no all - perfect God exists.

A NON World is not better than some world.

Nothing is not better than something  ---- this is a classic category mistake -- SOMETHING & NOTHING have nothing in common, so they cannot be compared. It is not even like comparing apples & oranges, since they both are fruit. It is like comparing apples & NON - APPLES, insisting that non - apples taste better.

A non free world is normal world, since free will is necessary for morality. A non moral world cannot be morally better than a moral world. Since a non free world is not a moral world, there is no moral basis for comparison. This too is a category mistake.

A free world where no one sins & then gets saved is conceivable but it may not be achievable { there is nothing to be saved from}.  As long as everyone is really free, it is always possible that someone will refuse to do the good. Of course,, God could force everyone to do good, but then they would not be free.

Forced Freedom is NOT freedom at all. Since God is Love, he cannot force Himself on anyone against their free will. Forced Love is NOT Love, IT IS RAPE. And God is not a divine rapist. Love must work persuasively but not coercively. hence, in every conceivable free world some one would CHOOSE to do evil, so a perfect evil - free world may not be possible.

A world where sin never materializes is conceivable but it may not be the MOST DESIRABLE morally. If evil is not permitted, then it can not be defeated. Like automobiles, a tested world is better than an untested one. Or, to put it another way, no boxer can beat an opponent without stepping in to a ring. God may have permitted evil in order to defeat it. If evil is not allowed, then the higher virtues cannot be attained. No pain no gain.

Tribulation works patience.

There is no way to experience the joy of forgiveness without allowing the fall into sin. So, a world where evil is not defeated and the higher goods attained would not be the best world achievable. therefore, while a world where sin does not occur is theoretically conceivable, it would be morally inferior.

Hence, no anti theist can show that God did not create the best world, even given the privation of good. This, of course, does not mean that the theist is committed to the belief that this present world is the best world that can be achieved. God is not finished yet, and Scripture promises that something better will be achieved.

The theist's presumption is that this world is the best way to the best world achievable.

There are many sources that the above information is derived from - the best book that summarizes them all is  "baker Encyclopaedia of Christian Apologetics - by Norman L. Geistler.

"So satan went out from the presence of the Lord & afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his foot to the top of his head. Then  Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes." JOB 2: 7 - 8 NIV

Book of JOB is the best inspiration for me, as it always gives me hope when Life becomes difficult to bear. How about you??

Faithfulness to  God does not guarantee freedom from trouble, pain & suffering in our lives - Like Paul when he arrived in Rome Acts 28: 1 1- 17. Paul had done nor harm to anyone, yet he was placed alone with a Roman guard to guard him - Poor soldier. Talk about an opportunity to minister Jesus to him.

There are many times in our lives when we feel alone - hurt - etc, Yet God is always there. We should be like Paul & Job when things get rough - humble ourselves & THANK God for these times so that HE can lead us out of this terrible time.

Jesus actually teaches us that we are to expect trouble in our lives John 16: 1 - 4 - Verse 4 is so explicit when jesus says "I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.."

Yes, I know many cults use this & few other verses to show that they will be persecuted etc etc. The thing is - that Trouble comes to us & we don't go looking for it, while many cults teach their recruits that they should go & Look for it & then when it comes Leaders are proven correct.

Jesus' words teach us that we know that when we TALK ABOUT HIM when confronted with the subject of Christianity we know in advance what to expect.

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3: 12 this: "In fact, EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Please note the words very carefully - "EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO" It doesn't say - everyone who is told to live - but everyone WHO WANTS TO - that makes it a personal choice & NOT forced on by some other human.

Believers experience suffering as an ongoing consequence of the fall of Adam & Eve. When sin entered the world, pain, sorrow, conflict & eventual physical death invaded the lives of all human beings - as well as Spiritual separation from God the moment Adam ate that fruit.
Gen 3: 16 - 19

Paul affirms this: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and this way death came to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5: 12.  Please note that sin entered through MAN & NOT Women as he was considered the head of the unity of two.

In fact, the whole created universe groans under sin's effects and yearns for the time of a new heaven & a new earth {Romans 8: 20 - 23; 2 Peter 3: 10 - 13}.

Because of this what we need to do is to cats ourselves on God's grace, strength & comfort {Cf. 1 Cor 10: 13} Which states this: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will NOT let you be tempted beyond what you can beat. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

In Isaiah 1: 18 we read this: "COME NOW, LET US REASON TOGETHER, Says the Lord."

So Go to Him as he says & He will NOT let you down.

Unbelievers suffer for the same reason that believers do - the Old saying - "A man reaps what he / she sows" - Galatians 6: 7!~! God can not be mocked - therefore the person who sows to please his human nature - than from that human nature he will also reap. The person who sows to please the SPIRIT Will REAP from the Spirit - which is Eternal life. Gal 8: 9 {paraphrased by me}.

If we drive our cars recklessly, we may get into serious accident. If we are undisciplined in our eating habits we are likely to have serious health problems. God may use such suffering as a means of discipline, that we may achieve "A HARVEST Of  Righteousness & Peace" {Hebrews 12: 3 - 11;}. Lets see verse 5 & 6 "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, & do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, & he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

We Should always act in wisdom & in accord with God's Word, and we must avoid whatever will remove us from protective care. In 1 Cor 5: 1 - 5 - Paul tells us that we shouldn't worry to much about the flesh as long as the SPIRIT IS SAVED. Yes, I know that is a hard thing to swallow when we are in physical pain - BUT what is the lesson/s that we can learn from that pain is the important point. Please remember that we are in this physical form for a short while many live only till they are 80 years & few to 100 etc - BUT ETERNAL LIFE with Christ what we are seeking - so Look & Think towards ETERNITY & not just now.

There are many anguishes that we believers go through,  we get mocked by everyone who is not a believer & many times our own families stick it up us just because we place God first & NOT any ORGANIZATION. What we need to do is to demonstrate HIS VICTORY over sin's power.

We suffer at the hands of devil & Scriptures make it quiet clear that he is the god of this age { 2 Co. 4: 4}; he controls this present evil age 1 John 5: 19. But we also know that anyone who is born of God {Baptized by the Holy Spirit - John 3: 3 - 7} does  not continue to sin {willingly} & we who are born of God are kept safe BY Jesus & devil can NOT harm us. Devil has power over us ONLY IF WE LET HIM have power over us.

Where God permits devil to tempt us - he in no way can have our sprit unless we allow him that power. Just like Job - his physical body went through so many torments - but he did NOT allow devil to have his spirit - Just study Job 27 & see what he says about things he will NOT do.

Jesus Himself tells us that women He healed had been bound by satan for 18 years - Luke 13: 11, 16. Paul recognized that the thorn he had in hs flesh was "a message of satan who was tormenting him" 2 Cor. 12: 7.

As we engage in SPIRITUAL Warfare against "the powers of darkness" {Eph. 6: 12} we will inevitably suffer adversity. In order to deal with such assaults, God has given us spiritual armour to protect us - Eph 6: 10 - 18 {see verse 11} & Spiritual weapons 2 Cor 10: 3 - 6.

What we MUST DO IS to don this spiritual armour of God & Pray, resolving to persevere faithfully in HIS Strength.

Satan & his followers delight to persecute believers. Those who love the Lord Jesus and follow His principles of truth & righteousness will be persecuted for their faith. In fact, such suffering because righteousness may be an indication of pour genuine devotion to Christ [See Matthew 5: 10 & 1 Peter 4: 12 - 19}.

Since all believers are called to suffer persecution & reproach  because of righteousness, we must stand firm & keep on trusting him who Judges justly Matthew 5: 10 - 11; John 5: 22 - 23; 1 Co. 15: 58; 58; 1 Peter 2: 23}.- If that is bit to hard to swallow - May be this will help! Believe in Jesus Christ & You will be saved as Luke writes in Acts 4; 12 & 10: 43 & 16: 31 - Then when some one comes up to you & asks you are you a Christian {that is a BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST & that he is YOUR LORD & GOD just as Thomas called him in John 20: 28 & NOT A JW or Mormon etc etc } --  SAY YES. If they start mocking you - just bless them & go on!! Leave the rest to those who God has called to TALK to them - Like myself & others who have this kind of ministry.

Another reason why we suffer is that we have the mind of Christ {1 Cor 2: 16}. To be a Christian means to be IN Christ, to be ONE WITH HIM; as a result we share in His Sufferings {1 Peter 2: 21}. For example, just as Christ wept in agony over the wicked city of jerusalem and their refusal to repent & accept salvation {Luke 19: 41}, so we are to weep over humanity's sinfulness & looseness - See Paul's list on this also { 2 Cor 11: 23 - 32; 11: 23,} - in those passages Paul's daily concern was for the churches he established {that is individual people & NOT one big building}.

Such inwardly or mental anguish so to speak for those who we love In Christ should be a natural part of our lives as we want them to come to Christ also; "Mourn with those who mourn" {Rom. 12" 15}. In fact, sharing in Christ's suffering is a pleasure for me & some ministers say that suffering is a prerequisite for being glorified with Christ.  I am not sure about it being a prerequisite, but I do consider it a pleasure to be able to suffer as He works in me through my humility & that way HE brings others to Himself. I find it extreme pleasure that Jesus would use a sinner like myself to achieve HIS WILL. AMen to that.

We MUST Thank God that just as He SUffered for us on the cross & died for our sins so that we can be with Him in His kingdom, so that we can have comfort in HIM - {2 Cor. 1: 5}.

God may / does use suffering in our lives as a catalyst to SPIRITUAL growth of Change. He often uses suffering to call his straying people to REPENT of their sins and  RE - NEW their / our faith & trust in Hi..

We Must confess known sin & anything that we may not remember right now & place it all in front of God so that He can do His wonders in our lives. that way He does examine our lives & He HELPS US to Live in HIM & HIs Comfort. Through sufferings OUR FAITH In Christ becomes more mature {Deut 8: 3; 1 Peter 1: 7}. God uses suffering not only to strengthen our faith in HIm, but also to help us to GROW in Christian character & righteousness.

According to Paul & James God wants us to learn patience through suffering {Rom. 5: 3- 5; James 1:3}. In suffering we learn to depend less on ourselves & more on God & His Grace {Romans 5: 3 & 1 Co. 12: 9}.

We SHould & I will say we MUST use our experience of pain to  ENCOURAGE & STRENGTHEN Others, may that be believers or those how are not so that one day they MAY turn their life to Christ also. That is a hard thing to do at times - but His YOke is easy so go to Him for help.

God can & does use suffering of the righteous to further the cause of His Kingdom & His plan of redemption. For example, all injustice that Joseph went through or experienced at the hands of his brothers & the Egyptian were part of God's BIGGER Plan which was "To preserve for you a remnant on earth & to serve your lives by a great deliverance" Gen 45: 7.

The prime example of this is what Jesus went through - HE LEFT HIS Heavenly Kingdom - became a babe like you & me. had to wear a nappy. been fed at women's bosom, be toilet trained, etc etc, Then He had to endure ALL the humiliation of being whipped, wear a crown of thorns, be NAILED through His hands & feet with 6 inch nails, hang on the cross which he had to carry to HIs place of crucifixion, DIE For you & BE resurrected so that WE can Be with HIM in His Kingdom for ever & ever - {that is a long time}. --  THAT IS ONE LOVING GOD - Folks.

None of us can go through that as we are NOT eternal like HE IS!! SO just Give Thanks & ask Him - WHAT is the purpose of your suffering & HOW can you serve Him better.

Please remember that GOD does NOT allow devil to tempt us BEYOND what we are capable of handling or bearing {1 Cor 10: 13"

God has promised that he will bring GOOD out of all sufferings & persecution of those who love him & obey his commands {Romans 8: 28}. Joseph recognized this in his own life of sufferings Gen 50: 20, & the author of hebrews shows how God uses the painful; [arts of our lives for our growth & benefit - Hebrews 12: 5.

In addition, God had promised to stand by us in our pain, to walk with us "through the valley of his shadow of death" {Ps. 23: 4; Isaiah 43: 2}. he does so by HIs Holy Spirit who comforts us in all our troubles {2 Cor. 1: 4}. To each of His children He sends sufficient grace so that they can bear the trials of life {1 Cor. 10: 13 & 2 Cor 12: 9}.

Please do not forget that Jesus shares your pain. When we pray to Him, we have a sympathetic high priest who Himself experienced the various dimensions of trials and sufferings {Hebrews 4: 15}. He indeed "took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows" {Isaiah 53: 4} there is healing for our sufferings through the sufferings that he bore on our behalf {Isaiah 53: 5}.

We do have victory of personal sufferings. Things to remember is that we need to address an important issues when experiencing trials & afflictions. Here are few ideas s to what we can do to overcome those torments.

We need to consider various reasons why we humans suffer - we have covered that above - then we need to apply those reasons to our own situation & HOW they apply to us. When we find the point that is causing us the most hurt, we need to fix that part of our life first & then the next etc. There are few suggestions above as to how some of those may be taken care off.

Believe that God cares deeply for you, regardless of how severe your circumstances are { see Romans 8: 36, 2 Cor 1: 8 - 10; James 5: 11, 1 Peter 5: 7}.  Where for some next few sentences my be of extreme pain as your circumstances my vary to others or my personal pain, just remember that we all can obtain comfort in Jesus.

A Faithful believer in Jesus Christ & NOT any organization or man / women, by living in obedient fellowship with Jesus Christ & being Loved by Him {to the best ability at the time of trial}, than that person may yet undergo experience that involve danger, fear & despair, and may encounter circumstances that weigh one down beyond the human power of endurance.

When we are faced with sever troubles & when they occur in our lives, we need not feel that God has forsaken us or has stopped loving us. Rather, we must remind ours elves that these very things happened to God's faithful servants also.

God does allow or permit these things to happen so that Christ night come near &, as we look to him in faith, give us the grace to bring us to victory { See 2 Cor 2: 14; 12: 7 - 10; 13: 4}

There are events that happen in our life that we do not understand or WHY ME God syndrome, especially if it happened in our young life - Like sever beating, rape, fear was thrown down our throat etc.  There is no way that I can cover all or any your personal disappointments or torments etc. right here, except to say this: If God Zapped the person out of their existence when that person was committing a crime against you, then God would allow FREE Will to that person, yes, that may not be a comfort to you now nor when it happened.  BUT, please remember this: When you did a similar thing by super imposing your will over another human being {no matter what that may be} then God would have to zap you also.

You see, to God a little white lie is just as sinful as a rape. This may not be of much comfort to you now, but that is the truth.  Our Human justice is not on the same level as God's justice & where we do not understand it - God will met out His justice to all who do not come to Him. That is why Hell is there. for all those who do not repent & turn to God for salvation will meet their Just Judge & their time in hell will not be a pleasant one as they will be there for eternity. I will cover this more on my page on hell.

Turn your life to God in earnest prayer & seek his face. Wait for Him UNTIL he delivers you from your affliction { Ps 27: 8 - 14; 40: 1 - 3;130.

Expect God to give you the grace necessary to bear your affliction until deliverance comes [ 1 Cor. 10: 13; 2 Cor 12: 7 - 10. Always remember that " we are more than  conquerors through Him who Loved us" Romans 8: 37 & John 16: 33 & Jon 3: 16. the Christian faith lies not in the removal of weakness and suffering, but in the manifestation of divine power through human weakness { 2 Cor 4: 7}.

Please read God's word - especially those Psalms that give comfort in times of affliction - Psalm 11; 16; 23; 27; 40; 46; 61; 121; 125; 138.

Seek Revelation & discernment from God regarding your particular situation - through Prayer, Scripture, or counsel f godly mature believer who understands what you have gone through & NOT just some pretenders who have had NO training in those matters. That is so important - seek those who UNDERSTAND & not just those who say they do but their words or actions don't support it.  Your healing is of the utmost importance first & foremost, so seek the one who can heal your spirit, God.

I hope & trust that you have different view on Suffering & Evil now. You don't have to agree with what is written in this page & others, but it is true. Choice is yours if you want to turn your life to God or continue in your own way & keep on doing your thing.

Just remember that when things get tough doing it YOUR way - DO NOT BLAME GOD, but accept responsibility for your own actions.