The Problem of Pain, Suffering & Evil Judges 6:13

The Problem Reasons for Suffering The Answer

The Problem A) Bible Examples 1) Gideon Judges 6:13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. Destroyed crops, took livestock “left no sustenance for Israel” vs 4

The Problem A) Bible Examples 2) Job 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. Wife – “curse God, and die” 2:9

The Problem A) Bible Examples 3) The New Testament James 5:10-11 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

The Problem B) Two Fold Problem If God is all powerful and all loving then pain, suffering and evil should not exist Since pain, evil and suffering exist then God is not all powerful (He cannot stop pain and suffering), all loving (God simply does not want to stop pain and suffering or does not care) or God does not exist

The Problem B) Two Fold Problem 1) God Is All Powerful Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The Problem B) Two Fold Problem 2) God Is All Loving I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. I John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Why does pain, suffering and evil exist?

The Problem C) The Explanation 1) God’s creation Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

The Problem C) The Explanation 2) God’s greatest desire for us Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. In order to fulfill God’s greatest desire for us (to love Him), He created us with free will God did not create pain, suffering and evil, we decided to disobey Him Adam & Eve – Sin Adam – sweat of his face – Gen 3:19 Eve – pain in child bearing – Gen 3:16

Reasons For Suffering 1) People make wrong decisions I Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Sexually transmitted disease, unwed pregnancy, drug abuse

Reasons For Suffering 1) People make wrong decisions. 2) Others make wrong decisions. Shootings, murder, rape, etc… someone else’s actions I want the freedom to choose, but not others?

Reasons For Suffering 1) People make wrong decisions. 2) Others make wrong decisions. 3) Previous generations. Cattle in Hindu countries, crops in Africa

Reasons For Suffering 1) People make wrong decisions. 2) Others make wrong decisions. 3) Previous generations. 4) Natural laws. Walking in front of a car (Gravity, force) If God suspended natural laws to avoid accidents we would have chaos Natural Disaster

The Answer A) Suffering Can Be Beneficial Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.   Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Heart Attack, cancer, etc… (body gives signs something is wrong)

The Answer B) Jesus Christ – Greatest Answer Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The Answer C) Jesus Christ – The Only Answer John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. I Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

The Answer C) Jesus Christ – The Only Answer I Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.