Evil in the World, Why?

24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Matt 13:24-30 (NLT)                                                           

It is often hard to watch the news or even look at the headlines as they flash by on our computer or phone screens and we wonder why a just God could allow such things. I know I myself have often wondered it in the past and even occasionally still now. Yet Jesus left us this parable that helps us to understand why. First and foremost this parable is about the coming judgment and the separation of that which is pleasing to God and that which offends Him. Scripture gives us assurance that while evil has its time here in this world it will not survive to the next. He allows it to continue only because if he removed it before it would upset the balance and bring harm to those who are the good seed. I know that might seem like a stretch but how many times have you seen the death of a loved one drive people away from God. The same would be if God removed every person who belongs to the devil right now mainly because some of them are people we care about and love and they have  not accepted Jesus yet you see they are in that crowd of tares that will be burned up. How any times have you seen someone come to Christ because of something bad happening in their lives? We know that God uses all things good and bad to direct our paths sometimes we are just to hardheaded to follow the easy path and He allows trials to come our way. Like the bit in a horse’s mouth He can use them to direct us back where we belong.

By the way Jesus explained it himself:

 36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed.38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world.41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Matt 13:36-43 (NLT)

Like I said He has a plan. Have a blessed day and may the Lord spare you from evil and keep your mind and body safe from the devil.