The Root of Evil

When you know the Creator, you understand the creation

Have you ever seen the movie "Lord of the Flies?" It is a film about a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island during a war, who descend into savagery and violence when they are left without adult supervision.

God warned us that apart from Him, we cannot bear good fruit. Instead, we produce the works of the flesh—sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things.

"The acts of the flesh are obvious... I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." – Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV)

Without our Father’s nurturing care, protection, truth, and love, we turn against one another—sinning, fighting, warring, and even killing. We are like those children in the movie "Lord of the Flies," and God warned us of this.

The Problem

Over eight billion people—like children—live in a dark world ruled by Satan, searching desperately for love, truth, meaning, identity, care, protection, peace, and comfort—things only God can truly give. Yet they seek these in a world that cannot provide them.

This emptiness drives us to grasp selfishly at one another, becoming greedy and self-centered in a futile attempt to fill the void God left behind. Meanwhile, Satan works tirelessly to keep us in darkness—fueling hatred toward God or even disbelief in His existence.

Many people struggle with the evil in the world and conclude either that there is no God or that if God exists, He must be evil. But if God truly is loving and yet allows evil, it’s because we are viewing things through a human, limited perspective.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. – Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

We demanded independence, and now that chaos has followed, we want God to rescue us. But God’s plan isn’t simply to save us from this world’s troubles—He wants to save us from ourselves and this broken world to offer us a far better future. He’s trying to rescue us from the illusion that we can live without Him.

Imagine if Santa Claus came and magically fixed all our problems here—then we would never learn, and worse, we’d never want to leave this world behind. What kind of loving parent allows a child to make mistakes and then swoops in to clean up every mess? That child would never grow or learn responsibility.

God is not trying to turn this prison into Disneyland—that’s Satan’s deception. Instead, God is trying to wake us up to the reality that this world will one day be destroyed. If we don’t turn back to Him, the curtain will be pulled away from this false paradise, revealing that it only leads us straight to Hell.

The Way Back to Life

The root of evil is not God—it is the result of our choice to live without Him. In our quest for independence, we stepped away from the only source of life, truth, and love. And apart from Him, the fruit of our lives became chaos, suffering, and death.

But even in our rebellion, God’s love has never wavered. He uses the brokenness of this world to wake us up—to help us see that we were never meant to live without Him. He’s not only willing to rescue us; He already made the way through Jesus Christ.

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." – John 14:6 (NIV)

This world will not last. Its false comforts, empty promises, and temporary pleasures will fade. But God offers us something far greater: eternal life in His presence, peace that cannot be shaken, and a love that never ends.

Summary

  • Evil exists because humanity chose to live apart from God, not because God is evil.
  • Without God’s guidance and love, we descend into selfishness, chaos, and destruction.
  • The “works of the flesh” show what life produces when disconnected from the Creator (Galatians 5:19–21).
  • People seek truth, peace, and meaning in a world that cannot give what only God can provide.
  • God allows us to experience the consequences of rebellion to help us realize our need for Him.
  • Satan deceives the world with false hope, comfort, and independence from God.
  • The only way back to life is through Jesus Christ, who restores our connection to the Father (John 14:6).
  • This world will fade, but God offers eternal life, peace, and unshakable love in His presence.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13