Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans?
Habakkuk 1:5 - 11
ESV - 5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Habakkuk 1:5-11 is a prophecy in which God relates His intention to raise up Babylon, a "ruthless" and "dreaded" nation, to achieve His purpose. This raises the question, Does God sometimes use evi...
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James Kraft
Supporter
When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they were doing it for evil, but God used it for good. Joseph later saved his family from starvation as second in Egypt next to Pharoh. Yes, God can make good come out of evil. God’s ways are not our ways and our ways are not God’s ways. Jesus died a horrible death to pay the sin debt of everyone in the world. First John 2:2, so that anyone who would accept his free gift would be saved from hell. John 3:18, Romans 6:23
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
This is really a good question. How could the holy God, for whom it is impossible to tolerate wrong (Hab. 1:3-13), use these wicked people for the fulfillment of his purposes? I don't know for sure, but it is possible God used the sarcasm of the mockers who observed Christ on the cross. It is possible that their sarcastic “He saved others!” may have encouraged the one thief to trust Him. The thief may have reasoned, “If He saved others, then He can save me!” So God uses even the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10). Yes, I believe God can use even our sarcasm (evil), at least the sarcasm of unbelievers for His purposes! https://bethelchurchmuncie.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/wiersbe-commentary-new-testament.pdf
Mark Vestal
Supporter
Satan is the god of this present evil world (2 Cor 4:4, Gal 1:4). Our God is not manipulating our daily circumstances during the current dispensation of the grace of God (Eph 3:2). God allows temptation to exist, but also offers an escape from its power (1 Cor 10:13). We choose which path to follow by our the free will God gave us (1 Cor 6:12, 1 Cor 10:23). Yes, God is in control of all things, and He chose to allow Satan to reign over earth for the time being. This truth is easily seen today. Evil acts are a result of man falling into Satan's influence through temptation (Eph 2:2, Eph 6:12). God knows that man will never outrun sin in this present evil world, which is why we need a savior. The only person righteous enough for God was Jesus Christ (Rom 3:26), and it's our belief in His finished cross-work that makes us the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Our belief that Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins (1 Cor 15:3), was buried, and rose again (1 Cor 15:4), so that we may have everlasting life (Rom 6:22, 1 Cor 15:22), is the only requirement for salvation today (Eph 2:8). Believers today are members of the church, the body of Christ (Col 1:24). God now sees Christ in us, and not who we see when we look in the mirror! It is of utmost importance to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), the gospel of our salvation (Eph 1:13), that was given to Paul, from the gospel given to biblical Israel when studying the bible. Jesus, while living, and the 12 apostles were for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which is not you or I (Mat 10:5-6, Mat 15:24). Our apostle Paul received the revelation of the fellowship of the mystery from Christ ascended (Eph 3:9), which was before kept secret since the world began (Rom 16:25). Had this mystery information been known prior to Christ's death, the princes of this world would not have crucified our lord and savior Jesus Christ (1 Cor 2:8). When you’re a passenger in a vehicle, you have faith that the driver will safely get you to your destination. Jesus Christ is our driver, our ‘spiritual vehicle’ (Rom 5:10, Rom 8:32), and the Holy Spirit is our 'seat-belt' (Eph 4:30), that seals our souls until the day of redemption (Eph 1:13)!
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
My perspective on this question is slightly different. Does God use evil? No! God does not use evil, he reacts to evil. He even allows evil. But his reaction to the evil is always either a judgment (which some might call evil but is always just) or a path to overcome the evil. John 3:16-17 NIV: [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. He also sent prophets to warn His people to repent from evil to avoid judgment! I believe His will is and always has been that we live without evil. Satan introduced evil into the world. There was immediate judgment, but also mercy. He didn't use the evil even though He knew it would come. He had already from the beginning of time planned a way out from that evil! God gets angry when evil abounds and His reactions might sometimes look like he is using that evil to accomplish His will, but remember His will is for no evil. He created mankind with a free will (in His image). He also created Satan with a free will. He did not create the evil, He just prepared for it!
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