Why Do We Have Many Evil People Around?

I was at a retreat some weeks back and during the sharing period, someone asked this question; Why do we have many evil people around? He was worried that society was not getting better and it appeared that those who have brazenly chosen to do evil might be the ones who are having headway in life. Do you also share this sentiment?

This person felt angry and discouraged. The retreat master explained that it was an age-old question and it was also a question he himself demanded an answer to. But the retreat master did not leave us without some answers. Before I attempt to impress on any answer, I would ask you, do you share the same worry about evil in the world? Do you have an answer for the proliferation of evil? In fact, another question that usually arises from such recollection is; why is there even evil in the world? Would a good God cause evil? I would ask, does anyone really know?

Most of my responses would reflect on what the bible shares with us. Before I continue I wish to stand on the grounds that we actually have more good people than evil persons. The only challenge is that one rotten egg can spoil the whole crate. Just as a rotten apple can spoil the whole lot. Hence, it is the activities of a few bad people who spoil the lot or who negatively affect the image of others. One good example; is when they say Nigerians are corrupt, what percentage of the over 200 million have actually acted corruptly? You need only one troublesome child to set the house ablaze… if you get my point. Every other member is good but one child has changed their narrative.

I would explain further, have you ever been at the traffic junction patiently waiting to follow the traffic rules/direction and then some fellow comes from behind and drives past without observing the rule? And if the driver is not cautioned or it appears that he would go scot-free without being cautioned or punished, many other drivers find the courage to break the traffic rule. The point here is that it took one driver to break the rule. One driver amongst the whole lot. He is the evil egg that has spoilt the lot.

Another challenge is that because he was not cautioned it created more challenges in the system. More drivers had the courage to break the law. Once evil is allowed to fester for long without being put into check it grows and creates more havoc.

I use the analogy of the driver considering my local environment and the ideal in any environment where everyone tries to keep the law but they are encouraged to break the law when the bad eggs are not reprimanded for violating the law. This must have been your experience in school: in Secondary School or college/university. But does this answer why we have many evil people around?

The Bible would always be a point of reference on how and why evil entered the world and how evil has proliferated ever since. Let’s look at some points:

1. The Fall of Man in Genesis: eating the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. Evil knowledge is acquired by man. Man was created for love and obedience to God’s will but is now in a conundrum of choosing good or evil. Genesis 3: 1-24
2. But before man gathered this knowledge, Eve was tempted by a snake to do evil. The snake (the tempter), introduced evil to Eve: encouraged falsehood, and introduced disobedience. This is why disinformation is great evil!
3. And again, the snake was only able to introduce/encourage evil because the bible tells us that Satan (being represented by the snake) had fallen from Heaven to Earth. Satan is the corrupter, the tempter, and the accuser. He fell with other angels. Jesus confirms this as he explains the devil/satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy. in another verse, that the enemy seeks to plant evil in the world. Isiaih 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12: 7-17; Genesis 6:1-7; John 10:10; Matthew 13: 39
4. Then the proliferation of evil; which is understood as the desperate attempt for man to seek a different will which is against the will of God and leads to man’s destruction in the end. This is showcased by the need for the flood… the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 6:1-7; Genesis 18:16-33; Genesis 19; Numbers 16:1-35

From the above we have seen the source of evil which is the devil; the point of access of evil in man which is disobedience to God’s will; the reason devil plants evil into the world which is to bring destruction; the reason for the proliferation of evil which is the desperation of man towards evil and the weakness or laziness of man to follow good or God’s will.

Moreover, some other points above points us to situations where God takes drastic actions to sanitize a failing world or population. And even in different accounts in the book of Exodus and Numbers, God does not hesitate to destroy or punish the children of Israel or the other nations for their sins. At this point, I feel for God, as he says the heart of man is desperately wicked. Genesis 6:5-7; Jeremiah 17:9-10 Would God keep destroying the evil with good people? For a moment pause and have a recollection, what is the nature of your heart? Would you have wanted God to act instantaneously for your faults?

Why Evil Still Exists

In Matthew’s gospel Chapter 13, we are greeted with special points about why evil exists still. How evil came into the world and why it still exists. Jesus uses some salient points to reveal to us that God desired and intended goodness. God has planted good seeds but the enemy has come in the night to plant bad seeds. Matthew 13: 38-39 The parable of the weeds amongst wheat shows us that it is the desire of God to allow both the good and evil seeds to grow together and mature before the separation takes place. In the parable, the farmer is cautious to preserve the good seeds while they sprout. Matthew 13:27-30

In the same chapter, in the parable of the Sower who broadcast his seeds along the way, only the seeds that find fertile ground end up yielding a bountiful harvest. Hence, the parable shows us that good seeds (people) may often not do well because they are lazy, distracted, or weak. Note here that these are good seeds that have the propensity to flourish. Good people, wherever they are have the propensity to flourish but they often allow the systems surrounding them to determine their outcome. Matthew 13: 19 – 23 But, the point is, there are many good people who allow evil to thrive because they choose to do nothing.

The good seeds who find good soil produce a bountiful harvest. We have many good people in society. The only challenge is many are lazy, distracted, or weak. Yet, we have good seeds who survive the challenges of the evil seeds in their company. They stay resolute till the end and achieve their reward.

Do not be discouraged by the happenings in the society. We are to focus on the kind of stock/breed we are. We are good seeds and it is God’s will we be fruitful and multiply. Like the parable of the sower, the good seeds that fall on the fertile soil yield bountiful harvest. In Genesis 1:28, immediately after the creation of man, God immediately mentioned His intention, purpose and desire for man. Which is; Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ 

The picture seems to be clearer now, even for me. Know your purpose, as God would tell and encourage Jeremiah, my plans for you are that of good… God created us out of love for a purpose, for us to be fruitful and take charge of the earth. But the enemy’s plan is to kill, steal and destroy. The purpose of weeds amongst plants is to choke them and starve them of nutrients. But the plants survive and yield much harvest. Are you going to survive and yield much harvest or are you entertaining an infertile surrounding for you to fail?

I must confess that I am still entertaining knowledge on why there is much evil in the world. But the few points above have given me some guidance on the need to stay focused and hold unto what is good. It is God’s desire that we are good. He created us for a good purpose. God expects us to be fruitful and have dominion over the earth. It is not God’s intention for evil to have dominion over the earth. it appears that evil thrives or dominates because many good people do nothing. This is because many good people are lazy or lackadaisical about promoting goodness. The rise of evil in society is promoted by a few evil persons who know that good people are willing to compromise.

Evil dominates because evil men are comfortable with the weakness of good people. Yes, evil people live side by side with good people; only waiting for judgment day! To be continued…