Why Is There Evil in the World? And What Is God’s Plan to End It?

What is the origin of malevolence in the world, and how does the divine intend to eradicate it?

If you’ve ever looked around and wondered why the world is so broken, you’re not alone. We’ve all felt that sting whether it’s watching the news, experiencing personal loss, or just wrestling with the quiet battles no one else sees. The Bible doesn’t shy away from this question. In fact, it’s woven through every page: Why is there evil in the world? And if God is good, what’s He doing about it?

Let’s walk through this story together, from the very beginning.

The Origin of Evil: A World That Was Good

In Genesis, the Bible paints a breathtaking picture of creation. God spoke the universe into existence, and after each act of creation, He looked at it and said, “It is good.” There was no death, no sickness, no hatred,only life, peace, and perfect relationship between God and humanity.

God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, giving them freedom, purpose, and one clear command: do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It wasn’t an arbitrary rule; it was a choice. God gave humanity free will—the ability to choose love or to turn away from it. Love that is forced isn’t real love at all.

Then came the great turning point.

Satan, the deceiver, appeared in the form of a serpent. He whispered doubt into Eve’s heart: “Did God really say…?” He promised that eating the forbidden fruit would make them like God. Eve ate. Adam ate. And with that choice, sin entered the world like a disease.

It wasn’t just a bad decision; it was a cosmic fracture. Humanity chose to define good and evil on its own terms, apart from God. That’s the root of evil: separation from the source of all that is good. And it wasn’t just a problem for Adam and Eve,it infected everything. Death, suffering, injustice, and pain became part of human existence.

A Broken World in Need of Rescue

From that moment on, the world has lived under the weight of sin. Every headline about corruption, every tear shed in grief, every act of violence—they all trace back to that original rebellion.

Yet even then, God didn’t abandon us. Right there in Genesis 3:15, God gave the first glimpse of hope: a promise that one day, the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. Evil would not win forever.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see God working through broken people to prepare the way for redemption. He made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, each one building toward the fulfillment of His rescue plan. The prophets spoke of a coming Messiah who would bear our sins and heal our wounds.

The Cross: God’s Answer to Evil

Then, in the fullness of time, God Himself entered the story.

Jesus Christ,the Son of God,came into our broken world, not with an army, but with a cradle in a manger. He lived the perfect life we could not live. He healed the sick, loved the outcasts, confronted injustice, and proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom. And then, He did the unthinkable: He allowed evil to do its worst to Him.

On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of sin and evil. He took our punishment upon Himself, offering forgiveness to anyone who would believe. It looked like evil had won. But three days later, the grave could not hold Him. Jesus rose from the dead, forever defeating sin, death, and Satan.

The cross was not just a way to forgive sins,it was the cosmic victory over evil. As Colossians 2:15 says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

The World Now: In the “Already But Not Yet”

You might be wondering: if Jesus defeated evil, why does it still seem so strong?

The Bible teaches that we are living in the tension of the “already but not yet.” Jesus has already won the decisive victory, but evil has not yet been fully removed. It’s like a snake that’s been fatally wounded but still thrashes around.

Today, God is at work through His Spirit, calling people to Himself, bringing healing, justice, and glimpses of His kingdom. Every act of kindness, every stand for truth, every soul that turns to God is a part of this unfolding story.

Yet we still wait for the final chapter.

The End of Evil: A New Heaven and New Earth

The Bible tells us that one day, Jesus will return. Not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering King. Revelation 21 gives us a breathtaking vision of that day: a new heaven and a new earth, where God Himself will dwell with His people. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Evil will be fully and finally destroyed. Satan and all forces of wickedness will be judged. Every injustice will be answered. Every broken heart will be healed.

God is not just patching up the old world. He is making all things new.

Our Part in the Story

So where does that leave us now?

We are invited into the story. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to live as lights in the darkness, to embody His love, truth, and justice while we wait for His return. Evil is real, but it is not ultimate. God’s plan is moving forward, and His promises are sure.

When the weight of the world feels too much, remember this: evil has an expiration date. Jesus has already written the end of the story, and it is glorious.

So we live with hope, with courage, and with our eyes fixed on the One who has overcome the world.

Genesis 3:15

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

2. Colossians 2:15

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

3. Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”