Lie #5: It [Evil] Must Be God's Will

This lie closely resembles Lie #4 but approaches the matter slightly differently. It is often embraced by those who hold a distorted view of God—misunderstanding His character and nature.

While Lie #4 focuses on what God does or does not do, Lie #5 targets God’s very nature and essence. In Lie #4, we clarified that although God is not the author of evil, He may at times withhold His good. God may allow blessings to be withheld or calamity to occur in order to fulfill His purposes. But is this truly His desire? Absolutely not.

What is "will"? A person’s will refers to their conscious intent or volition—the desire to act or to see something happen.

So, what is God’s will? Let’s examine Scripture to see how it aligns with this claim:

• John 6:40: That everyone who believes in the Son may have eternal life.

• 1 Timothy 2:4: That all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

• 1 Peter 2:15: That we do good to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18: That we give thanks in all circumstances.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3: That we are sanctified and abstain from evil.

• Romans 12:2: That we discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect.

• 2 Peter 3:9: That no one should perish but all should come to repentance.

• Hebrews 13:20-21: That we do what is pleasing in His sight through Christ.

• Jeremiah 29:11: That His plans prosper us, not harm us—to give us a future and a hope.

• Micah 6:8: That we act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

• James 1:5: That He gives wisdom generously to those who ask.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13: That He provides a way of escape when we face temptation.

• Matthew 18:14: That no little one should perish.

• Psalm 37:23-24: That He holds us up when we stumble.

• Revelation 3:20: That He abides with those who welcome Him.

• James 1:13-16: That He does not tempt anyone with evil.

• Ephesians 5:17: That we are wise and make the best use of our time in these evil days.

• 1 John 2:16: That nothing worldly—lust or pride—comes from Him.

• James 1:17: That every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

• Ephesians 1:10: That all things are united in Him.

• Ephesians 1:11: That we receive an inheritance through Him.

Even hell is not God’s will for humanity. Scripture clearly states that hell was created for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41). As the verses above demonstrate, God’s will for everyone is inherently good, not evil. In every situation, God’s will is good.

Do bad things happen against God’s will? Yes, they do—for all the reasons discussed previously. But even when bad things occur, God’s will remains unchanging and always good.

CHRISTIANS RECEIVING PERMISSION FOR SOMETHING LESS THAN GOD’S GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL

There are times when believers may experience or receive things that fall short of God’s perfect will. Romans 12:2 reveals that God’s will can be described as good, acceptable, and perfect. To discern and walk in His will, our minds must be renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit. When we align our thoughts and desires with His, we gain the ability to clearly understand His good, acceptable, and perfect plan for our lives.

However, when we allow our fleshly desires to influence what should be spiritual—when we prioritize our own will over God’s—we lose the ability to discern and follow His will. In such cases, God may allow it because He has given us free will and does not force His desires upon us. Yet, His ultimate desire is for each of His children to walk in His good, acceptable, and perfect will, so they can experience the fullness of His blessings.

Stepping outside of God’s perfect will can lead to consequences. It’s important to remember, though, that these consequences are not part of God’s will; they result from choices made apart from His guidance.

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This brings us to the conclusion of this series. Thank you for journeying with me this far.

Every day, we face countless lies from the enemy that we must stand against. Let us always remember that God’s Word is our greatest tool for overcoming these lies. Commit to studying His Word and use it to your advantage as a powerful weapon against the enemy's schemes.

Nourish Your Spirit