Why is there so much evil in this world? Why do good people suffer? Why all this carnage and murder in our nation? Why so many wars around the world? Why? I heard this statement recently; “What lies behind something you can’t explain, is something you can explain.” That “something” we can explain is the devil, “the serpent of old” (Rev. 20:2), he is at work in this world.
The devil lost his effort to overthrow God, and “was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Rev. 12:9). John tells us that “the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8).
Jesus “appeared” in this world, overcame the devil’s temptations, and by His resurrection overcame death, Satan’s greatest tool. Jesus destroyed “the works of the devil,” and gave the world good over evil, healing over suffering, peace over anxiety, love over hate, hope over despair, life over death. With Christ in your life you can “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jms. 4:7). It is hard to make sense of the things we see on the five o’clock news. But I can know that those who do such evil things are “of the devil.” That I can explain.
-Dennis Doughty
