Many things we see happening in the world today might make us wonder, is God just or not? We may also ask: is He fair? These are important questions because if we do not know the answers, we may be tempted not to follow Him or be in the Church—because how could we worship someone who allows terrible things to happen? We might mistakenly blame God if we do not know where bad things actually come from, who is in control, and if God’s nature is just and fair.
Who is in Charge of the World?
The first thing we need to understand is who controls the world. People often say that God is in control of everything. But is that true? If He was in control and allowed bad things to happen, God would be the One to blame. And what about free will? Humans have free will and make choices, including things like conflict and war. Are we not responsible for some of the mess we have found ourselves in?
It may surprise some people, but the Bible does not say God controls everything. Instead, it says that Satan is the god of this world. So, it is not correct when we hear it said, “God is in control.”
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV
Adam and Eve were given original authority over this world, but they forfeited their authority to Satan with their disobedience to God. Now Satan has control over this world; therefore, he is the one to blame for evil things happening, not God. As the god of this world, Satan has blinded people’s minds to the gospel, so they do not believe. Although he is to blame for bad things happening to people, he tries to make us believe God is actually to blame. Satan blames God for what he is doing.
The Problem is Who is in Control
Another passage that shows that Satan is in control of this world is Luke 4. In this Chapter, Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. In verse six, Satan offers to give Jesus power and glory if Jesus will worship him. If Satan did not own this world, Christ would not have been tempted by receiving those things. Jesus could have said that Satan did not own anything and that God was in control, and that would have been the end. But these are called the Temptations of Christ, so there must have been power and glory that Satan had the ability to give if Jesus worshipped him.
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4:5-8 KJV
The problem with this world is who is in control, and it is not God. The Church has been given the authority to take back the world, but we have not done the complete job we should have. When we know who is in charge of the bad things happening in the world, we know who to blame.
Where Does Sickness Come From?
The second thing to look at in considering the fairness and justice of God is: where does sickness come from? Many people leave the Church over this question because they say it is unfair that someone became sick or died. Or they question why God did not heal someone they prayed for. This, again, is blaming God for something Satan has done. God did not make them sick; Satan did. Luke 13:16 says sickness came because Satan had bound a woman. And Acts 10:38 says that Jesus went around healing all who were oppressed by the devil. So, from these Scriptures, we know that sickness is a satanic bondage and oppression.
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Luke 13:16 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38 KJV
If we have a disease, God is not causing it. There may be some wrong thinking that we have come into agreement with, but we can come out of agreement with that thinking, and God can heal us today. There may be reasons why people are not healed when we pray for them, but we can take time to understand and find the satanic oppression that is keeping a person bound to their disease so they can be healed. God is not causing sickness; He is the One who brings healing. Understanding that sickness comes from Satan is another key to knowing who to blame.
Healing Comes From God
Additionally, let us look at the life of Job. People often wonder why God allowed bad things to happen to Job. First, Job 2:6 says that the LORD said unto Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand.” It does not say that God was giving Job to Satan; it says that Job was already in Satan’s hand. In reality, God limited Satan from what he could do by saying not to kill Job.
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. Job 2:6 KJV
Looking at the whole story, we can see that Job had problems in his family—his kids were party animals, and his wife told him to curse God and die. In Job’s case, he had a lot of fear about what might happen to his kids, and this is why Satan had access to him. And it is clear from this Scripture that Satan smote Job, not God.
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:5 KJV
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. Job 2:9 KJV
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. Job 3:25 KJV
When we are fearful, we give our rights to the devil for him to access us. This is one area where satanic bondage and sickness comes from because we make that decision to fear. But we can come out of agreement with fear and be healed—this is the good news! And we see later in the story that God turned the captivity of Job and healed and restored him. God was the One who healed him; we must recognize that healing comes from God.
And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 KJV
We Don’t Know Everything
The third thing to remember regarding whether God is fair and just is that we do not know everything. There is a temptation to judge what we see, but we have incomplete knowledge. Every time we judge God, we are judging with incomplete knowledge. If we blame God for what Satan is doing, we are wrong because we do not know everything. The Bible says we know in part right now because we do not have complete understanding.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 KJV
We do not know or understand everything, which is where faith comes in. It is essential to always have faith that God is working it all out in the end. And if there are things we do not know, we can ask God. God knows everything, and He can direct our paths. We must recognize that we do not completely understand all circumstances so we can trust that God is just, no matter what.
Satan Came to Destroy, Jesus Came to Bring Life
A final key to not blaming God for evil is to know that Jesus and the devil never switched places. John tells us that Satan is a thief and he comes to destroy—but Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly. When these two are mixed up, we have confusion. Simply put, Satan came to kill, and Jesus came to bring life.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV
We will do well to remember this verse and help others remember it. Satan has blinded many minds in these last days, but we must get all this straight because time is growing short.
Now is the Time to Return
If you have left the Church or stopped following God because you question whether He is just and fair, it is time to return. The Bible says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Being part of the Church is not a suggestion but a commandment that comes with a blessing. Do you want to bring upon yourself a curse by disobeying Scripture?
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 KJV
When we know who is in control, where bad things come from, and that we do not know everything, we will not blame God for things He did not do. We do not want to wind up not following God or leaving the Church. Now, more than ever, we need to be part of the Church and following God.
God is Fair
Once, when the Israelites were accusing God of not being fair, He responded by calling them out for their unfairness and then showed how He was righteous and fair. God told them they could die prematurely if they committed the same iniquity again. But when they turned from their wickedness, they could save their souls. He told them to take responsibility for their lives and not to blame Him.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ezekiel 18:25-30 KJV
There is always a cause for curses and sickness in our lives. He wants to bless us but cannot do it in our unrighteousness because that would be calling evil good in the name of love. He will not do that; He will judge all of us according to our ways. And if He did not, He would not be just and fair.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Proverbs 26:2 KJV
God is Just
According to Deuteronomy 32:4, God is the Rock, and His work is perfect. It also says that all His ways are judgment, and this word could also have been translated as “just.” (It probably means both judgment and just.) God is of truth and is just and right.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV
God is just in all His ways. When we are tempted to think there is no justice coming, and bad things will keep happening, remember that judgment is part of His nature. It might take time, but we can trust that He will always make things right because He is just and fair.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Psalm 97:2 KJV
Blessings,
Pastor Benny Parish
Bonus! Free Scripture Download on “Is God Just?”:
RESOURCES
Would you like to read more?
What is the Kingdom of God? https://www.beinhealth.com/what-is-the-kingdom-of-god/
Pestilence in the Bible https://www.beinhealth.com/pestilence-in-the-bible/
What the Bible Says About Mental Illness https://www.beinhealth.com/what-bible-says-about-mental-illness/
