QUESTION:
WHAT IS HUMAN EVIL?
ANSWER:
Human evil is the exercise of man’s free will in deliberate rejection of God—resulting in actions that violate His holy will and inflict harm or injustice upon others.
From the blood-soaked pages of history to the quiet corners of our neighborhoods, human evil has revealed itself in ways both horrifying and familiar.
We have witnessed extreme human evil in the two World Wars, where nations rose against nations, unleashing weapons and cruelty that devastated millions. We have seen genocide, not only in one place but in several countries even in modern times, where people were slaughtered simply because of their ethnicity, beliefs, or tribe. We have seen terrorism turn public spaces into scenes of horror. We have seen political regimes carry out mass oppression, starvation, and imprisonment. We have seen the rise of organized crime, drug wars, and human trafficking rings that treat people like merchandise.
History is drenched in wars, torture, slavery, and oppression—proof that human beings are capable of unspeakable cruelty.
But evil is not only found in global headlines or warzones.
It shows up in:
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Murder and rape in cities we thought were safe.
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Human trafficking, where women and children are sold like property.
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Domestic violence, often hidden behind closed doors.
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Broken families, where betrayal, abuse, and unforgiveness tear apart what should be the most loving relationships.
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Jealousy, gossip, revenge, and hatred—common even in ordinary neighborhoods, even in churches.
And worst of all?
Human evil is not merely something out there—it is right here, inside our hearts.
We like to think of evil as something done by others: tyrants, criminals, monsters. But if we’re honest, we must confess that the seeds of cruelty, pride, greed, and hatred live within each of us. The Bible does not say evil is limited to a few—it says,
“There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).
It is a sobering thought: human evil is not surreal—it is real. It is not distant—it is near. It is not only societal—it is personal.
Before we can understand the solution to evil, we must first understand its origin, nature, and scope. That is what we will explore in this article—not from a philosophical point of view alone, but from the timeless truth of the Word of God.
Human Evil : Definition
Human evil is the exercise of man’s free will in deliberate rejection of God—resulting in actions that violate His holy will and inflict harm or injustice upon others.
It is not simply wrongdoing—it is a conscious departure from the authority of God, choosing instead to act on selfish desires, pride, hatred, or fear. Human evil is seen when people willingly ignore God’s commands and trample over the dignity, rights, and well-being of others, whether through violence, deceit, oppression, or indifference.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts… All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
(Mark 7:21, 23)
The Biblical Diagnosis of the Human Heart
If we are to grasp the reality of human evil, we must go deeper than symptoms—we must examine the source. The Bible does not sugarcoat the truth: evil is rooted in the human heart. No amount of education, culture, or legislation can fully restrain it, because the problem is not merely external—it is internal.
1. The Heart Is Evil from Youth
From the very beginning, Scripture describes mankind’s downward spiral into sin. After the flood, God makes a remarkable statement:
“The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” (Genesis 8:21)
Even after wiping out the wickedness of the world in Noah’s day, the human condition remained unchanged. The evil wasn’t just in society—it was in the heart of man, from the earliest years of life. We do not learn to sin—we are born with a bent toward sin.
2. The Heart Is Desperately Wicked
No verse captures the corruption of the human heart better than:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
(Jeremiah 17:9)
The word “desperately” implies incurable or beyond repair. The heart is not merely misled—it is morally sick. And we often deceive ourselves into thinking we are good people simply because we compare ourselves to others. But God’s standard is holiness, and by that measure, we all fall short.
3. The Heart Is Full of Madness and Evil
Solomon, in his God-given wisdom, observes:
“The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live…”
(Ecclesiastes 9:3)
What a description! The human heart is not just inclined to evil—it is filled with it. “Madness” here speaks of moral insanity—doing what is destructive and calling it good. We see this today as society celebrates what God calls sin.
4. Evil Comes From Within, Not Just Environment
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself—who knew the heart of man—declared:
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders… All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
(Mark 7:21–23)
Culture does not create sin; it only amplifies what is already present in the heart. People are not sinners because they commit sins—they commit sins because they are sinners. Sin is not a behavior problem; it is a heart problem.
5. No One Is Righteous
The Apostle Paul summarizes humanity’s condition with piercing clarity:
“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God… there is none who does good, no, not one.”
(Romans 3:10–12)
This is not a minority report on a few bad apples. This is God’s verdict on all humanity. Evil is not confined to mass murderers and war criminals. It exists in every angry thought, selfish motive, lustful glance, and bitter word. We are all guilty.
Human Evil—The Tragedy Behind Our Tragedies
Many people blame God for the pain and misfortunes they experience in life. But often, the heartbreaks we suffer are not the result of divine cruelty—they are the result of human evil.
We live in a fallen world, where people reject God’s ways, act selfishly, and hurt others—intentionally or recklessly. As a result, evil is not just a theological concept—it is something we feel and face every day.
Let’s look at real-life examples to see how human choices—not God—are behind many of the tragedies we endure:
1. A Deadly Car Accident
Someone loses a loved one in a fatal crash. Grief turns into anger at God.
But the truth? A drunk driver, knowing full well the risks, got behind the wheel and killed an innocent person.
This was not God’s doing—it was human evil in the form of recklessness and disregard for life.
2. The Collapse of a Business
A small business owner loses everything and wonders why God would allow it.
But behind the scenes, a ruthless competitor spread lies, poached clients, or manipulated supply chains to force a shutdown.
This was not divine sabotage—it was human greed and sabotage at work.
3. Disease from a Neglected Body
A man blames God for his debilitating illness. But for decades, he ignored warnings, lived in gluttony, smoked heavily, and refused medical help.
The disease was not dropped on him by heaven—it was the result of unwise and self-destructive human decisions.
4. A Broken Family
Children cry to God asking why He allowed their parents to split up. But the marriage was shattered because one parent committed adultery, broke trust, and walked away.
This was not divine judgment—it was the personal sin of betrayal.
5. Abused Children
A child grows up wounded and wonders why God didn’t protect them. But the abuser was a trusted adult who chose to do evil—against God’s will, against the law, and against human decency.
This is not God’s plan—it is the horrific reality of human depravity.
6. School Shootings
Entire communities mourn, asking how a loving God could allow such horror.
But the violence came from a heart filled with hate, often fueled by godlessness, mental illness untreated, or years of unaddressed bitterness.
These aren’t acts of God—they are manifestations of man’s sin and internal darkness.
7. Generational Poverty
Some grow up in hardship, questioning God’s fairness.
But the cycle was often started by irresponsible parents, abusive systems, addictions, or absent fathers, not by God’s design.
Human irresponsibility, not divine cruelty, leads to suffering across generations.
8. Bullying and Suicide
A teen takes their own life. The family cries out, “Where was God?”
But often, the tipping point came from relentless bullying, mockery, or social media cruelty from peers.
This was not God’s failure to intervene—it was the cruelty of others left unchecked.
9. Corruption and Injustice
Entire communities suffer because leaders hoard resources, accept bribes, or neglect justice.
God is blamed for inequality—but it is the sin of power-hungry humans that starves the poor and exalts the wicked.
Human evil in leadership causes suffering God never willed.
10. Churches That Hurt
Some walk away from faith because of what they experienced in church—abuse, control, gossip, or hypocrisy.
God is blamed for the trauma, but the pain was caused by people who misused His name, not by God Himself.
The tragedy came not from heaven but from false shepherds and sinful people within the church.
One Truth That Changes Everything
The painful reality is this:
Many of the tragedies we blame God for are actually the direct result of human evil—our own or others’.
God does not will evil—but He does give mankind the freedom to choose. Sadly, many choose rebellion, selfishness, and harm. And we all suffer because of it.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
(Galatians 6:7)
If you still think human evil doesn’t exist, think again. Unless we first recognize this disease in the human race, we will never arrive at the right solution. Human evil is not just a theological term—it is a lived reality. Within ourselves (and you know this is true), within our families, our churches, our communities, and even our nations, human evil plays a significant role in shaping our world—and even in shaping our pain.
But God is not absent in our pain. He is the One who suffered evil on the cross to save us from it—and He offers hope, justice, and healing for all who turn to Him.
God’s Answer to the Problem of Human Evil
Contrary to what some believe, God is not passive when it comes to evil. He has never turned a blind eye to wickedness—and He never will.
Throughout history, God has shown that He takes evil seriously:
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In Noah’s time, God saw that “the wickedness of man was great” and judged the world with a flood—only Noah and his family were saved.
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Even Israel, His chosen people, were not spared. When they turned to idolatry, injustice, and oppression, God sent them into exile under Babylonian captivity.
But God’s plan did not stop at judgment. He had something greater in mind—not just to punish evil, but to save us from it.
The Cross: God’s Greatest Response to Human Evil
Because He loves us, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the penalty of our sins. The cross was where the justice of God and the mercy of God met.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
Through Jesus’ death, there is forgiveness. Through His resurrection, there is victory over evil.
God’s first move was not to destroy all evildoers—but to rescue the ones willing to repent.
But Judgment Is Coming
There is a future day—a day already set—when God will judge all human evil. Those who rejected His mercy will face His justice.
“He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
(Acts 17:31)
Every unrepented sin, every injustice, every act of rebellion—will be brought to account. And those whose sins are not forgiven will be cast into the lake of fire.
So Why Does God Still Allow Evil People to Exist?
Why doesn’t God stop them now?
Because He is merciful. He is giving everyone a chance to repent.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9)
God’s patience is not weakness—it is mercy. But it will not last forever.
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
(Acts 17:30)
Final Thought: Have You Faced Your Own Human Evil?
Let me ask you: Have you addressed your own human evil? Have your sins been forgiven? (See also: “How Can I Be Forgiven of My Sins?”)
The Bible says:
“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
(Hebrews 9:27)
Are you ready for that judgment? (See also: “How Can I Be Saved?”)
If you are reading this and you haven’t received forgiveness yet—know this:
The Lord Jesus is waiting for you.
Come to Him.
Come now.Tomorrow might be too late.
Don’t let the evil you’ve done—or the evil done to you—be the final chapter.
Let Jesus write your redemption story.
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
(Hebrews 3:15)
If you want to respond to God’s invitation, please follow this link, “How do I Respond to God?”
