Does Evil Exist?
Reflections on Mandalay Bay.
“Don’t let evil conquer you but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21
Does evil exist? So much ink has been spilt on this topic, and it is easy to talk about the existence of evil in an academic way, until you—or someone close to you—experiences it up close. Then it is not so academic.
It’s personal.
When the shooting at Mandalay Bay happened several years ago, I had more questions than answers. “Who was this guy? What was his motive? Did he act alone? Apparently, it was well-planned, but why did he do it? Was there some kind of pay-off involved” …and the questions went on and on. One answer that I did have immediately was that, yes, evil does exist.
Many of these same questions arose after 911. Why would they do something this evil? Why does all the planning, dollars, and risk to destroy so many lives?
When our kids were younger and still at home, we all played in a band and toured different parts of the world. In 2002 we were returning from a European tour and had a stopover in Zurich, Switzerland. I had seen the impact that 911 had had on air travel in the US, and it appeared that this was true for Zurich as well. I asked the person who helped check our baggage for the flight: “Has 911 changed the way you operate flights in Zurich?” She said “911 changed the way everyone flies everywhere.” Evil has left its mark: the security measures that were put into effect persist, as a reminder of that day.
And while the questions linger for this inexplicable horror in Mandalay Bay, so does the pain for those who lost loved ones. “How could this have happened?” For most of us, the thought of planning—let alone following through on—this kind of evil is unthinkable. But here we are.
What motivates people to commit acts of evil? The word for evil in Hebrew has the idea of being broken into pieces; to be made worthless; offensive. The word melds together the act with its consequences. Or, as Forrest Gump might say, “Evil is as evil does.”
Mandalay Bay is a reminder that this world is not the way it is supposed to be—in other words, it is not the way God intended it. Evil is alive and it has one goal: destruction.
The scripture describes the mystery of evil in the opening chapters of Genesis. In the original family, a sibling, Cain, is jealous of the perceived preference of his brother, Abel. Aware that Cain is succumbing to evil, God meets with Cain and asks him:
“Why are you so angry…Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:6–7).
Sadly, Cain opens the door and gives way to evil. He plans, then follows through on these plans, by murdering his own brother. I can only imagine the weeping and anguish his parents and other siblings felt as they experienced evil through their own family members. “Why? Why would you do this?”
While the motive for evil is baffling, one thing is certain: it won’t last forever. The scriptures tell us that one day we will experience what Adam and Eve experienced in the paradise of the garden—only this time it describes paradise in a city with many, many people. Paradise found.
Between now and then, Jesus gave us a remedy for the evil at work in our world. Here is how he described it to his followers:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43–45 NIV).
This is game-changing. While it may seem rare in our world, there are people actually living this out. They are quiet, unassuming people. Raising their families, working to try and make ends meet; loving others with a love that is, in many ways, inexplicable…apart from Jesus. This is the first taste of what God himself will reestablish one day. Paradise found.
One of my wife’s favorite childhood figures was Mr. (Fred) Rogers. During his childhood, when he heard of something that was frightening or scary, his mother would remind him: “Always look for the helpers. There’s always someone who is trying to help.”
This is exactly what Paul described when he wrote: “Don’t let evil conquer you but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21
Bradley Hilton has always been a believer; it was in 2000 that he reaffirmed his faith and went all-in for Jesus. He felt a nudge from God to start a men’s group in his church. Influenced by this group he began a regeneration process that changed his life for a more active service for God. He began a newsletter to encourage others. Its growth resulted in a blog, The Daily Dose – Daily inspiration from God’s Word. Bradley and his wife, Michelle, share life together in Texas with their four children and two grandsons
Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash
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