Why does God allow suffering?

 Jesus made it very clear in the New Testament: Satan is the one who destroys, not God. • John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Any theology that says God “kills, steals, or destroys” contradicts Jesus’ own words. Jesus’ purpose = Life Satan’s purpose = Destruction Q2: Why does destruction happen then? A: Because humans have free will. The Bible teaches that our choices produce consequences.

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” • Wrong decisions, wrong words, and wrong actions open the door to destruction. • God does not override free will He invites us to follow the Spirit. God created humans to rule and make decisions; our choices matter. Q3: Did Jesus show that destruction does NOT come from God?

A perfect example: James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven (like the Old Testament). But Jesus rebuked them. • Luke 9:54–56 (NKJV) – “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven?”… But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Jesus corrected them: Old Testament = judgement on flesh New Testament = salvation and life Q4: So where does suffering come from? According to the New Testament: 

 Satan He attacks, deceives, destroys. 

 Human free will People make decisions that cause harm: • wrong relationships • sin • speaking death • unhealthy eating/drinking • violent actions • disobedience to God’s Word 

 A fallen world We still live in a world influenced by sin, not yet fully restored. But NONE of these are God intentionally hurting people. Q5: What does the New Testament say about our role? We are responsible for our decisions. • Psalm 82:6 (KJV) “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” This means: We have authority. We make choices. We speak life or death. Our decisions matter. We are not puppets. Q6:

What changed between Old Testament Israel and New Testament believers? OLD TESTAMENT Israel in the flesh • stubborn • disobedient for 40 years (Amos 5:26) • resisted God • no Holy Spirit living inside them • lived by law, not Spirit NEW TESTAMENT Spiritual Israel Everyone who believes in Christ is now part of spiritual Israel (the family of God). We now have: • the Holy Spirit inside us • grace • authority in Christ • the ability to choose life daily Deuteronomy 24:16 teaches personal responsibility: • each person is accountable for their own choices.

This principle carries into the New Testament. Q7: Where is God in suffering? God is NOT the cause But He is the helper, the Savior, the healer, the restorer, the comforter. The Holy Spirit leads us if we ask Him and allow Him. Jesus came to save, heal, restore, and give life more abundantly. FINAL WEBSITE SUMMARY Suffering does not come from God. The New Testament clearly teaches: • Satan destroys (John 10:10) • Jesus gives life • We have free will, and our decisions carry consequences.

Death and life are in our tongue (Proverbs 18:21) • Jesus rebuked any idea of destruction coming from God (Luke 9:54–56) • We are children of God with authority (Psalm 82:6) • We now have the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth • Old Testament fleshly Israel is not the same as New Covenant spiritual Israel Therefore: Suffering comes from Satan, from human decisions, and from a fallen world not from God’s heart or will.