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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: How is it that people are coming to accept that evil people can attack and kill people going to church? The culture has gone mad. 99It’s an outrage. Why doesn’t God just remove all the evil people from Earth? He certainly has the power, right? – M.C.

A: Evil is everywhere, and we can find ourselves pointing at others. However, the Bible says that we’ve all “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). If God were to eradicate all evil from this planet, He would have to eradicate all evil men. Who would be exempt? Instead, God is willing to transform the evil person rather than eradicate him or her.

Evil has presented itself almost from the beginning of time. We are more aware of it perhaps because of a 24-hour news cycle. People are forever hearing about bad news. But the Bible says that in the final days before Jesus returns to Earth, there will be “terrible times” (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We are fallen creatures living in a fallen world that has been twisted and corrupted by sin, and we all share in its brokenness. Our world is filled with conflict, turmoil, and insecurity.

Jesus said the basic problem is in our hearts – and the reason is because we are alienated from our Creator. Instead of giving God His rightful place at the center of our lives, we have substituted Him with the gods of this world that claim to satisfy mankind’s longings. But only Christ can change our hearts.

Does this mean that we can never make any progress against the massive problems that assail society? No! God wants us to fight evil wherever it is found. But our greatest need is for repentance and spiritual renewal. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NKJV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.