The Real Destroyer | Doubting God’s Goodness (Part 4)
May 20, 2026
In a previous post, I introduced the concept that God is not the author of the bad things that happen in life, but rather that bad things happen because of the curse and the influence of the enemy (devil) on our minds. It is the freewill of humans that choose to put those influences and evil thoughts into action. Before I finally get into the discussion of the goodness of God, I want to put the finishing touches on the biblical truth that God is not the source of bad things.
The enemy is a liar. In John 8:44, Jesus tells us that the devil is a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies (NLT). The devil is a keen observer of human nature and will introduce all sorts of ideas to you that seem like the right thing to do but are certainly not. And to add to the deception, he suggests to you that you are the source of those evil thoughts and condemns you for them. The Bible is clear. You must violently and immediately cast down evil thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5).
God is not the bad guy! The devil, who really and truly exists in the spiritual realm, is the bad guy. Jesus told us in John 10:10 that he is stalking every human being to steal from them, kill them, and destroy everything they have. Peter the Apostle described the devil’s stalking with a warning to actively resist him.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
The devil is a very good liar. It is very easy to get duped. The young are particularly vulnerable. Back in the 1980s when I was coming of age, Hollywood was pumping out movies and programming that depicted casual sex as a harmless and fun activity. We were led to believe that absolutely everyone was doing it. The idea of saving yourself for marriage was an old-fashioned notion that no longer applied in this modern age. I listened to Hollywood as did many other young men and women. We, good Christian kids who were taught right from wrong, bought the lie of the devil that casual sex was okay and expected.
We found out that buying that lie and willfully acting on it was sin laced with consequences. Our good God made a way for us to repent, confess our sins, and be forgiven, but that doesn’t take away the consequences: broken relationships, entanglements that are hard to break free from, unintended pregnancies, shaky foundations for marriages that may eventually crumble. These consequences hurt a lot of people, including our children and grandchildren (see Numbers 4:18).
God is not to blame for the bad consequences of my actions. They were my actions and I must live with the consequences and the ripple effects of them. But, God can deliver us from the bad situations that are the outcome of our sin, if we turn back to Him earnestly. Repentance turns the tide. Restoration and hope are the calling cards of our good God.
Psalm 107:17, 19-21:
17 Some are fools [made ill] because of the way of their transgressions and are afflicted because of their iniquities.
19 Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses. 20 He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. 21 Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! (AMPC)
James 5:14-16:
Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. 15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (AMPC)
God is not the destroyer. He is the Restorer, if we invite Him into our situation with a sincere heart. Humans need a Savior. I needed a Savior! Our good God provided a Savior in the person of Jesus Christ. Our good God sent His Son to break the curse, raised me out of the muck, and redeemed me. Thank you, God!!
Prayer: Father God, today I confess my sins and faults. I am sorry for and turn away from my sins of ______________. Because of Jesus, I am assured of Your forgiveness. You further promised not only to forgive, but also to forget them, removing them as far as the east is from the west. Your goodness, mercy, and grace are my hope and my salvation. Thank you! Amen.