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Why does evil continue to reign and win battles and prevail?
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This question has the assumption built into it that evil is reigning; is winning the war; and that evil is prevailing. This question also the built-in assumption that we all have the same definition of evil.

Definition of Evil

How we define evil depends on who we are.

For someone who is trusting Jesus Christ as their savior, evil is disobeying God. No church or religion determines what is evil. No person or leader determines what is evil. To disobey God (sin) is evil, to obey God is good.

For everyone else, evil is doing, saying, thinking, or feeling something which that person, or a religion, or an organization has decided is evil. This makes the definition of evil somewhat nebulous and something that is different depending on who you are talking to.

Where we can clearly see this difference is in the example of homosexual marriage. To someone who is trusting Christ fortheir salvation, homosexual marriage is evil because it involves disobeying God. For homosexual advocates, opposing homosexual marriage is evil.

So whether or not evil is advancing or retreating depends on your definition of evil. In order to truly answer your question, I need to know more about your question. Why do you see evil as reigning, winning battles, and prevailing? What is your evidence for this?

Why Doesn't God Just Root Out and Destroy Evil?

Here is a story Jesus told that answers this question:

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

'An enemy did this,' he replied.

The servant asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned: then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" - Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV)

This parable tells us that God does not want to root out evil at this time because that would also destroy some of those who are not evil. Instead, when the end time comes, those who belong to Satan (evil) will be separated from those vwho belong to God, and those who belong to Satan will then be burned in the fire.

What Is the Situation Now? It Depends On Where You Are

From my perspective, I see God's kingdom advancing and evil continuing to retreat. Yes, evil does win some battles and is advancing in some areas, but overall God is continuing to win the war.

For example, in Europe God's kingdom is in retreat and evil is expanding. Europe has largely turned away from God and toward humanistic beliefs leaving a huge spiritual vaccum that is being filled by Islam.

On the other hand, evil is in retreat and God's kingdom is tremendously expanding in Africa and China. The battle is particularly fierce in Africa right now, while in China there are far more people trusting Jesus as their Savior than there are in America.

In America we seem to be at a point where we could go either way. We might follow Europe on the trail away from God, or become stronger as we turn toward God. The opposing forces have both been gaining strength and it appears we are now engaged in a major spiritual battle in America.