Satan introduced evil into the world when he rebelled against God, desiring to rule over others. Influencing Adam and Eve, he deceived them by suggesting that God was withholding something good from them, implying disobedience would bring greater happiness. By lying to Eve, Satan initiated the first deception, earning him the title "a liar and the father of the lie" according to John 8:44 in the Bible (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, pp. 107-108).

Genesis 3:1-5, “Now the serpent was the most cautious of all the wild animals of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it said to the woman: “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” At this the woman said to the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: ‘You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.’” At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” (Genesis 3:1-5, New World Translation)

John 8:44, “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44, New World Translation)

Although Jehovah, God had granted Adam and Eve abundant freedom, allowing them to eat from every tree in the garden of Eden except one, they still chose to consume the fruit from that forbidden tree. Eve initiated this disobedience by partaking of its fruit, and Adam followed suit. Despite their inherent perfection, their deliberate disobedience constituted a rejection of God's guidance/rulership, resulting in profound suffering for them. (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, pp. 107-108).

Genesis 2:15-17, “Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of E’den to cultivate it and to take care of it. Jehovah God also gave this command to the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:15-17, New World Translation)

Genesis 3:6, “Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.” (Genesis 3:6, New World Translation)

Genesis 3:16-19, “To the women he said: “I will greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in pain you will give birth to children, and your longing will be for your husband, and he will dominate you. And to Adam he said: “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree concerning which I gave you this command, ‘You must not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account. In pain you will eat its produce all the days of your life. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you must eat the vegetation of the field. In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:16-19, New World Translation)

The choice made by Adam and Eve has had a lasting impact on humanity. Their act of disobedience led to their own imperfection, which they then transmitted to all their descendants. Concerning Adam, the Bible states: "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men." — Romans 5:12.

Suffering can arise from various causes. It may stem from our own poor choices, from the repercussions of others' actions, or from simply being in an unfavorable situation as stated in Ecclesiastes 9:11 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, pp. 107-108).

Romans 5:12, “That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned —.” (Romans 5:12, New World Translation)

Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, New World Translation) 

Numerous individuals hold the belief that God governs the entire world. But is this true? Is God accountable for suffering? Let's examine the scriptures below to understand why God is not responsible for the evil and suffering in today's world and to grasp His sentiments when we undergo suffering. (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, pp. 107-108).

James 1:13, “When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13, New World Translation) 

1 John 5:19, “We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (John 5:19, New World Translation) 

Psalms 31:7, “I will rejoice greatly in your loyal love, For you have seen my affliction; You are aware of my distress.” (Psalms 31:7, New World Translation) 

1 Peter 5:7, “while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, New World Translation) 

Will God put an end to all human suffering and what are the results of Satan’s rulership? This topic will be explored in the upcoming article, Why Does Evil and Suffering Exist? (Part 2).

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand the Reasons Behind the Existence of Evil and Suffering?

1. Who introduced evil into the world according to the article?

a. Adam

b. Eve

c. Satan

d. Jehovah

2. What did Satan suggest to Eve in the Garden of Eden?

a. God would be pleased if she ate the fruit

b. Eating the fruit would bring happiness

c. She should ignore God’s command

d. She should trust in God's guidance

3. Which Bible verse refers to Satan as "the father of the lie"?

a. Genesis 2:17

b. Romans 5:12

c. John 8:44

d. Ecclesiastes 9:11

4. What was Adam and Eve's punishment for disobeying God?

a. They were forgiven

b. They were cast out of the garden

c. They gained wisdom

d. They became rulers

5. Which of the following statements did Satan make to Eve in the Garden of Eden?

a. "You will certainly die"

b. "You will become like God, knowing good and bad"

c. "You will be punished immediately"

d. "You will remain perfect forever"

6. What does Romans 5:12 say about the impact of Adam’s sin?

a. It led to the perfection of mankind

b. Sin and death entered the world

c. Everyone became righteous

d. People started to live forever

7. According to Ecclesiastes 9:11, what is the cause of suffering?

a. God's punishment

b. Unforeseen events

c. The wisdom of people

d. Human perfection

8. What does James 1:13 say about God's role in trials?

a. God tries everyone

b. God does not try anyone

c. God punishes people for sin

d. God gives trials to help people grow

9. According to 1 John 5:19, who has control over the world?

a. God

b. The righteous

c. The wicked one

d. Jesus

10. What does 1 Peter 5:7 say about dealing with anxiety?

a. Ignore it

b. Fight it alone

c. Throw it on God because He cares

d. Worry more

Answers Key

1. c. Satan  

2. b. Eating the fruit would bring happiness  

3. c. John 8:44

4. b. They were cast out of the garden  

5. b. "You will become like God, knowing good and bad"  

6. b. Sin and death entered the world

7. b. Unforeseen events

8. b. God does not try anyone  

9. c. The wicked one

10. c. Throw it on God because He cares 

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2021). Enjoy Life Forever! -- An Interactive Bible Course. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

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