Part 2 - Who Or What Causes It?
INTRODUCTION
1. In the previous lesson, we saw through the eyes of one suffering Christian that suffering can
often bring about very positive results:
a. It keeps the world from becoming too attractive
b. It can bring out our best
c. It gives an occasion to silence the enemies of God
d. It makes us appreciative for things often taken for granted
e. It makes us depend on God
f. It can purify us
g. It makes us sympathetic
h. It teaches us how to pray
-- In light of these, perhaps we can begin to understand why God would allow suffering to exist
2. In this lesson, we shall cover an even more difficult question: “Who or what is responsible
for the suffering which God allows to exist?”
a. Is it the work of God Himself?
b. Is it Satan?
c. Or is it simply natural consequences in a world of cause and effect?
3. In dealing with this, I do not propose to have all the answers; but I share with you those thoughts
which I believe are in harmony with the Word of God...
I. SUFFERING MAY BE “THE RESULT OF OUR OWN ACTIONS”
A. GOD HAS CREATED A WORLD GOVERNED BY NATURAL LAWS...
1. Laws of cause and effect
2. Laws of action and reaction
3. Laws of sowing and reaping
B. IF WE VIOLATE THESE LAWS, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE OFTEN GRAVE...
1. Like stepping off a ten story building
2. Or running out in front of a truck
3. Or feeding one’s body constantly with “junk” food
4. Or exposing oneself to contagious diseases, dangerous chemicals, pollution, etc.
C. IN SUCH CASES, SUFFERING IS EXPERIENCED...
1. Because, whether knowingly or unknowingly, some natural law has been violated
2. It is not because we are evil or because we are good (i.e., there is no moral significance to this
suffering)
D. WHAT REALLY HURTS, HOWEVER...
1. Is when we suffer because someone else violates a natural law
2. E.g., a car wreck caused by someone else’s carelessness
3. E.g., child abuse by an alcoholic parent
[This explains much of the suffering endured in our lives. Some would say that all suffering is
the result of violating natural laws, and that God or Satan have absolutely no hand in suffering whatsoever. I believe the
Bible teaches otherwise...]
II. SUFFERING MAY BE “THE WORK OF SATAN”
A. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SATAN AS A CAUSE OF SUFFERING...
1. As in the case of Job - Job 1:6-12 - Now there was a day when the
sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence
comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like
him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and
said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath
on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand
now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath
is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the
presence of the LORD. ; Job 2:1-6 - Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before
the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest
thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the
LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in
the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity,
although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin,
yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he
will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but
save his life.
same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
2. As in the case of persecuted Christians – 1st Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the
faith, knowing that the
3. Satan’s objective: that we might curse God (as some do when they experience suffering)
B. BUT WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SATAN TO TEST US SO...?
1. Because God is able to use such suffering to make us better!
a. E.g., Paul and his “thorn in the flesh” - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
- And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me
a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
b. Remember that the trying of our faith can produce good results - James
1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
2. Also, consider what God will do for those who endure Satan’s “shenanigans”:
a. He will - 1st Peter 5:10a - make you perfect, stablish,
b. He will - 1st Peter 5:10b - strengthen,
settle you.
C. WE CAN ALSO TAKE CONSOLATION IN KNOWING THAT SATAN HAS HIS LIMITS...
1. As in the case of Job, God will let Satan go only so far
2. As promised in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:
a. 1 Corinthians 10:13a - God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able;
b. 1 Corinthians 10:13b - but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.
[So Satan is often permitted to bring suffering upon the righteous. His purpose: to devour us, to get
us to curse God. But by the grace of God we are able to use that suffering to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle ourselves
as the children of God! Is there ever a time when God Himself may bring suffering upon His children? I believe the Bible teaches
there is...]
III. SUFFERING MAY BE “THE CHASTISEMENT OF GOD”
A. THAT GOD CHASTENS HIS CHILDREN IS TAUGHT IN BOTH TESTAMENTS...
1. In the Old Testament:
a. “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens
you.” - Deuteronomy 8:5 - Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
b. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD
loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. - Proverbs 3:11-12 - My son, despise not the chastening
of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
2. In the New Testament:
a. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” - Revelation
3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
b. Hebrews 12:5-8 - And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as
unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are
ye bastards, and not sons.
B. WHAT WOULD BE GOD’S PURPOSE IN CHASTISING HIS CHILDREN...?
1. Certainly not because He delights in doing so - cf. Lamentations 3:31-33
- For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the
multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
2. But because it may be necessary...
a. To correct - Hebrews 12:9 - Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather
be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
b. That we may be partakers of His holiness - Hebrews 12:10 - For they verily for a few days
chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit,
that we might be partakers of his holiness.
c. That we may yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness - Hebrews 12:11 - Now no chastening
for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby.
3. Only so we will not be condemned with the world - 1 Corinthians 11:32 - But when we are judged,
we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
C. WHEN WOULD GOD CHASTEN US...?
1. Only when we do not correct ourselves! - 1 Corinthians 11:31 - For if we would judge ourselves,
we should not be judged.
2. Only when we are in danger of being condemned with the world! - 1 Corinthians 11:32 - But
when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
D. HOW DOES GOD CHASTEN HIS CHILDREN...?
1. Consider how God tried to correct the erring nation of Israel - cf. Amos
4:6-12 - And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet
have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there
were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another
city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or
three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith
the LORD. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive
trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the
LORD. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have
taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto
me, saith the LORD. I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and
ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Therefore thus will I
do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O
Israel.
a. These were not miraculous or supernatural events
b. But acts of nature brought on by the providential working of God!
2. If God would use His Providence in an attempt to get the nation of Israel to repent before it was too
late...
a. Would not the same loving God use His providential workings to chastise His erring children today?
b. Does He love us any less? - cf. 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 - For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But
when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. ; Revelation 2:20-23 - Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman
Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed
unto idols. And I gave her space
to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and
them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And
I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and
I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
3. I know of no scriptural reason why God could not or would not use His Providence to bring about events
in our lives which can hopefully serve to:
a. Wake us up
b. Cause us to reflect on our lives and our relationship to God
c. Encourage us to repent and turn back to Him if we are straying
CONCLUSION
1. The gist of what I am saying is this: When we experience suffering in our lives...
a. It may be we have violated some law of nature
1) In this case, there is no moral significance involved
2) It is not because one is good or bad
b. It may be the work of Satan
1) In this case, it is because we are righteous in God’s sight
2) And Satan is trying to devour us, to get us to rebel against God
c. It may be the chastisement of God
1) If so, it is only because...
a) He loves us
b) He sees that we are heading in a direction which if left unchecked would result in the damnation of
our souls!
2) God won’t stop us from sinning, but through His providential workings in the affairs of this
world He might try to get us to reflect upon what we are doing!
2. How can we determine when any particular suffering is from God, Satan or neither?
a. I don’t believe we can
b. Unless, of course, one’s sin is so blatant...
3. How then shall we react to suffering?
a. If in every case of suffering we approach it from the viewpoint that it might be God
in love chastening us...
b. And if we use the occasion of suffering to: examine our lives and relationship with God, and
draw closer to God...
c. Then...
1) If it is from God, it fulfills His purpose!
2) If it is from Satan, it frustrates his purpose!
3) If it is neither, it still brings us closer to God!
Our final study will consider how we can best prepare for suffering...
