When people see: exploitation of children, systemic abuse, powerful people covering for each other, sometimes it feels disproportionate to explain it with “greed,” “lust,” or “corruption.”
So the mind looks for a bigger cause. It’s emotionally easier to say things like “This must be supernatural” than to accept “humans are capable of this on their own.” This is why the devil gets blamed way too often.
Real evil is messy, decentralized, and often senseless. Supernatural explanations offer a clear villain, motive, and narrative. It’s a way of imposing order on moral chaos. If evil is supernatural, it’s “out there.” It’s not something ordinary people could fall into, and it doesn’t force us to confront the darker parts of human nature. But if evil is human, we have to face the uncomfortable truth that people like us are capable of monstrous things.
When the powerful do evil behind closed doors, people instinctively feel “This is bigger than just a few bad people.” “There must be something deeper going on.” It’s not irrational. It’s a response to a lack of transparency, a lack of accountability, and a pattern of abuse that seems coordinated. When the victims are children, the human mind almost refuses to accept that anyone could do this without being influenced by something beyond normal human depravity.
The Bible is blunt about this. Evil is not something that only comes from “out there.” It comes from within human beings.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Jeremiah 17:9
“Out of the heart come evil thoughts… sexual immorality… slander.” Matthew 15:19
“Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:14
Human evil equates human choices, desires, corruption, and moral failure. This means that people can commit horrific acts without any supernatural influence. Humans are morally accountable for their actions. Even when Satan is involved, humans are still accountable.
Judas? Satan “entered into” Judas (Luke 22:3), but Judas is still held responsible for betraying Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira? Peter says, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie?” (Acts 5:3)
But they are judged for their own actions.
We must avoid the two extremes. The Bible refuses to let believers fall into either trap. Extreme one, “It’s all spiritual.” This denies human responsibility. Extreme two, “It’s all human.” This denies the deeper reality of evil’s power.
Biblical Christianity teaches that evil is both a human and a spiritual problem. I say we should wait for the whole truth to be revealed and allow God to deal with those involved. Even if they seem to be getting away with it now, it is only for now. They will answer for what they have done. What could we possibly do that would compare to the judgment they will face when they stand before God?
Peter