If I started a fire to destroy homes, hurt others, and kill people that I didn't like, I’d be thrown in jail—and rightly so. Why? Because it's evil and wrong, period.

But here’s the crazy thing:

Many Christians think this is what God does today—and call it "good." Then to justify it, we typically misapply quotes like, "God is sovereign, His ways are higher, He works in mysterious ways, it's all for a reason..."

Not only is this inconsistent—it's twisted, perverted, and dangerous. Isaiah warned of this when he declared a great "Woe!"

"Woe to you who call good, evil and evil, good." (Isaiah 5:20)

When we say that God is responsible for things like the LA Fires, or that He "allowed it" (which is saying the same thing), we are calling what is evil, good—and what is good, evil.

Woe to the person who does this.

Look at the fires that raged through Los Angeles. Families losing their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones. The destruction is devastating. And while many say this is God's doing, it couldn't be further from the truth.

If these fires are from God, then stop praying for safety, don't send help, and don't pray for rain. Why? Because you'd be going against "God's will." Instead, pray that it does a full work of destruction and death.

Hear how foolish this sounds when we stop and think?

Our greatest battle is not against the darkness but against the lies we believe about The Light.

God isn’t the one sending the fires. He’s the one who comforts, restores, and brings life. Blaming God for destruction today is not just wrong—it’s harmful. It distorts His character and pushes people further away from Him.

The enemy doesn't need to defeat you if He can distort your view of God.

A.W Tozer once said: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

Your lens and perspective matters.

Jesus Himself came to reveal God’s true heart, and if there’s one thing His life made clear, it’s this: God is good, always.

Deep down, we know this instinctively, but religion, Christian cliches, and man-made traditions have dulled us to it.

Let’s unpack this truth.

The God Who Weeps With You Doesn’t Wound You

Jesus said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9). If we want to know what God is like, we need to look at Jesus. And what did Jesus do?

• He healed the sick.
• He comforted the brokenhearted.
• He restored what was lost.

He never called down fire on anyone—not even when His disciples wanted Him to.

In Luke 9:54-55, James and John asked Jesus if they could call fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village. How did Jesus respond? “He turned and rebuked them.” Why? Because that’s not who God is.

Jesus didn’t come to destroy lives—He came to save them (John 3:17).

If there were ever a perfect moment for Jesus to prove that God sends fire and destruction, it would’ve been then. But instead, He made it clear: God doesn’t destroy people. He saves them.

When rebuking James and John for wanting fire, Jesus said, "You don't know what manner of spirit you are" (Luke 9:54-56).

The phrase "you don't know what manner of spirit you are" means that they were acting out of a spirit that was not aligned with God's nature.

In other words, their response was not driven by God’s heart of mercy, but by a misunderstanding of God's true nature and desire—reconciliation, not destruction.

James and John had "scriptural reference"—because they referred to Elijah's example of calling down fire, so they were "theologically accurate"—yet Jesus still told them they were wrong.

What does this show us?

That we can walk with Jesus and still not fully understand His nature.

James and John misunderstood God's nature—and sadly, many Christians still misunderstand His nature today, wanting for fire and destruction on others. What a shame.

Jesus said "God gives rain (not fire) to the just and unjust" and that when we do the same, we are being "true sons of the Father" (Matt 5:45)

May we be sons of the Father, not sons of thunder.

May we check what "manner of spirit" we are coming from, and embrace the ministry of reconciliation that He has entrusted to all of us (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Where Does Destruction Come From?

If destruction doesn’t come from God, then where does it come from? The Bible gives us clarity:

1. A Fallen World: Sin broke the perfection of creation. Natural disasters, sickness, and suffering are consequences of that brokenness (Romans 8:20-22).

2. The Enemy: Jesus said the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but He came so we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).

3. Sin: Human choices have consequences. Sin doesn’t just harm individuals—it creates ripple effects that impact the world around us (Galatians 6:7-8).

The fires in LA are a painful reminder of this. They’re not acts of God—they’re the result of a broken world. Blaming God for destruction is like blaming a doctor for the disease they’re trying to cure. God isn’t the source of pain—He’s the healer.

Common Objections

While it’s clear that destruction doesn’t come from God, some might raise objections to this understanding. Let’s address a few of them.

1. "Isn’t God sovereign over everything, including disasters?"

Firstly, many wrongly define “sovereign” to mean “controlling all things.” But that’s not what it means. The dictionary definition of "sovereign" means “supreme over all things.” It never once translates as "controlling all things." It’s important to be clear on that distinction.

In God’s sovereignty (supreme power), He allows free will and the consequences of living in a fallen world, but that doesn’t mean He causes everything that happens.

Disasters are the result of a broken creation, not God’s intentional action. Jesus taught that the thief (the enemy) comes to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10), but He came to give life.

God’s sovereignty is about His ability to bring good out of suffering, not about causing the suffering itself.

2. "What about God’s discipline? Couldn’t fires or disasters be His way of disciplining people?"

God’s discipline is restorative, not destructive. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, "The Lord disciplines the one He loves," but discipline doesn't mean inflicting harm. Jesus took the punishment for sin upon Himself so that we wouldn't have to experience that kind of destruction. Natural disasters are the consequences of a broken world, not a form of divine discipline. God uses kindness and mercy to lead us to repentance, not devastation (Romans 2:4).

3. "Doesn’t this minimize God’s power over nature?"

God’s power isn’t demonstrated through destruction; it’s displayed in His ability to redeem, heal, and restore. When Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:39), He was showing His authority over nature. God doesn’t need to use destruction to show His power—His ultimate power is shown through His love, grace, and ability to transform lives, even in the midst of hardship.

4. "If God isn’t causing the fires, why doesn’t He stop them?"

The reality is that we live in a fallen world, and until Jesus returns, there will be suffering and destruction. God doesn’t cause it, but He works through it. He works in the hearts of His people to bring hope and restoration, even in the darkest times. God uses His church to bring His kingdom on earth—through compassion, aid, and love. Though we may not always understand why certain things happen, we can trust that God’s ultimate plan is one of redemption and restoration (Romans 8:28, Revelation 21:4).

Read more here: Why Did God Put A Tree In The Garden?

5. "But even Job said, "The Lord Gives and Takes Away!"

At the beginning of Job, he says, "The Lord gives and takes away" (Job 1:21) after experiencing destruction caused by Satan (not God).

However, at the end of the book, Job repents, saying, "I spoke about things I did not understand" (Job 42:3) and "I take back everything I said and sit in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6).

This happens after God corrects Job and his 3 friends for misrepresenting Him (Job 42:7).

That means not everything in Job is a perfect reflection of God's nature—it captures human misunderstandings that aren't meant for us to take as truth, and that God later addresses.

The only person that God doesn't rebuke in the Book of Job is Elihu. And look what Elihu says:

"He [God] is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice. He does not afflict" (Job 37:23).

In some translations it says, "He does not oppress" or "destroy us."

It is crystal clear: God was not the one afflicting, oppressing or destroying. And no, God wasn't allowing or permitting Satan to afflict Job. You can read more here.

God does not tempt or cause evil (James 1:13). Saying “God directly allowed it” implies He initiated or approved the harm, which isn’t true. With Job, God actually set limits on Satan (Job 1:12), but the harm came from Satan—not from God (John 10:10).

Satan is already roaming the earth, seeking someone to attack (Job 1:7), and is referred to as the "ruler of this world" (John 12:31) and "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4). He’s simply doing what he does.

If God were directly involved, it would suggest He partners with evil, which is impossible. God is holy, good, and just—He cannot partner with evil.

God redeems. He doesn’t destroy. He does not partner with evil.

Read more here: "God Allowed It" – The Phrase Twisting God's Goodness

5 Practical Ways to See God’s True Nature

Here are a few steps to help you realign your view of God:

1. Read the Gospels Regularly: The life of Jesus is the clearest picture of God’s heart. Spend time reading about His kindness, compassion, and love. Reflect on His actions and words.

2. Rebuke Lies About God’s Character: Whenever you hear phrases like “God is punishing you” or “God caused this to teach a lesson,” challenge them. Ask yourself: Does this align with the God Jesus revealed?

3. Focus on God’s Goodness: Meditate on scriptures about God’s character, like Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Remind yourself daily: God is good. Always.

And know that God's goodness is not at odds with justice, righteousness and truth. Rather, it's because He is good that He is all those things and more.

4. Pray for Understanding: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s heart to you. He promises to guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

5. Be a Light in the Darkness: Instead of attributing destruction to God, step into situations of pain and loss with His love. Whether it’s helping those affected by the LA fires or encouraging someone struggling, be a reflection of His goodness.

God Is Good. Always.

Destruction happens because the world is broken, because sin is real, and because the enemy is active. But God? God is the one who comforts, restores, and redeems.

If your theology allows for a picture of God that doesn’t look like Jesus, your theology needs to be corrected—not excused.

The God who weeps with you doesn’t wound you. He doesn’t send fires—He meets you in them.

The fires in LA may seem like chaos, but God is present in the midst of it—not as the cause, but as the one bringing hope, healing, and restoration.

If you’ve misunderstood Him, you’re not alone. Even the disciples—who walked with Jesus—got it wrong sometimes.

But today, we have an opportunity to see Him as He really is. And all creation is waiting on us to reveal that same good nature of the Father that Jesus did.

"It is the goodness of God that leads man to repentance" (Rom 2:4).

"It is only when we see God as He truly is that we begin to see everything else as it truly is." – C.S. Lewis

Related Reading:

• The Bible Contradicts Itself—And You Better Not Fall For It

• Which of The 4 "Christian Gods" Do You Follow?

• 10 Lies Keeping You Blind to God's Work (and how to see clearly!)