We’ve all heard it: “God allowed it.”

It sounds harmless, but those three words can paint the wrong picture of God. They make Him seem passive, distant, or worse—like He approves of the harm we experience. But that’s not the truth.

Here’s a simple analogy:

Imagine a teacher says to the class, “You can use anything in the room except the paint.”

If a student breaks the rule and spills paint everywhere, did the teacher allow it?

No.

The teacher set a clear boundary, but the student chose to ignore it – like Adam.

In the same way, God gaves us free will, along with clear boundaries for our good. Adam chose to ignore it, and so do we.

When harm happens, whether from our choices or the enemy, it’s not because God allowed and approved of it.

The word "allow" means "to permit or give permission."

God did not permit or give permission for Adam to eat off the tree. Adam made a free will choice.

The teacher did not permit or give permission for the student to touch the paint. The student made a free will choice.

God does not permit or give permission for the harm or devastation happening in your life. It comes from a fallen world, sin or the enemy.

If God was allowing and permitting sickness, for example, then don't use medicine, don't visit the doctors, and don't go to the hospital.

Why?

Because you'd be going against God's will. Instead, pray that it does a full work of death in you.

Do you hear how foolish this is when we stop and think?

This is what happens when we embrace religous clichés and phrases. And when they're wrapped in Christian language, they become strongholds and traditions that fly under the radar – and that we will even fiercely defend.

And yet Jesus rebuked the Phariees for that very thing: making the power of God of no effect because of their traditions.

May that not be true of us.

If it steals, kills, or destroys, it’s not from God. He only brings life.

Here’s the thing:

In order for love to be real, it has to be free and unconditional. That’s why free will exists.

God didn’t create robots. He created humans with the ability to choose. Why? Because love without choice isn’t love at all.

Forced love is tyranny. Bought love is prostitution. Earned love is a wage and no longer a free gift.

None of these are agape.

Agape love—God's love—is free and unconditional. For love to be real, it must be freely given, with no strings attached.

But freedom means risk. It means the freedom to make bad choices, to reject love, or to walk away altogether.

God, in His love, doesn't control us. He invites us. Influence has to be invited, not imposed. He gives us the freedom to choose Him because anything less wouldn't be love at all.

If we misunderstand this, we risk misrepresenting God.

We start seeing Him as the cause of the storm instead of the one who rescues us through it. We avoid Him instead of run to Him.

God doesn’t partner with evil – He overcomes it.

That distinction matters.

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

What you believe about God shapes how you receive from Him.

A distorted view of God leads to a distorted experience of His goodness. And the enemy doesn't need to defeat you if he can distort your view of God.

Here’s the truth:

God is not the author of suffering. He’s the redeemer of it. God does not “allow” harm as if He approves of it. He redeems what the enemy meant for evil.

So where does suffering and harm come from?

It comes from sin, the thief, bad choices, and a fallen world. Not from the Father of goodness.

Jesus shows us the Father perfectly.

Jesus said, "When you've seen Me, you've seen the Father." (John 14:9)

So if you want to know what the Father is like, look to the Son. Because when you've seen the Son, you've seen the Father.

And Jesus shows us the father perfectly: Healing the sick, comforting the broken, freeing the oppressed, and bringing life wherever He went.

If it doesn’t look like Jesus, it’s not from God. God is who Jesus was.

But What About Job?

It's common for people to bring up Job 2:3, suggesting this as evidence for God directly allowing harm:

"Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Let's look closer...

God isn’t putting Job forward for harm—He’s pointing out Job’s faithfulness in response to Satan’s accusations.

Satan was already roaming, looking for someone to attack (Job 1:7). He is also called the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31) and the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). So he's doing what he already does.

We also know that God doesn’t tempt or cause evil (James 1:13).

Saying “God directly allowed it” makes it sound like He initiated or approved the harm. That’s not what’s happening here. God actually set limits on Satan (Job 1:12), but the harm came from Satan—not from God.

If God were directly allowing it in the sense of approval or participation, it would imply He’s partnering with evil, which is impossible. God does not and cannot partner with evil. He is holy, good, and just.

God’s role was to expose the enemy, reveal Job’s faith, and bring restoration (Job 42:10-12).

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.

God redeems. He doesn’t destroy—neither does He partner with evil.

Further reading: Job Was Wrong—So Why Do We Still Believe It?

Wrapping Up

Instead of misrepresenting God’s good nature, let’s hold to this: God doesn’t ‘allow’ harm. He steps in to redeem and restore. He’s a loving Father who rescues, restores, and brings good out of even the darkest situations. The enemy brings the storm, but God brings the rescue.

But if we fail to make this distinction, we will continue to blame God for the works of the enemy and a fallen world, and keep ourselves in unnecessary cycles of pain. At worst, we will turn away from God altogether, all because we failed to understand His goodness.

And if I were the enemy, that's exactly what I would push and pervert on the world. What a cunning ploy of the enemy.

Here’s what God does allow:

He allows us to receive His life, His name, His blood, His authority, His Spirit, His power, His Word, His covenant, and His promises to overcome the suffering and troubles of this world.

He doesn’t leave us defenseless. He equips us to stand strong, to conquer, and to step into the victory He has already won for us.

It is finished.

5 Phrases to Say Instead (and enjoy more goodness!)

1. “God is with me in this, and He will never leave me.”

2. “This suffering is not from God, but He will bring good out of it.”

3. “I can trust God’s goodness, even when I don’t understand.”

4. “God is my comfort, my strength, and my safe place.”

5. “What the enemy meant for harm, God will turn for my good.”

James 4:7 says, "Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

It doesn't say the devil will flee from God, it says he'll flee from you.

But if you believe everything that's happening in your life is God's will or allowing, then you won't resist the devil in times of harm, because you believe it's God's will – and the devil will have a field day with you because you haven't correctly understood your enemy, God's good nature, and your position in Christ.

What a shame.

The God who weeps with you does not wound you.

God is good. Always.

God is for us. Always.

God is life. Always.

God is never the author of suffering—He’s the redeemer of it. And He’s always working to bring good out of sin, a fallen world, bad choices, and what the enemy meant for harm.

God is better than we think – our challenge is believing it.

Want a better understanding on suffering, testing and trials in their proper context? Read my blog called: 10 Lies Keeping You Blind to God's Work (and how to see clearly!)

Edit: This video lesson below from Theologian and Teacher, Barry Bennett, was recorded several weeks after this blog—and is very fitting.

Enjoy!