“But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” 1st Thessalonians 2:17-18

Some believe that everything happens for a reason. And, if we search deep enough, we can see how God is working even evil things for our good.

I don’t believe this for a second, and neither did the Apostle Paul.

God called Paul to preach the gospel in Macedonia in a miraculous vision. God’s desire was for Paul to preach in Macedonia.

The unbelieving Jews stopped Paul multiple times and tried to kill him to stop the preaching of the gospel of Christ. Paul does not say that this was God’s design or even that God passively allowed this to happen in order to bring about a greater good. No, Paul says this was the work of Satan!

I do not deny that the Scriptures teach that God oftentimes does overrule the designs of men. However, the Bible DOES NOT say that God uses sin to bring about His will. In fact, Paul wrote a letter to the church at Rome clearly stating God’s view of sin.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” Romans 1:18

Notice how Paul says ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness? God does not use sin or simply allow sin.

God acts in wrath against all sin. Period.