Where Is the God Within When Humans Choose Evil?

"काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्॥" "It is desire, it is anger, born of the mode of passion; know that this is the great devourer, the great sinner, the enemy in this world."
— Bhagavad Gita (3.37)

From scriptures to spiritual teachings, we’ve often been told that God exists within us all. If so, why do humans still commit evil? Why do crimes like violence, deceit, and oppression persist in a world where divine presence is believed to reside in every being? If God is within, does He not intervene when one chooses wrongdoing? Or does the presence of God merely indicate potential—one that is overshadowed by human free will?

The paradox of divinity and sin has puzzled theologians, philosophers, and seekers for centuries. Let’s delve into this profound question by exploring religious texts, moral dilemmas, free will, and the human tendency towards good and evil.


Most religious traditions acknowledge that humans are blessed (or burdened) with free will. The Bible speaks of Adam and Eve’s choice in Eden, Hinduism discusses karma and dharma, and Islam mentions human accountability on the Day of Judgment.
If God controls all, why does He allow evil choices? The answer often lies in the belief that love and goodness must be chosen, not forced. A world where humans are merely programmed to be good would not have true devotion, growth, or morality. But free will also means that some will choose to harm others. This makes evil not a divine act, but a human one.


Hinduism and Buddhism introduce the idea of Maya, the illusion of the material world that clouds our understanding of the divine. According to these beliefs, human beings are trapped in ignorance and ego, making them stray from their divine nature. If God is within, then the distractions of power, greed, and lust can act as veils, preventing people from recognizing their own divinity. Evil, then, is not necessarily an external force but a manifestation of ignorance.



The concept of duality is central in many spiritual traditions. Light and darkness, yin and yang, dharma and adharma—these opposites define each other. Could goodness truly be appreciated if there were no suffering? Many traditions argue that evil exists as a contrast to good, offering humans the opportunity to choose and grow. This duality suggests that while God is present within, the human experience is about balancing these forces and striving toward righteousness.


If we are born with God inside us, why do some people still choose darkness? Many psychological and sociological studies suggest that a person’s moral compass is shaped by their environment. A child born into violence may normalize aggression, while another raised with love and kindness may embody those virtues. Religious teachings also highlight this—Islam emphasizes community and ummah to guide individuals, and Christianity speaks of raising children in faith. Perhaps evil is not a rejection of God but rather a product of an environment that distorts the divine presence within.


Many spiritual teachings warn about the ego as the greatest enemy of righteousness. In Sufism, the nafs (lower self) is seen as a barrier between humans and their divine nature. Christianity preaches humility, and Hinduism talks about overcoming desires through self-discipline (tapas). The ego blinds people to their inner divinity, making them crave power, revenge, and material success, often at the cost of others. When ego takes control, the divine voice within is drowned out, leading people astray.


Many religious teachings suggest that suffering and evil are not punishments but tests of faith. The Book of Job in the Bible tells of a man who lost everything yet remained faithful. Hinduism speaks of karma and past-life debts. In Islam, hardships are seen as opportunities to grow spiritually. Could it be that evil exists to challenge us, to force us to awaken the divine within and act with greater consciousness? Perhaps, rather than proving God's absence, the existence of evil demands our deeper search for the divine.

If God is within us, then we have the power to reflect His attributes—kindness, love, and justice. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that righteous action (karma yoga) leads to enlightenment. The Bible speaks of living by Christ’s example. Sikhism preaches selfless service (seva). These teachings suggest that while evil exists, so does the ability to overcome it. The divine spark within is not passive; it requires conscious effort to nurture and express.
If God resides within all, then every act of kindness, justice, and love is an expression of the divine. But if some choose to ignore that presence, allowing greed, anger, or selfishness to take over, the question is not why does God allow evil? but rather, why do we? Perhaps God does not intervene because He already gave us the power to choose.

So, if you ever wonder why some people choose evil despite having God within them, maybe the better question is—how can we choose otherwise?