God’s Providence even Restrains the Evil Actions of Men

Here let us squarely face the main difficulty—how about sinful actions? Now, while I will be brief on this point, I want to be very clear, endeavoring to show just how God’s providence, as defined, touches, bears upon the evil actions of men. I think I can make myself understood, and I will use certain terms suggested by Dr. Strong, of Rochester, in order to make it clear that God’s providence touches evil actions and the doers of them.

Let Bible events illustrate: Abimelech took Abraham’s wife. There were no human barriers to oppose his will or restrain his desires. Yet was he hindered from committing a great sin. How hindered? God’s Spirit touched his spirit in a dream: “Thou art but a dead man for the woman thou hast taken I withheld thee from sinning against me.”

B. H. Carroll—The Providence of God