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Nor are intentions or actions enough -- what really matters is what is in our secret hearts and minds when we do good or evil things -- are we doing good without expecting a payback, or just to make ourselves look good?

That doesn't answer my question, AW. My question has to do with the idea that God is in control and if he is in control then nothing in the world is against his will and a reason for him to dislike because everything is just the way he wants it. Otherwise he is not in control. If he is not in control then he is not sovereign.

As long as you arrogate to yourself the role of defining God, you will find what you are seeking -- apparently, you are seeking a logical fallacy. But if you study scriptures with an open mind, intellectual curiosity and diligence, you may be surprised to understand that God is not what you want Him to be; He is what He is.

God's idea of control differs from yours. He is the source of freedom as well as of restrictions. Your concept of "control" seems static and rigid. God's is organic and dynamic.

Hey Kosta. Good to see you.

My question has to do with the idea that God is in control and if he is in control then nothing in the world is against his will and a reason for him to dislike because everything is just the way he wants it. Otherwise he is not in control. If he is not in control then he is not sovereign.

I suppose you already know MY answer. :) God is sovereign and in control, and nothing that happens in the world is against His will. The Bible clearly teaches that God both hates sin AND that certain sin is in accordance with His plan and will. The easiest example is the crucifixion. It was not by accident but by Divine design, and required sin.

The reconciliation is that God's "likes" and "dislikes" are relative to the bigger or smaller picture. In the small picture of course God hated to see the sin of His Son being crucified. However, in the big picture He required it to happen for the greater will that His elect be saved. We are told explicitly that God uses sin for good:

Gen. 50:18-20 : 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.