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If the devil must get permission from God to do evil things, why would God allow such a thing to someone?

God created us with a free will. The more that someone willfully drifts away from God, the more opportunity he or she provides to welcome the devil. God still protects us as much as we let Him. Job is a perfect example of God setting the limit with the devil to not touch Job's soul. The devil wickedly thought that Job's righteousness and love for God was merely due to his possessions, but God knew that Job's heart belonged to God. Thus, God protected Job's soul, but allowed the devil to only take what would not affect Job's soul, "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.'" (Job 1:12). When the Lord predicted St. Peter's denial, He revealed that the devil desired to destroy this disciple, but the Lord intervened because St. Peter would repent by his own will and return to God, "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'" (Luke 22:31-32).