Do you think there is more violence in this world than ever before?
On YouTube, we can see ISIS behead their victims and black men get killed by cops.
There are cable channels dedicated to programs that analyze violent crimes as they speculate whodunit.
Some of the most popular TV shows over this last generation focus on solving violent crimes and showing their gruesome nature.
So, is violence worse than ever?
I don’t know, but I do know that the first violent crime goes all the way back to Cain killing Abel.
Then, when Cain is banished by God, he expresses fear of being killed by someone else.
Sounds like violence and danger have been prevalent ever since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden.
Before the flood, we are told that every thought of mans’ heart was evil.
So, is there a solution?
Are there any movements like Black Lives Matter that can really make a difference?
How about education or job training programs?
These aren’t bad things, but they won’t solve the problem of violence. Why?
Violence comes from man being born into Adam’s family.
We are all born with sin as our master.
We don’t have to be taught to sin; we do it naturally.
Sin is self-focused and proud.
It cannot exist in God’s Presence, but we were designed to live in God’s Presence.
We start out in this world cutoff from the only One we really need: God.
So, we go looking for life elsewhere and always come away empty.
What’s the result: anger, resentment, depression, rejection, and all kinds of toxic emotions that fuel our dysfunction.
These emotions end up being fertile ground for Satan to manipulate people into all kinds of violent, sinful actions.
Remember Satan seeks to steal, kill and destroy. He loves violence.
On the other hand, Jesus came to give us abundant life.
Beloved, the only solution for violence is the cross.
We need to point people to the cross and call them to repentance and faith in the shed blood of Jesus.
Then, by faith, they are taken out of Adam and born again into Jesus’ family and given a whole new human nature freed from the power of sin.
As they learn to live in His grace, they will begin to draw on Jesus’ power to walk in righteousness as He fights the battle against the world, the flesh and Satan on their behalf.
This is the only real solution for violence!
Blessings!
Robyn