What would motivate a human being to lure policemen into a trap and then ambush them from above? What possesses a man to drive a truck down a crowded sidewalk and intentionally kill over 80 people, including ten little children? Why would a young man take a rifle into a crowded nightclub and start picking off people at random? Why so much hatred? What’s wrong with people?

The Bible identifies the primary source of evil as the devil. Some imagine themselves too sophisticated to believe in a literal devil. Who can believe in a talking snake? Who can possibly believe in a being with horns, a tail, fiery red eyes, carrying a pitchfork? One of Satan’s most clever accomplishments has been his ability to make himself look so ludicrous that no thinking person would believe he even exits.

But the same folks who don’t believe in the devil or even the reality of evil, are scratching their heads these days, wondering why there is so much monstrous activity in the world. They also wonder what gets into people who take delight in torturing and killing others.

Jesus Christ believed in the devil. He called him a murderer and the father of lies. He identified Satan as the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy. The Bible says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

This is not to say that everyone who commits evil is demon-possessed. The Bible identifies a threefold source of evil: the world, the flesh and the devil. We usually don’t need the devil’s presence to motivate us to sin. We are quite adept at being wicked on our own. But the Bible teaches that evil is very real and Satan is the initiator of it. Once people lower their personal restraints and yield to their own carnal desires, there is no end to the evil that can consume them.

I believe some surrender to their sinful nature for so long that they do eventually become demon-possessed. The Bible says, “Satan entered into Judas” just before he betrayed Jesus. I don’t think anyone in their right mind could intentionally murder people at random and take delight in the carnage. Society may label them sick or insane but at some point such ruthless characters must be demon-possessed. And, consequently, they are capable of unspeakable horror.

There are a number of things our society really needs at the moment, such as:

(1) Television news producers who will put the well-being of the country above ratings; (2) Preachers who will preach racial reconciliation without qualifiers; (3) A president who will lead without being political; (4) Community leaders who will seek to reconcile racial tensions rather than fan the flames of hostility in this volatile climate;     (5) Gaming manufacturers who will refuse to make any more video games that simulate mass killings and cease the desensitization from killing.

But our greatest need is for the church to pray for revival and practice evangelism. There is only one ultimate cure for what ails the hearts of human beings and that is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Only Jesus can melt the hearts of stone. Only Jesus can transform human nature from evil to good. Only the preaching of the cross can motivate us to repent of our deep-seated animosity for others and learn to love even our enemies. Only Jesus can save us now.

In the meantime, Romans 12:17-21 contains a formula for the Christian’s response to the perilous times in which we live. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink: in doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

 

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