A MENTALITY FOR VIOLENCE

Jay Yeager

When I say we live in an age of violence, I am simply saying what you already know, but every generation faces violence in one form or another. Ten generations from Adam there is God’s bleak assessment of humanity: “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11). Two verses later, God announces to Noah; “The end of flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence” (Genesis 6:13).

God did not create man for the purpose of committing violent acts against one another, yet from the beginning it has been so. This article will be a Biblical study of violence and the mind behind it. To cover the subject in the manner I have in mind, I am going to divide it into two parts: First, violence that must be met with violence. Then second, violence that must be actively resisted.

Violence that Must be met with Violence

The more I watch the unfolding of human events, the more I stand in awe of God’s wisdom in establishing civil government to protect the weak and innocent and punish the wicked (Romans 13:1-7).  Today we face terrorist threats (by those who claim to serve God???) intended to strike fear and dread into the heart of every American!

There are few things more revolting to a child of God than those who kill innocent men, women and children in the name of God.  God indicts them; “Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate, (void of judgment)” (Titus 1:15-16).

Terrorists live for terror, not the cause they claim to serve.  They mask their desire to kill behind what they claim they want to build.  Terrorism never builds anything, it only destroys!

What a contrast to Christianity that confronts humanity, not with a gun or a sword, but with a message of hope and eternal life, the promise.  If ever there was a time when people need to hear that the way to heaven is not wrapping yourself in explosives and blowing yourself up taking innocent life, but rather in yielding your life in obedience to the Son of God, that time is now!  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).  “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:11-12).

As for terrorists, if you live by the sword you ought to expect to die by the sword (Matthew 26:52; Revelation 13:10).  Tragically, those who live by violence understand little else.

Violence that must be Actively Resisted.

Abortion is the greatest shame in our country’s history, a disregard for human life.  Since Roe vs. Wade, millions of unborn and even partially born children have been put to death.  Their little bodies (or what is left of them) thrown away. 

The terms doctors use fits the situation.  If the mother decides to carry the child to term, the doctor uses the word “baby”.  If the expectant mother wants to know, they will tell you (by looking at the baby) in advance whether it is a boy or girl.  That way you can paint the room pink or blue as the parents anxiously await the arrival of the new member of the family.

 If the mother decides not to carry the child to term, the doctor never uses the word baby; it is a “fetus” to be removed like a tumor if unwanted.  There are three arguments offered in defense of abortion:

1.   It is not a human life until it is born.  What was it before then?  Listen, dead things never grow into live things!  God recognizes life in the womb and the following verses confirm that truth:  Jeremiah 1:5, Zechariah 12:1, Luke 1:41, Galatians 1:15, James 2:26.  When does life begin?  At conception.

2.   A woman has a right to choose.  I have never been in favor of removing a woman’s right to make decisions.  If a woman does not want children, make that decision before a child is conceived.  The real question is this:  Does a pregnant woman have the right to terminate the life of another human being?  That, beloved, is the core question.

3.   “Well, it is a woman’s body.”  No, it is not!!!  If it were a woman’s body, this country would never see another abortion.  What woman in her right mind would voluntarily submit herself to an acid bath?  Or a suction so powerful that it would literally tear her limb from limb?  Or allow a blunt object to be thrust into the base of her skull and her brains sucked out?