Tags
2 Corinthians 4:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Choose You This Day!, Colossians 1:12-14, Deuteronomy 6:5-21, Ephesians 5:15-21, Follow Jesus or The World?, Isaiah 9:6-7, John 10:10, Matthew 7:13-20, Philippinas 2:5-12, Proverbs 16:25, Violence?
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 21 Why Is Violence Violent???
What is violence? We usually connect it with crime, and that is a suitable use of the word, but I think it goes beyond that, for it goes to the heart of man; and our culture is drowning trying to assign it to other things. Most of you know by now, that my daughter was murdered recently, and just last week there was a conference held to discuss and try to avert the tide of violent crimes in a nearby city, particularly violence in the ‘domestic’ arena of our culture; and I’d like to address that issue today. There are several definitions to “violent/violence”:
Violence: swift and intense force…
…rough or injurious physical force, action or treatment…
…damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration…
And I believe the most apropos for our day—
…rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language…
The key here being “immoderate vehemence”–
Immoderate: not moderate…. Exceeding just or reasonable limits; excessive; extreme…without bounds.
Violence is “violent” because it is the result of abandoning God’s Word, His ways, and His “bounds”! Rather than peacefulness and moderation (which used to be taught as virtues to be pursued but are now ridiculed as unnecessary and restrictive) we have turned loose a culture with no moorings of reason at all, where hate is rampant, with or without warrant. We have created a mindset of entitlement, which has bred at least two generations expecting to be fed, pampered, coddled, and entertained at any cost, with no regard to the affect it may have on others—even if they have to steal, kill and destroy! That sounds familiar—there is an enemy to our life and souls!
“The thief cometh not,
but for to steal,
and to kill,
and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.” John 10:10
Just because it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duke—it may not be a “duck”; but you may need to “duck” for cover in Jesus!
“There is a way that seemeth right
unto a man,
but the end thereof
are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25
Jesus referred to this very thing in His sermon on the Mount.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be
that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them
by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes
of thorns,
or figs
of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits
ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:13-20
Jesus warns us to beware of the ‘actions’ or fruit of the people around us, for there is that “way that seemeth right” that isn’t! We live in a world gone crazy with listening to pretty talk that is in total opposition to God’s Word and God’s ways! Yet it feels good, it appeases the flesh, and it leads to hell! I know I quote this passage often, but it is an important message that we need to hear, for we live in the ‘evil day’! What/who are you listening to?
“See then
that ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools,
but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding
what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess;
but be filled
with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
and making melody
in your heart
to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks
always
for all things
unto God
and the Father
in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves
one to another
in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:15-21
We must make a choice! We must decide what “government” we will align ourselves with—The God who Reigns–or the god of this world? Have you allowed the light of God to shine in your heart or are you blinded by the enemy of your soul?
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry,
as we have received mercy,
we faint not;
2 But have renounced
the hidden things of dishonesty,
not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man’s conscience
in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them
that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel
of Christ,
who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves
your servants
for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God,
who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light
of the knowledge
of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Are you on the throne of your own heart or have you bowed before the Cross of Jesus Christ to receive His forgiveness and salvation—receiving HIS peace in place of the violence of the world?
“Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers
of the inheritance
of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
It’s all about Jesus—not about you/me! For you see we wrestle not against other people but against the forces of evil in this world. And until we recognize that God is still God, and the rules haven’t changed—It’s why Jesus came–we will flounder without hope.
“For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government
shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase
of his government
and peace
there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom,
to order it,
and to establish it
with judgment
and with justice
from henceforth
even for ever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts
will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Will you let Jesus rule in your heart; be at home in your heart or will you continue to pursue your own way and find yourself among the ‘violent’ ones who reject God. Jesus has given His all—His own blood for our salvation—for you and me! What have you done with His gift? If you have received His salvation, does your life reflect His glory or the glory of yourself and the world? We are to bow before Him and have His mind of holiness and servanthood on our lives. Even though we live in a culture of selfishness and greed; a culture of me, me, me—”I will have my own way, and I don’t care what God says”! How about you? Do you know God and His Word? God IS our only hope, and He enables us to walk in His Spirit and His Way, rather than the “way that seemeth” right (for now)!
“Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery
to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient
unto death,
even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name
which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of things in heaven,
and things in earth,
and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue
should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved,
as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation
with fear
and trembling.” Philippians 2:5-12
So, my question for us today is, “Who’s in control of your heart and life?” Are you living in excess and sin, or moderation by The Spirit of Christ? Is your life so full of the world that there is no room for Jesus? Or will you bow before Him as Lord of All? Do you know God and His Word or are you walking your own way? Will you get into God’s Word so that you will know what God says? Or will you keep cussing, fussing, drinking and holding onto your ‘stinkin’ thinkin’? The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test—and I can’t help but think that it is nearer than we can even imaging.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing
the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“All scripture
is given by inspiration
of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God
may be perfect,
throughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
And one last thing, remember that what you’re living is teaching more about life to your children than anything you can say, or any instruction that you can give them—as an old adage says, “What the parents do in moderation, the children will do in excess!” If you live a life that marginalizes God, your children are likely to exclude Him totally and miss heaven all together. That is the ultimate ‘violence’! God gave Moses the perfect plan in Deuteronomy 6, I’ll share just a small portion of verses with you, and I recommend that you take some time to read and study the whole chapter.
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God
with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently
unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them
upon the posts of thy house,
and on thy gates……
…20 And when thy son asketh thee
in time to come, saying,
What mean the testimonies,
and the statutes,
and the judgments,
which the LORD our God
hath commanded you?
21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,
We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;
and the LORD brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand:” Portions of Deuteronomy 6:5-21
If we’ll follow God truly and faithfully—others will ask why! How about you—will you follow Him? I pray that you will choose HIM! What is your life telling others, especially your children? Do they see Jesus or the world?
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 