Sunday, April 5, 2009

An Avalanche of Violence!



"Have we become numb to tragedy?" --- Internet News Headline - April 5, 2009

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” --- Genesis 6:11-13

It’s getting to be a almost a daily routine with what we have come to know as “Breaking News Headlines.” Incident after incident of violence takes place with a number of lives lost due to someone’s loss of control and the venting of built-up rage. As of this date recent mass shootings in the state of New York were followed a short time later with the shooting deaths of 3 police officers in Pittsburgh PA. This simply underscores the fact that our culture is in a terminal state of moral and spiritual decay!

Recent months have seen an escalation of shooting sprees resulting in multiple deaths. In the midst of the shock come loud voices decrying the senseless acts along with appeals that “something needs to be done” in order to prevent a repeat of such tragedies. Often the focus is on the alleged “gun problem” and the need to legislate more control with the ultimate goal of banning private ownership of firearms.

However, even if it were possible by law to remove every firearm from the home of every law abiding citizen, the criminal element would still have their weapons. Common sense, which is often lacking in the minds of legislators, tells us that a large number of persons will still have access to firearms in spite of any number of laws that say you can’t have a gun in your possession!

Let’s consider the fact that it is not so much a gun problem as it is a people problem – people who are prone to express their frustrations in a violent manner. If they don’t have a gun to use they will give vent to bottled-up rage using something else. People have been known to kill other people with such things as baseball bats, knives, hatchets, hammers, poison, and even automobiles!

Think for a moment – we are living in a time when millions have been fed and raised on a “diet” of violence. Decades ago the entertainment industry produced more and more films which featured detailed and very graphic violence – at times it is shown in slow motion to make a greater impact as you see the splattering of blood, brains, and guts in all directions! The gaming industry began producing games that featured extreme violence. The music industry produced “music” (term used loosely) that had lyrics suggesting violence and immorality.

The end result? People who have feasted on that kind of “diet” from the days of being a toddler are much inclined to express frustration and differences with others in a violent way. We’ve simply been “conditioned” to react in such a manner. The increased frequency of what has become known as “road rage” is simply another symptom that we have bad “diet” habits which kill the conscience and set us on a sure and certain course that ends in disaster!

Will the tide be turned? One would hope so, but at this point there is no indication that significant changes will take place. It’s going to have to start with a change of “diet” which actually involves something called repentance, a heap of confessing of failure and sinful behavior to a holy God, and an admission that we need Jesus Christ more than we need anything or anyone else in life! Face it -- not many are willing to meet such conditions, and so we'll continue our violent way of life in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

In the meantime, a small remnant which knows Jesus Christ by personal acquaintance continues to pray that the nation, its leaders (state and church), and its citizens will come to full repentance, healing will take place, and violence will cease to be a way of life in working off our frustrations.

"And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” --- Luke 17:26, 27

"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" --- Lule 18:7, 8

No comments: