PROVERBS 8:13-17: “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: What is the answer to the senseless acts of violence we see in our nation? The increase of mass shootings is a tragic problem that was unknown when I was a child. Violence has always been a part of the human condition due to sin. However, the random increase of senseless violence on a mass scale is something that is a product of our culture. What is the cause? What is the solution?

To add to the tragedy of a senseless act of violence that takes away precious lives, is the pontification of politicians that use such a tragedy for their own gain. The news of the event is not even fully known before people position their political hammer to craft their position and further their agenda. We do not even have time to mourn before the finger pointing begins. This truly is a tragic situation.

So is there any hope? Is there any solution? Is it our education system? Is it the lack of gun control laws in our land? Is it the anger over the political divide in our land and the verbal rhetoric that is causing this uprising of senseless violence? Is it our disregard for human life and the proliferation of violent movies and video games? The list and the questions could go on and on. We face a sociological cancer and we are trying to solve it with a weed whacker rather than removing the root cause.

The root cause of the social condition that is fostering the proliferation of violence is, there is no fear of God in our land! We have removed the basic tenants of morality on which the founding fathers of our nation established the laws of our land – the Ten Commandments. We no longer teach the principles of morality that were written in stone by the finger of God. These tablets lie broken and discarded in the trash heap of our schools, our courthouses, our government, and most importantly – our public square. Without the fear of God – there is no understanding of what true evil is.

• “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.”

Evil becomes relative. To kill becomes subjective. The sanctity and value of human life is devalued. Pride replaces humility and leads to arrogance and the evil way. The mouth betrays the heart. What we say becomes our reality. We speak evil and espouse hatred and violence, and then we are shocked when it is acted out in our public square. We want to attack the visible weed while ignoring its root. Pass another law that will not be enforced, create another bureaucracy that itself will become corrupt, and pat ourselves on the back thinking we have addressed and solved the issue.

Jesus, on the Sermon on the Mount, took the 10 commandments and illuminated them. He exposed the true heart condition of mankind. When the 10 commandments proclaim, “Thou shall not kill,” Jesus revealed the heart of the Father regarding this command.

• “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 NKJV

What gives someone the insight into the true spirit of the law? It is the fear of God!

• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

• “The fool has said in his heart, “ There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.” Psalms 14:1 NKJV

When there is no fear of God, there is no understanding of what is evil. When there is no understanding of what is evil, there is no moral consciousness or restraint. There is no amount of money, legislation, or social programming that can change the heart of man. Only turning to God in sincere repentance, and returning to a reverence for His commands, will bring about any lasting change in our culture. Without this, we will continue with an endless debate, and propose endless solutions, that will never close the gate of violence that is prevalent in our nation.

Lord, our hearts are broken, and we cry out to You for the victims of the senseless violence of the mass shootings that have just taken place once again in our land. We pray for a move of Your Holy Spirit in the hearts of all Your people to begin to pray for a revival, a great awakening, that will turn both hearts and our nation back to the fear of the Lord. May every house of faith begin to teach and proclaim the fullness of Your truth. And, may we position ourselves in love towards all those who oppose Your Word, being willing to count the cost of ridicule, misunderstanding, hatred, and even death.

In Jesus Name!