When I think about violence, it makes me shudder. People all around the world experience it whether on a city street, country lane or between warring countries. According to the dictionary, violence is described as...
"behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage or kill someone or something."
This Oxford Language Dictionary further explains, that it is also
"strength of emotion or of a destructive natural force."
Either way, pray "God have mercy on the victims!"
Most people are well aware of the various forms violence takes, such as: murder, fighting, riots, vandalism (eg. torching homes, buildings); physical assault; verbal (hate speech); intentional bodily injury: kicking, punching, shoving - most of which is propelled by bitterness, liquor, hatred, rage and the like.
In this "study", based on Rob Harbison's Lesson Guide entitled, "Moral Issues Facing the Church", we'll delve into more reasons perpetuating perpetrators use violence and see what God has to say about it. In this day and age, as in ages past, violence is very much alive no matter where you may travel and you may feel violence is increasing in occurence even in so-called "small sleepy towns".
Violent people often beget violent people. Indeed God's Word tells us about the human heart. Jeremiah wrote,
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desparately wicked..." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT).
It is a travesty and when a person grows up in a violent environment, it is difficult, although NOT impossible to disentangle from it. Self-interest, fear, stress, a sense of losing control, being frustrated, responding to aggressors, feeling unheard, and brain injuries are a few contributing factors that often cause people to become violent.
I don't want to leave this thought stuck in that scenario, so I'll add that many do manage to overcome and remove themself from toxic situations. It is a mammoth challenge, so I've read, but not impossible.
Briefly, here are some major contributing factors. Racial tensions, for one. As the saying goes,
"Birds of a feather flock together..."
and often for protection against said violence and racial tensions but also because greater and mutual understanding among your own species can be more easily promoted. However, when one group gets suspicious of another and/or misunderstands the culture and intentions of the other, biases can percolate. One group begins to lord it over the other and suddenly violence erupts and both factions use their brawn instead of their brain.
Being able to cherish ones own cultural and ethnic traditions gives people their identity. There is need though, to work at some integration to promote peace and harmony. America used to be termed, "a melting pot" as many from the "Old World' wished to forge a more 'successful and peaceful life'. The pioneers worked hard at it to become "American", while still maintaining their ethnicity and traditions but adding infusions from the others in their foods, dances and so forth. 'American' was the summation.
Nowadays it seems more like a "tossed salad" where each wishes to push their own agendas, snubbing others in the process. One can 'pick out' and throw away the ingredients of a tossed salad so much easier than from a melting pots' condiments.
Due to racial tensions, frustrations filter to the top. Anger begins to ominously simmer, waiting to erupt like a volcano into violent, aggressive 'lava,' consuming whatever and whomever happens to be in their path.
Anger breeds hatred, and lack of self-control and understanding produces unrighteous, violent behavior and following one's own interests. Lack of respect for another is another by-product birthing out-of-control emotions, be they physical, emotional and/or verbal onslaughts.
Low self-esteem can bring out all these aspects including feelings of defeat, blaming others and so the vicious cycle spins and spawns another round of violence.
When a person doesn't get what they want, for example, an inheritance or being overlooked for promoted at work let's say, feelings of entitlement can be stirred up and create contempt, breeding anger leading to violence.
It's exceedingly strange and a crying shame though that for a country such as the USA that was built on biblical principles and morals by its founding fathers, to have become so decadent and violent...how could such a thing have happened?
When truth is rejected, people will believe a lie, replacing God's ways with their own ideals, which are more often than not, less than ideal. They live according to their own laws and when they don't get what they want, they feel entitled to throw tantrums without observing the stop and/or yield signs that guard behavior, taking matters into their own hands - often in the form of violence. This, especially when weapons are so easily obtained.
Ever hear of the term "group mentality"? This would be like in a society, cult, gangs or even a cheerleading team. It could be a good thing but seems mostly to conjure up negative vibes. According to www.techtarget.com, "group mentality" is,
"the inclination that some human beings have to be part of a larger group, often neglecting their individual feelings in the process, and adopting the behavioral actions of the people around them."
For instance, a gathering to grieve, protest or cheer on a sport's team where a crowd can easily and quickly adopt a "group mentality" be it favorable or otherwise.
In the advent of a gang, it could be the only 'family' they have where loyality bonds are bound and members actually more or less 'care' for each other. Feelings of affinity arise in an individual that they'd never had before with their own biological family.
Relating this to how "group mentality" contributes to violence, gangs, gang rapes, riots, vandalism and the like, it happens if those in the group come to believe that a certain way of behaving will ensure being in the 'in crowd'. Bullies' sidekicks are very much under peer pressure to take the bully's actions as acceptable. In all the negative forms, individuals in groups can be easily swayed to violence even if it hadn't been their original inclination. Peer pressure sprouts 'loyalists' even when there is misplaced adherence.
Violence need not be entirely of a physical nature. There are mental and emotional forms. Verbal abuse can be powerful in devastating children and adults alike. The old adage,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me,"
is not really true.
Put downs, constant shouting and being called negative terms such as 'stupid' or 'no good', being humiliated in the presence of friends, and/or co-workers by heartless people hurt and break hearts and peoples' spirits. Intimidations and threats of violence garner fear in victims. They become easily controlled and manipulated to the perpetrators' will (www.thehotline.org).
Mental and emotional forms of abuse intertwine, often occuring when someone says or does or is overprotective and/or guilt-trippping another to make that person feel stupid and worthless. Spiritual abuse can be an example of such when there are threat-causing, fear-causing consequences of stepping out of line especially of the 'unwritten rules'; for example, being excommunicated and ostracized, which is devastating. Therefore, a perpetrator could use a person's spiritual beliefs to manipulate, dominate and control them (www.gov.nil.ca).
Mental violence can be created by isolating a person from others, using verbal aggression, threats and intimidations hurled at them, harassment and stalking, humiliation and defamation each become those heavy dark clouds upon the victims' heads. Name calling, withholding affection and making threats all add mental stress to what an individual is made to endure.
As it is mostly not of an overt nature - mental and emotional, along with spiritual abuse are all that much more abusive. Outsiders cannot visually see the evidence, like bruises and broken arms as seen with physical violence. An individual on the receiving end of all these need to know that "it's NOT YOUR fault"!! It is the perpetrator's evil machinations and you should get away, escape, if at all possible. Get help! (https://eige.europa.eu).
Vandalism is the urge to damage and destroy and be motivated from a variety of triggers. These could be anger, rebellion, retaliation, political motivation, peer pressure as form of entertainment especially in those less than 18 years old and of the male species (www.ojp.gov). Sometimes vandalism is used against people the vandalizer cares about perhaps as retaliation for some strict, yet loving parental correction and discipline (www.fareham.gov.uk).
Further motivation towards acts of vandalism could be the 'group mentality" to show "masculine 'prowess', toughness, towards
"initiation into a gang, and in a competitive situation by those not inhibited by moral constraints against damaging public targets and because this crime requires little knowledge or organiztion and little threat of being caught"(www.ojp.gov. Vandalism & ITs Preview)
As you can see, the motivations behind vandalism can range from sheer abandon of relinquished inhibitions with little risk to being caught, to a pre-meditated, planned letting lose to serve some political gain. Whichever the indication it is sinful and criminal activity.
God's Word warns,
"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23 KJV).
It may not be found out by human beings but Jesus is comng back to earth the second time as Judge of the living and the dead (see Acts 10:42). He knows everything, sees everything and takes note of it all.
People out there, please know that God does care for you and wants you to come to Him NOW, in repentance. He reaches out to you because He loves you. He is ready for you to come in sincere repentance and accept His free gift of salvation. He'll forgive all your wrong doings. He'll send you His Holy Spirit to live in you to help you do what's right and good. Come to Him through Jesus today. There is this hope held out to you to live a righteous life with His help.
Since The Fall of humankind in the Garden of Eden via Adam and Eve, mankind's sinful nature continues to perpetrate sin and evil actions of all kinds. What is even more psycologically deviant is when some people torture others, the deviant enjoys the violent acts along with the suffering of others. Some of us cannot comprehend this, but gauge yourself if and when you watch violent movies, or see a major car crash. Do you enjoy all the kicking, punching shooting, knife-fights and the like or the blood, guts and gore? On a scale of 1-10, 10 being "the most enjoyable" - where are you at?
Despite movies being "pretend," they depict violence and the brutal side of human nature left to its own devices.
Some people enjoy violence as it fulfills some emotional need, or they themselves have been recipients of violence at the hands of abusive parents; or it makes the perpetrator feel powerful and in control.
People love to get revenge - it's human nature, they say. They love to hurt those who have hurt them. They deal without the forgiveness and it eats at them, consuming their lives. That is the price despite any enjoyment that may be had seeing their former assailant and perp squirm and feel the heat now the shoe is on the other foot.
One thing I learned while going through this study was that torture was actually 'invented' to deter crime! How twisted is that! I guess there are people who would think twice about commiting crime if they knew they'd be tortured if caught. The conclusion is then that torture must be a good thing as it deters crime (geneticliteracyproject.org). Sarcastically speaking here, its better to be the torturer than the tortured. It's either him or me and since it's not me at this time, I'd better enjoy the suffering of others, after all, they deserve it.
If a murderer and/or rapist of a child is being tortured - wouldn't the parents be glad of that! Some recompence is being administered. Wouldn't they love seeing the one who caused pain to their dear child in the past, now be the one in pain and hurt? Wouldn't they enjoy this and feel the satisfaction of finally getting some 'justice' served, as simply allowing the perp to linger on death row and only after many years being put to death by hanging, lethal dosage or in the electric chair? This would not be enough!
Our human nature would likely totally agree. Yet those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior will have to eventually pull on the reins of such thought lines and listen to Holy Spirit conviction to forgive. It would not be easy, especially if it had been your own child or best friend who had been attacked and assaulted.
Jesus Christ suffered, bled and died for us. He endured torture, whippings, cruel mockings for OUR sake. We had sinned. He was atoning for OUR sakes and sins. Do you see Him dying there - crucifixion was considered the worst kind of punishment for a criminal to endure.
The soldiers hung Jesus between two legitimate criminals, thus insinuating Jesus was one too and the brains behind the crimes. Yet Jesus hung there for you and for me. Like a sheep being shorn, He opened not His mouth to defend Himself. He took the full heat (see Isaiah 53:7-8).
Many passersby enjoyed that scene. There was a small huddle of disciples and Jesus' mother who were pained in their hearts though. Are they angry at you because of what your sin did to their dear, precious friend and son? Well, they too needed this - it's true. But can you get the picture? Do you get the 'feel'?
As believers in Jesus Christ, having Him as our Savior and Lord we have experienced His forgiveness for all the sins, small and great that we have done. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, it encompasses us and behooves us to forgive even the most dastardly and heinous of crimes against us and our loved ones.
True, it is NOT easy to forgive. I understand this full well!! However, if we are children of God and wish to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and become increasingly Christlike, pray to the Lord to help your heart come to the point of being able to forgive and to be able to put it into action to declare the words, "In the name of Jesus, I forgive you for ___________" (that is, for whatever the crime or offense had been commited) to the perpetrator.
This would be a huge act of demonstrating God's love for your neighbor. God's amazing love and grace working in your life and shining forth. May the Lord help us all!
I believe most of us can agree that rape is as much an act of violence as it is of lust. It is a very rough act, disrespecting the victim, devastating physically, mentally, emotionally, as well as sexually. Rape violates the victim which equates, violence!
Violence can be fun to some people as it creates tension and suspense that is appealing to some. Again, think of violent movies people like to make and watch. So much action - doesn't it repulse you? Or do you think it fun?
One 'quora' quote goes like this...Violence,
"comes from the 'animal' part of our brain which in most people is overcome by the more rational side that then feels empathy for those that may be hurt" (www.quora I Devise Pleasure).
'Animal' part - isn't that the sinful nature? The fallen nature? The human nature? Call it what you will, it needs redemption and then hopefully, the Holy Spirit-filled believer will find no pleasure in being a perpetrator of violence, nor will he or she enjoy another being violently sinned against - even if we may think the individual deserves it.
Cruelty and brutality are definitely sins. They do not, should not, characterize a believer in Jesus Christ. These elements of evil do not show love and kindness to others. In fact, they are very godless behavior. Those who engage in cruelty and brutality love only themselves and take pleasure in harming others (see 2 Timothy 3:3).
As Romans 1:28-32 explains, people who do not, "think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God" will be filled with all kinds of evil, "greed and depravity...and invent ways of doing evil..."
Regardless of having once known what was right in God's eyes, they did not feel it worthwhile to maintain such knowledge! How exceedingly sad this is!
There's that old saying that when a person rejects truth, they'll then believe a lie. Satan is the father of lies and delights to do evil. His offspring follow him. When one abandons God's righteousness, they will prefer evil over good.
Think of the motivation behind Cain's violence. There was jealousy and anger. God even spoke to him about those feelings he was harboring but Cain didn't desist. Thus, his murdering of his brother Abel. No repentance only remorse was a result (see Genesis 4:1-8).
Simeon and Levi's motivation for cruelty and violence was their anger and fury, which boiled and raged into cruel fierceness and the killing spree they perpetrated upon their sister Dinah's rapist and his people. Unchecked anger left a blood bath trail (see Genesis 49:5-7).
God hates violence. He takes note of it. There will be consequences. God knows who is in power, who is oppressing whom, who is perpetrating violence and evil. He knows who will need to be answerable to Him. He sees who does what and how they've administered or neglected serving justice and allowing people their rights.
God will put an end to it all. There will be severe consequences. Look at what He did in Noah's day! He sent The Flood. Water covered the whole earth. All the people were wiped out except righteous Noah and for his sake, his wife, his sons and their wives; eight people out of how many millions (see Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13; Ecclesiastes 5:8)! If only the people had repented!
God had regretted He'd made mankind but He put and end to violence. We're told in another place that He will
"rain fiery coals and burning sulpher; a scorching wind will be their lot" (see Psalm 11:4-6).
God the righteous judge means business. He hates those wicked ways and brings severe judgment upon them. You just wait and see.
We can be reminded that vengence (and taking revenge) belong to God. He will be the One to repay (see Deuteronomy 32:35 & Romans 12:19-21).
As alluded to earlier, the second greatest commandment is to,
"love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
If one is loving in this way, then violence is definitely not consistant with loving ones neighbor. Intimidation is also a form of violence coming under the mental and emotional abuse type of violence.
The Roman soldiers asked Jesus what they should do better. Jesus went straight to their jugulars, so to speak. This is what He told them,
"Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely..." (Luke 3:14).
The Romans were the ones with the power to enforce the law and often did so inappropriately. I wonder if they ever asked Jesus for any other advice after that. Hah! Perhaps some of them were instrumental in his 'so-called' trial and crucifixion.
Coming back to rape as being an act of violence as much as of lust, we discover what God told the Israelites how to punish the offender. If the rape had happened out in the country where the likelihood of anyone hearing the victim's screams were close to nil, then only the man would be stoned to death. The Deuteronomy 22:25-26 verses state that the woman,
"...has commited no sin deserving death..."
Wow, don't you love that God places the blame squarely where it belongs!
However, if the rape had happened in town where screams were more likely to be heard, then both the man and the woman would be punished by being stoned to death.
Justice in both instances was dealt. It is good to see that the man is to be blamed and must take the consequences of his violent sin in both country and town cases and both partners in the town case equally. By contrast, some places in this world, even today, forever put the onus on the woman.
Ladies, it's VERY important to SCREAM, if at all possible! Some may freeze from fear and fright so please put a pre-emptive thought into your mind to SCREAM! I pray none reading this will ever, ever be in such a situation however, do what you can to help yourself if you are.
Again though, God held the man responsible for the terrible situation (see Deauteronomy 22:23-24). Law makers the world over should take note.
There was a question asked, "explain how divorce can be considered a violent act even though no physical abuse is involved". This surprized me. I had never considered it before. Malachi 2:16 spells it out explicitly,
"The man who hates and divorces his wife...does violence to the one he should protect."
WOW!! That is very directly honing into the issue. In fact, the verse has been double-rubber stamped with,
"says the LORD the God of Israel"
and
"says the LORD Almighty."
God let His will be known in no uncertain terms.
This husband is supposed to be protecting his wife but because he is hating her instead, he's creating emotional and mental violence. Even though there may be no physical violence, violence mentally and emotionally can, and is, just as tormenting and violent. The Lord Almighty is witness to it all (see Malachi 2:14).
God is witness. Be sure your sin will find you out (see Numbers 32:23)! Things done in the dark will be exposed to the light (see Luke 12:23).
A violent person who terrorizes others will not get away with it. Judgement day will come. So
"don't be deceived, God cannot be mocked" (see Galatians 6:7-8).A person will reap what he or she sows. Their trouble will recoil upon them (see Psalm 7:16).
Victims may feel like there is no justice and God - if there is one - has abandoned them or doesn't even care. Yet if you take time to read these verses carefully you'll see a violent person will not get away with his violence and terrorizing even if it may appear God is not doing anything about it now. Read the verses and see that justice will eventually be served. The verses such as: Galatians 6:7-9; Pslam 7:16; Psalm 140:11; & Habakkuk 1:2-3). Read them all for yourself.
May they bring some healing to your devastated hearts. Know that the perpetrators will
"reap what they have sown."
This is the principle that will eventually catch up with those who love violence and perpetrate it. Thank God for it but be ready to be forgiving as well. Forgiving not to let them off the hook, but to free yourself from the whole range of negative emotions to which you may have been or may yet still be held captive. Don't allow violence to breed violence in your heart and mind.
Easy to say, I know. Pray for God's help through the Holy Spirit's dynamic power to come to such a moment of release.
In Noah's day, God found him to be the one and only righteous man to stand in the gap and to build the wall for Him, which took the shape of an ark. God does not want to destroy His handiwork but when oppressive violence continues to violate, God is not going to let it slide. He needs you, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, to be on His side, to stand up with Him, to be that salt and light in the world, to be that wall that protects and defends and stands for righteousness (see Ezekiel 22:29-30).
Further to this, God's looking for even just one, get that - just one, if possible, to stand with Him. Are you up for it? Pray for the salvation of wicked people in general, and those you know in particular. As salvation takes hold in a person, the number of violent people will be minimized, mimimizing violence and building protection against violence.
For example, watch-keeping against human trafficking and those willing to rescue those who are being trafficked along side experienced rescuers. Are you willing to give care, support and protection after the victims have been rescued?
This is only one huge avenue of wall building and standing in a gap. Ask the Lord to direct you to where He wants you to stand, protect and pray with Him.
It may feel that this world does not know when "enough is enough," rather that the limits have expanded further and further, encompassing and allowing greater and greater violence. Violence appears even more apparent whether with guns, knives, atomic weaponry or drones. The heart of mankind is continuously perverse wielding violence as if it were a candy cane or black magic wand.
Yet praise be, God does have a limit. He said iu Ezekiel 45:9,
"...You have gone far enough...Give up your violence and oppression and do what is right..."
Again, God does have a limit and will eventually bring in His justice. Victims may wish that it happened here and now!
It is not an easy thing to be asked to be patient when you've been violated and sinned against, often throughout your whole childhood and/or marriage.
Yet know this, God is witness and He has a limit. He will bring justice into the equation. He makes all things beautiful in His time. As the prophet Isaiah wrote,
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righeousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor" (Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV).
I may be guilty of repeating myself but let me emphasise, God warns evil men that when they carry on with their nefarious deeds, they will be eventually stopped. As believers in Jesus Christ, being salt and light in this world, we have responsibility to do what we can to minimize the violence especially on behalf of the victims' lives. God is on our side.
The better way then violence is love - God's kind of love, that is. Love that is unconditional and has many facets such as being: patient, kind, gentle, not proud, not envying, always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres and never fails (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-7).
The love of God is shown and demonstrated through God's children, out to one and all. This love can be the catalyst to bring healing to the wounded and to bring down violence. However, the word 'persevere' may be very key to overcoming evil with good.
Life is never easy and is fraught with so many difficulties. A good way to stay out of trouble and out of the middle of violence is to not even step a toe into it in the first place. Curiosity killed the cat and it might not be able to extricate itself. Don't be lured or misled into bad company. Avoid it and do not travel in that direction (see Proverbs 4:14-17 & 1 Corinthians 15:33).
"Those who play with fire, will be burned,"so the saying goes.
When a person totally abstains and doesn't ever give a hint of wickedness, they will be able to mostly stay out of trouble and out of the middle of violence. Realistically, sometimes it finds you anyway, but at least, hopefully, violence would not be perpetuated by your hand.
Do not give wicked people an inch or they'll obligate you to go a mile and eventually, all in. Seek God and discernment and His wisdom to know and detect the deception of the wicked. Satan does act as an angel of light but the Holy Spirit can help you know and give you a sense of what the true picture is.
Think of the Arab story of the Bedouin Man and His Camel. It's an almost perfect illustration of this. Here's my adaptation thereof.
It was a cold evening in the desert. The Bedouin tied his camel beside the tent then he crawled into the tent and snuggled onto his mat, ready to sleep. He was about to doze off when he heard his camel ask, "Is it ok to just poke my nose inside the tent with you please? It's cold out here and the air is making my sinus' contract."
"Ok," mumbled the sleepy Bedouin, "but no further."
A short while later Camel spoke again, jarring the Bedouin awake. "Oh, Master, please let me also get my front legs inside, they are cramping from the cold."
Somewhat annoyed, but feeling a bit sorry for his camel, the Bedouin said, "Ok," and scrunched over a bit to allow his camel some space.
Not long after dozing off for the third time, Camel inquired yet again. "Oh kind Master, please let me come in all the way. It's freezing out here!" And without further ado, Camel crashed all the way into the tent, shoving Master outside.
None of us can be too careful. Let's avoid violence in all its forms. As I direct my words to those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, let's be aware of those around us who suffer at the hands of violent people. Our minds often govern our behavior. Meditate on this verse,
"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Holy Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6 NIV).
Help those who have been victimized by violence, stand in the gap and build protective walls along with our Almighty God. Let us season our behavior and attitudes according to Christ's teachings, loving our neighbors as ourselves. All glory be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ERC June 2023~
Based on a Bible Study guide entitled, Moral Issues Facing the Church; Lessons by Rob Harbison, Lesson 14 - VIOLENCE.
Sing, God is Not Abusive, from Common Hymnal, along with Brittany Spencer.
Lyrics to God is Not Abusive.
References (as best as I can remember):
Understanding How Frustration Leads to Violence
Nine Types of Violence and Abuse
Vandalism Information and Advice
Of course, please review all Bible references given throughout the article.
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