stop ignoring evil

It's so easy to turn a blind eye to the evil happening in our world. So many of us have been desensitized to it--the news is filled with shocking stories to the point that we turn it off, ignore the terrible things happening. We maybe shake our heads and say a silent prayer, but then we walk away and forget.

We forget the ones whose lives have been so callously taken.

We forget those who have had their entire futures changed.

 We are told that those who perpetrate evil acts are actually just victims of their circumstances.

But then, something happens that makes people wake up and take notice. 

First, it was a heartless, evil, senseless murder of a young woman on public transportation...and though the murder itself was heinous, what was even worse was seeing the apathy of the people around her. It was heartbreaking to see people sit in silence while a young woman lost her life.

Then, it was the cowardly assassination of a young father whose "crime" was speaking up and speaking out in open, peaceful, polite debate with those who disagreed with him.

And now, people are taking notice of the evil in our world.

This is not a political issue. It isn't about minor disagreements of policy. It isn't a matter of everyone wanting the best possible outcome, just having different approaches. It isn't a matter of peaceful protest and respectful debate.

What we are seeing now in our country--and in the world--is a difference in worldview, and that's not something that can be solved politically. We are seeing absolute right and absolute wrong. We are seeing a worldview that sees the dignity and inherent value of human life, of those created in the image of God, up against a worldview that says life has no value. We are seeing the clash between a worldview that says there is Truth and there is everything that opposes that Truth--by definition, lies.

The evil in our world can't be ruled by law. Evil, by its very nature, doesn't care about law. The only thing that can defeat the evil we are seeing is for the men and women of God to stand up and speak. We cannot sit by in silence, turning a blind eye to the terrible things happening. We should still pray, because our communication with the God of the universe is our greatest weapon.

But we can't walk away and forget.

We have to stop backing down, playing along with the "politically correct" mindset that tells us we have no right to stand for our faith in public. We have no real choice but to stand, because to do anything else will mean the downfall of our nation. Those who oppose God and truth are not going to back down. They are not going to "play nice" or try to make space for opposing views.

Evil is real. As followers of Christ, it is our duty to stand up against it. 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.

And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground. Yes, stand—truth banded around your waist, righteousness as your chest plate, and feet protected in preparation to proclaim the good news of peace. Don’t forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed."
(Ephesians 6:10-18)