It is disheartening and depressing to see and hear about violence. In fact, the whole population of the world has become numb towards violence. To list a few: Domestic violence at home; Dowry deaths; sadistic ragging in college campuses; murder of sibling, kith and kin; honour killing in several countries in Asia; road rage; bomb explosion in public places; gun shooting in West; riots; lynching black magicians, child kidnappers; custodial deaths; political murders; civil wars; vigilante justice and mob justice; blue whale suicides…etc.
Their feet are swift to shed blood or do evil. (Proverbs 1;16) It is not accidently turning towards evil. Instead, it is rushing to do evil. First, they think, imagine, reason and meditate evil. Second, their Heart filled with hatred, wicked plans, covetousness, and envy; collaborates with wicked thoughts brooding in the mind to activate the limbs for evil deeds. A man draws good or evil from his heart. (Matthew 12:34-37) Third, their limbs are put in action. Their hands are covered with blood, running to shed innocent blood. (Isaiah 59:6-7) People arrogate themselves as judges, to dispense instant justice; and also execute that by indulging in mindless violence.
1) Fear of God: Those who fear God hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13) When fear of God is not taught to people, they become foolish and brutish.
2) Fear of government: People do not fear society or government. The law takes a lot of time like a tortoise to bring criminals to justice. “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
3) Bad company: Solomon advises against bad, mischievous, and evil friends; to hold feet from their paths and not run to do evil with them. (Proverbs 1:15,16)
4) Ponder and examine: “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27) Examining our thoughts and hearts in the light of God is important.
Am I prone to violence?