It’s happened again. A madman opened fire on a school and children were killed, injured, and traumatized. This type of thing happens way too often, and must stop. If you listen to the news media, it sounds as if the gun walked into a school and began shooting. Never mind that a person held the gun and pulled the trigger. I’m not trying to make light of this, but the gun isn’t the problem. Throughout history, ways have been found to murder people even before the invention of gunpowder. Murder is never acceptable, nor is it excusable.

According to Collins dictionary, murder is “The deliberate and illegal killing of a person.” It’s God who says that murder is a sin. “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). The word “kill” is from the Hebrew word “rasah,” which means “murder.”

Jesus put it into stronger language than just taking the life of another. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).

Words and actions come from thoughts, and we need to conform our thoughts, words, and actions to God’s ways.

What was the first murder committed? The Sunday school answer is “Cain killed his brother.” Yes, he did, but that wasn’t the first murder. All evil has its beginning with Satan. God specifically told Adam, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

That seems very clear. God gave the command to Adam who was to be sure the commandment was kept. Then, God brought Eve into being. Adam should have obeyed God, but it seems he was more willing to please Eve than to obey God. Eve decided to have a conversation with Satan who manifested in the form of a serpent.

The lies began, and God’s truth was twisted. It started innocent enough, but that just covered up the evil that was to come. The question was whether God said it was good to eat from every tree in the garden. You see how subtle that is? God said “every tree except the tree of knowledge of good and evil,” but Satan took God’s words out of context. Eve spoke up and said all except the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but then she expanded on God’s words and said they weren’t even to touch it. Little changes can cause big trouble. God did say that eating the fruit would bring death, but Satan kept planting doubt. He told Eve that they wouldn’t die, but would be like gods. Eve believed the liar and ate the fruit, then gave it to Adam and he ate.

Murder had taken place. The weapon? Not a gun, but words, lies, and twisting God’s truth. Adam and Eve found out that God’s truth is real and only He can be trusted, while Satan’s lies only bring death. What about today? Can words kill? Let’s look at a few of Satan’s lies that bring death to people.

“It isn’t a baby it’s just a few cells. It’s your body and your choice.” Really? The choice comes before you take part in an activity that creates a baby. I know, I know, rape happens, but most abortions happen because the baby is inconvenient. Words can also be used to convince a young woman she’s too fat and should diet. When anorexia takes over her body, death may soon follow. What about the gang that convinces a young man that he must prove his manhood by killing? That killing might be done with a gun, but words motivated it. Remember that all sin is forgivable if repentance is from the heart. There is no sin so great that God’s love won’t forgive. Jesus died to save us from our sin, and He is our only hope.

So, Adam and Eve were evicted from Eden. They didn’t drop dead immediately after eating the fruit, but death hung over them. In Eden, they were immortal, but their choice brought death to them and the generations that have followed. They could only watch helplessly as their children, grandchildren, and following generations disobeyed God and brought evil upon themselves. God set the example of blood sacrifice when He killed an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. They left the Garden, and then their children were born.

The firstborn was Cain, then his brother Abel was born. They were taught about sacrifices and what God had done to cover sin. Cain and Abel grew, and Cain became a farmer while Abel was a shepherd. One day, both Cain and Abel brought offerings to God. Cain brought fruit which he had grown, while Abel brought the first born from his flock. Cain brought the works of his hands, while Abel brought an offering that was acceptable to God.

Not everything people do in the name of God is acceptable to God. Cain gave an offering that was easy for him but was his own works instead of what God required; he became angry because his offering wasn’t acceptable. Cain thought about the situation, and his anger grew. “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Genesis 4:8). Was the murder done with a rock or did Cain strangle Abel? Maybe he used a sharpened blade of some kind. Whatever he used, it certainly wasn’t a gun.

Murder is evil, but I’m trying to point out that banning guns won’t solve the problem. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Our only hope is Jesus, but Christians have become woke and think that God’s truth should be “updated.” God is banned from schools and government, but Satan is welcomed in with his lies and deception. Instead of speaking out against ungodly laws, we have failed to stand firm upon God’s truth. Demons are real, and drugs can open the way for demon possession. A normal person doesn’t murder. The enemy isn’t people, but the enemy is the same one who lied to Eve and who entered into Judas, causing him to betray Jesus.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). 

We must understand who the enemy is and know that Satan has no rights to those of us who belong to Christ. Satan is powerless when confronted by the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in every Christian. Why is it that Christians seem to hide that power under a bushel rather than letting it shine for all to see?

Jesus is our example. He loved people but would not put up with anyone who mocked God. One day, He had a confrontation with the religious leaders who refused to understand the truth. They called Him names, and Jesus clearly explained the truth to them.

“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:42-44).

Demons are real, but Christians refuse to acknowledge them. Satan is their leader, and he is the father of lies.

If you study the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, it will answer many of the questions about the sin that is engulfing our world today. If you pay attention, you can see that violence, hatred, and sin are increasing. That, of course, is prophetic. Everything is falling into place, and Christians need to hold fast to the promises of Jesus. We need Jesus. This fallen world needs Him, and Christians need to share the Gospel. Parents, take control of your children.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 

Don’t allow the schools to twist truth in the same way that Satan twisted God’s truth to Eve. Set boundaries as to the video games your children play. I’ve seen advertisements for games that are so violent they shouldn’t be allowed. No Christian should even consider playing these games. It’s hard to understand how children who grew up watching Mr. Rogers, Barney (I love you, you love me…), Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and other shows designed to teach children to read and be kind to others, can so easily murder innocent people. Maybe demonic evil is behind it. Instead of banning Jesus, stand upon His truth.

Jesus spoke of “signs” that would happen at the end of time, and all of those signs are manifesting and getting stronger. His first warning was against deception. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4).

If He warned the men who had followed Him closely, shouldn’t we take His warning seriously? Are you filled with pride, thinking you cannot be deceived? Just because Hollywood puts out a movie or television show that looks as if it is Biblical, don’t be deceived. Have they twisted God’s words? What about your 6-year-old who is taught by teachers that evolution, not God, created everything, and she/he can choose to be he/she? Again, I say, study Romans chapter 1. The Ten Commandments are banned from schools, while explicit books are in the library with instructions about deviant sexual practices. It seems only God is banned in schools.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Iniquity is disregard for the law, and that’s what this violence is all about. Crime is out of control in many cities, but when police step in to stop it, there’s public outcry. It seems as if people are demanding the right to kill each other. The love of many is icy cold. Jesus is our only hope.

Brothers and sisters, we must stop allowing Satan to continue his rampage. He was defeated at the cross. Instead of sitting quietly watching friends and family die in their sin, Christians need to share the Gospel; we need to explain to them why sinners need Jesus for salvation.

“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The death spoken of here is eternal damnation; eternal life comes only through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Trust Him and confess your sin to Him. Earnestly ask Him to forgive you, and He will. Jesus is our only hope.

God bless you all

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).