In Matthew 5: 38-39a: Jesus said, “You’ve heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’, but I say unto you, don’t resist evil people.”  In Leviticus 19:18, God said, “Don’t seek revenge, don’t hold a grudge, but love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the LORD.”

Dallas. Orlando. Minnesota. San Bernardino. New Orleans. Paris. Belgium. Evil is breaking out all over.  As Christians, down in our hearts we know we’re supposed to be doing something to help things, but we don’t know how.  On both sides of every dispute, we’re saying it’s about BAD PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE; when it’s really about deep festering wounds to our hearts. We, as Christians, (many of us on opposing sides) are uniquely equipped to do something about this, but we’ve lost sight of what (or who) we’re really fighting.

Ephesians 6:12 says: “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against [BEINGS] without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, …” TLB  We are fighting the devil, Satan, and we can only beat him by using God’s power that He gives us through the Holy Spirit.  In order to stand against the devil, we must use all of the tools God gives us. “13 the strong belt of truth and 14 the [bullet-proof vest] of God’s righteousness 15 the Good News of peace; faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 … the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.  18 Pray all the time…“

We’re not gonna win this war with guns and tear gas; armored cars and snipers on buildings; we’re gonna win by trusting God and doing what He says, which is “don’t resist, turn the other cheek; understand and forgive.”  The confusing part is we keep feeling the grudge and the urge to seek revenge; to pay them back.  It just won’t work.  This is a test to see if we’re willing to be obedient to do what God says;  to surrender ourselves to God in this very situation.