The other participant answered, "Who wouldn't want peace and everlasting life? But CLEARLY, the answer is NO, because violence is inherently human nature. People will always look for an excuse to create war. Imagine a world that has no violence or just peace, it will be really boring for everyone."
Just as he was saying this, his wildly enthusiastic son ran across the living room where we sat - and then he added, "Just look at my son, his favorite toy is a GUN. Just this morning, he created two replica toy guns with wood. He likes playing war video games. Violence is just part of our human nature and you cannot change that. "
Obviously, I am loosely paraphrasing here, but this is basically how the conversation went. He then went on to say, "That's why we don't ban him from playing violent video games, but we just make sure we put it into context, so that he knows violence is bad." Therefore, this cements his ideology that there can NEVER be peace on Earth, because humans are intrinsically incapable of behaving.
It is true, that as imperfect humans (yup that includes you and me unfortunately), we are easily susceptible to outside forces affecting our senses - such as the media, advertising, other people - and in that way, it does create violent tendencies in our heads that sometimes, are very difficult to control. And yes, it is through this that has influenced people all over the world to use violence in the name of religion and to attain more political power and wealth. People has also used violence to fight injustices and oppression, whether right or wrong. Even the superheroes children idolize use violence to capture the mean, ugly enemy. Don't deny it - you've had those violent thoughts toward your neighbor with the loud videoke machine.
In fact, if you load up any news website nowadays, words like "TERRORIST" or "NUCLEAR" or "WAR" come up more frequently than any other words. And in fact, this has been happening ever since the time of Noah long long time ago. Genesis 6:11 says, "But the earth had become ruined in the sight of the true God, and the earth was filled with violence."
But studying God's word, we know that our imperfect nature, including the tendency for violence cannot be removed from us, but we can do one thing that can negate this - and for me, it is to trust in God's purpose. If you know and trust in God's purpose, and follow the course to His righteousness, then everlasting peace is possible. And I don't have any doubt, peace will happen, and it definitely will not be created by any human government, leader or superhero. As stated in:
Psalm 46:9 He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the military wagons with fire.
God lovingly wants us to enjoy life on earth, and obviously that was his very first purpose when He made the first man and woman. In fact, Jeremiah 29:11 says “‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity to give you a future and a hope." A future and a hope. Now doesn't that sound comforting like a warm fire on a cold night. But this doesn't come without conditions. Of course, to be able to get a reward, you must be ready to follow a set of rules, guidelines or advice - and these things help us enjoy our lives while we're here on earth and a hope to enjoy our lives more in the future. And it's all in the Scriptures. By reading and meditating on it as much as you can, we are able to make sure we are included in God's awesome purpose. Our participant earlier said that he allowed his son to play violent games and watch violent movies, and then just tries to put it into context so that his son doesn't become a violent person. On the contrary, the Bible's advice is to stay clear and avoid violent things as much as you can.
Psalms 11:5 says "Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; He hates anyone who loves violence".
If you enjoy watching violent movies and playing violent games, doesn't it mean you love violence? And according to the scripture above, God hates anyone who loves violence. The fact that most of today's media compliments violence with anger, sexual immorality, idolatry and all other bad stuff makes it even worse.
So amazingly, God promises us peace on earth forever and ever, and it's not true that because humans are violent in nature, that there can never be everlasting peace. Well maybe not for this earthly government and current system of things. We can take comfort with the words written by the psalmist, "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."
And while we are living in this current world full of violence, hate and high cholesterol, it gives me comfort to read Philippians 4:6,7 which says, "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." I hope this gives you peace and peace of mind while we wait for ultimate super peace.
What are your thoughts on this?
Clearly, we can read from the Bible that God's original purpose is for man to live a happy life as perfect humans. As He created the first man and woman, he ordered them to fill the earth and subdue it. Make the whole earth a living paradise. But due to Adam and Eve's disobedience, they lost the gift of perfection. It was never his intention to bring forth pain and suffering due to sickness and violence to humans so it is not safe to say that violence will always be a part of us. He will put an end to death altogether.
ReplyDeleteGenesis 1:27, 28
27 And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.+ 28 Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth+ and subdue it,+ and have in subjection+ the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”
“He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:4
Thanks to this blog. It definitely makes sense. :)