Matthew 5 - An Application to Acts of Violence

A writer writes!

The latest instance of violence against innocent people occurred in California over the weekend.  A young man, caught up in what the world views as important, took out his worldly rage against several people, ending their lives.  In this case the young man apparently felt that because gorgeous women did not pay him any attention his life had no value.  Somehow he thought that having sex and pretty women was the sole determinant in whether his life had value.

This young man like so many others today are caught up in man's view of what is important in life. Those are the images presented to us via the media whether it be television, movies, advertisements, video games, etc. Those images often are of  "pretty" people engaged in hedonistic practices of self fulfillment.  The day to day world does not often present the images that God wants us to know about.  The day to day world misdirects us to live a life that often runs contrary to how God wants us to live.

What would have happened if this young man had been exposed to the principles in Matthew 5, specifically the Beatitudes?  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  He would not have felt like he was some type of failure.  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."  He would have understood that his earthly feelings can be overcome if he put his belief in God, not the customs of a world that relies on physical attraction as an important component in life. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."  He would surely have felt important had he applied this principle to his life.  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  Had he been exposed daily to these principles he would not have killed innocent people.

The father of one of those killed spoke passionately about the policies surrounding access to guns. Yes, giving gun access to those with mental problems is a problem.  What the world also needs to understand is that overcoming the world's views and replacing those views with the word of God is something that also needs to be done.  The foundation thoughts of our hearts and minds needs to be changed.  We all need to be educated from birth about God and his plan for us.  Otherwise we are sidetracked.  As in the case of this young man and innocent others, being sidetracked often leads to deadly results.