On October 1st, 2015 nine people were killed in a college shooting in Oregon. The world was once again shocked and terrified that anyone could do something so awful and evil. The President went to a news conference and bemoaned that his repeated announcements (about shootings) were becoming routine. He said that we had become numb… and for once (though I’m sure for completely different reasons) I agreed with him.
About this same time another national tragedy was (and still is) occurring: the historic flooding in South Carolina. Not only have these monstrous rains caused death and destruction, but they have produced an eerie and strange consequence: caskets from graveyards have actually risen up out of the ground. Not only is this stomach turning, but it is also emotionally disturbing.
Strange thing is that by the end of this month most people will have completely forgotten about these things. Not only will they push them out of their minds, they will embrace being the “bad guys” themselves. They will revel in being the very evil and havoc they so greatly despised only weeks earlier. People will go beyond just turning a blind eye to evil, they will jump into the vat of putrescence and enjoy every minute of it.
If you're confused about what I’m talking about—it’s Halloween. Halloween is a day that people desire, not only to party, but to do it in a manner that is purposely demonic. It goes far beyond pretend. No one of good morals, while thinking clearly, would pretend to be a mass murderer like the one in Oregon. That would be below distasteful. Nor should anyone joke about, or pretend to reenact, the chaos in South Carolina (including the graves of the dead). Yet they do… and they will…
Halloween is not a costume party where we dress up as our favorite fictional characters. Though many do “just” dress up as Spider-man, Batman, Ninja Turtles and Frozen snowmen, we all know that the staple characters are the evil ghosts, goblins, skeletons, witches, and (of course) the horror icons (mass murders). Plus, in the past decade there has been a huge spike in the interest of zombies and the world of the dead, too (yet we are disturbed by the graves of South Carolina).
If I may be so blunt: “What is wrong with this world!” How can anyone actually indulge in the concept of murder, rape and torture? And yet hundreds of thousands (if not millions) do it each year. People dress up in blood stained clothes (trying to appear as though they had recently murdered someone). These people dress themselves to resemble the Oregon shooter and therefore exalt him to a position of notoriety and honor. Others will find pleasure in the gore of the dead satanically walking around seeking to do harm to the living, neither giving death nor God any form of respect (not to mention respect for those in South Carolina who are seeing the caskets of their loved ones disturbed).
Some will make excuses, others will mock, still more will say that “you’re just afraid of the scary stuff”. It’s all just a smokescreen so that they can enjoy expressing the evil they keep covered up the rest of the year for fear of getting in trouble over it.
Oh, and by the way, it’s not just on Halloween that people enjoy these despicable acts. They enjoy it every night on their TV’s, computers, and hand held devices. The amount of filth on most “entertainment” programs is so beyond the scope of the imaginable it would break the Richter scale of decency. Whether it’s immorality and seduction or brutality and horror it is all found on our weekly TV shows or YouTube.
Video games and mobile gaming apps also show the true desires of most people in the world by catering to their longing for grotesque violence and utter perversion. No matter how many times they say “it’s just a game” the truth is that they wouldn’t play it if they didn’t like it. Actions speak louder than words.
This heart condition of man is nothing new. In fact, it is the same heart condition that was present in the days of Noah before the flood. Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
And even after the flood when Noah offered God a sacrifice, though God offered a promise He stated that man’s heart hadn’t changed after the flood. The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth…” Genesis 8:21a
When national tragedies happen we often look at who is to blame: the government for not having more regulations, the immediate family for not giving the perpetrator the proper mental care he needed, or even those around the aggressor who might have seen warning signs. But we only have ourselves to thank for the blood stained outcome.
What do we expect in a culture of violence and immorality that has been preached from the schools and colleges across America (not to mention the media and internet). A culture in which there is no right or wrong, just whatever makes you feel good. No scruples, no law, no remorse… just pleasure… however you get it is fine. No consequences, no regrets, no care or love for family and friends (much less God)… just love of self.
Psalm 50 gives a rebuke to those who call on God’s Name for their failure and refusal to obey the Covenant they have entered into with Him. Though this Psalm is specific in its intended recipient, I can’t imagine that it is too far from reality for everyone on earth who doesn’t follow God whole-heartedly.
But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes. Now consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:16–23
The only One Who can save us now is Jesus. And He won’t save us unless we call on His Name for that salvation. That happens when we confess our sins as being evil and admit that it is what our heart longs for. Then, with a contrite heart, we can ask for His forgiveness and cleansing which can only come through His righteous Son Jesus Christ. He will provide His Spirit, Who will direct our paths in life to be holy and righteous… pleasing to Him and not to ourselves, bringing Glory to the Father.
But most will sit and just be numb to it all… until it’s too late.. at which time numbness will be the least thing available…
Written by Caleb Jensen, Director of WORD Center Ministries
