We see brokenness every day. People that are saying and doing stupid, rebellious, and perhaps even evil things. What is our reaction to those things? Do we declare them to be evil people? Do we pray God’s wrath on them? Do we shout louder to drown out their voices? Do we shun, or ignore them? We often react out of fear and anger rather than how we should respond.
At this moment, one particular movement in the USA is putting its confused, evil, and rebellious actions and words on display. They can’t be avoided because of the encouragement they are receiving from every sector of society. But this article is broader than just one demonstration of evil. So I won’t name it here. The expressions of evil and rebellion in your world may be different. But, our way forward in Christ is the same.
How the brokenness in others is displayed will vary. The why is always the same. Consider, “For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16, CSB) Why are they doing (fill in the blank)? Because of the envy and selfishness ruling their hearts and minds.
Consider also, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33a, CSB) There is no peace in evil only rebellion, confusion, and disorder. They may say they are striving for peace, but their peace is only granted to those who bow the knee to their gods, idols, ideologies, and desires.
We know this; we’ve lived it. We, too, were once broken (and in many ways, we still are broken). But we have discovered peace in Christ. Jesus said to us, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27, CSB) We could tarry long here to consider the gift of peace we have in Christ.
God doesn’t just grant us His peace to make us feel better. We receive peace so that we can be peacemakers in our world. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, CSB) How? By proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, which reconciles men and women with God. Christ’s peace strikes at the root of envy and selfishness, which produces the evil and rebellious fruit we see in the world.
Whenever and wherever we see rebellion, a lack of civility, shouts raised in anger, disorder, or confusion, it is a glimpse into a broken heart. We should recognize in an instant that God’s peace is not present. We often want to fight back (or run away), but God has given us a more powerful tool – the right and privilege to come to His throne of grace and be heard. “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, CSB)
Pray for God to heal brokenness, first in ourselves and then in the others we see. Pray, “Let your kingdom come, and your will be done” in their lives and heart. Pray, “for our inheritance, give us the lost” (Psalm 2:8). Pray, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing.” We pray these things in the confidence of knowing God hears us. “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, CSB) And that He will answer – “This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14–15, CSB)
Pray and keep praying for the broken. Even more so when their anger, rebellion, and evil are on full display.
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