It’s Been a Week…

Literally. Emotionally. Spiritually.

It’s been a week of heavy headlines as we’ve witnessed evil on display in real time. Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina aren’t the first time we’ve seen pure evil with our very own eyes, and they won’t be the last, but why do they seem more blatant now than in the past?

Just like many of you, I’ve been unable to shake the heaviness I feel, and I’m convinced the weight of the burden is because spiritual warfare is real.

Evil is dark. Truth is light. Darkness leads to death. Light gives way to life. There is a war waging between the two, and it has been won by only one, but the battle is ongoing until our time on earth is done.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

As I have reflected on Charlie Kirk‘s assassination, the responses to it and other recent violent attacks, and where we are politically (nationally and globally), relationally (in our communities and families), and spiritually (in our churches as we preach the Gospel and prepare for eternity), I can’t help but wonder if we are missing something God wants us to see.

So, I’ve been asking Him that question this week, and this is what He has impressed upon my heart…

Evil will have its day, but God has already and will continue to have the final say. Now is not the time to shrink back in fear. Now is the time to rise up in faith. The darkness may be getting darker, but it is no match for the light of Christ! Jesus is the light of the world, and He not only pierces the darkness, He defeated death, and He is not worried about the evil running rampant in the world today, because He will have the final say…

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:26-28, ESV)

We are living in a world so desensitized to evil because it’s so easily consumable all the time and everywhere with every swipe, click, like, or share. It doesn’t matter what the platform, doomscrolling has become the norm.

As a follower of Christ, we are called to draw near and stay close to Him everyday, and yet, in our flesh, we have a tendency to wander astray, to consume the content, to aimlessly scroll until it’s out of control.

If this past week has taught me anything it’s that I must limit my snacking on sound bites of information, and prioritize feasting on the Word of God for true transformation.

Information may feed us some truth, but it definitely dishes some half truths, and most certainly serves a whole lot of lies, and it all leaves us empty and dry. Social media algorithms often lead us to emotionally draining echo chambers that send us down rabbit holes, causing chaos in our souls. When we are bombarded by every opinion and hot take, it can further our confusion, feed our fear, and fuel our frustration.

Transformation by the renewing of our minds as we fix our eyes on Christ is the only thing that will truly satisfy. When our identity is found in Him, our confidence comes from Him, and we can more boldly stand against the enemy as we battle evil from that position of victory. When we do, clarity conquers confusion, faith triumphs over fear, and the fire of the Holy Spirit fuels our passionate pursuit for the righteous things of God.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2, ESV)

This past week has also reminded me how grateful I am that my salvation is not dependent on what I do or don’t do, say or don’t say. Instead, it is sealed and secure by what has already been done and said on my behalf and my complete trust in just that.

Jesus gave His life to give me mine.

He said, “It is finished” to seal it divine.

I want to be so focused on the life giving and life changing truth of God’s Word there’s no way I could be fooled by the deceptive and destructive lies of the world.

Do I live this out perfectly? Absolutely not. Neither do you. Neither did Charlie Kirk, or any other human that has walked the face of this earth.

But that’s not an excuse not to try.

That’s not a reason to give up the fight.

So, yes, it’s been a week, but we don’t have to let it make us weak. We can take what we know to be true (our only offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit, the very Word of God) to defeat what He has identified as lies. We can stand strong in the face of evil knowing our hope is in Christ.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20, ESV)

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:13-20, ESV)