Intoxicating Violence

Proverbs 4: 14-19

Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 

For they eat the bread if wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. 

Violence is intoxicating. I learned this when I researched the genocide that was perpetrated against the two tribes in Rwanda before I went there with a missionary group. The young men who were doing the killing were acting like they were drunk on the violence, and only later, long after the acts, did they realize the destruction their violence wrought. 

I think that virtual violence is also addictive. Violent video games have entrapped so many of our young people. 

O my Father, I pray for those who have been enslaved by the draw of these virtual games, that You would call them out of the darkness of their addiction into the glorious light of Your Love. 

Just like I was addicted to the evil of my weakness when You found me, and showed me that Jesus took my place in death and gave me Your Life. That's when I realized that You loved me that much, and it broke my heart. That's when You released me from those chains and set me free. 

Please, Father, find my loved one and show him Your Love, as You did for me. Lift him out of the morass of twisted thinking that has kept him captive for so long. Draw him to Yourself, Father, so his life will bring You glory, instead of ending in disgrace. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!