Last Tuesday (May 24), we were confronted with evil as we learned about the devastating news of the shooting at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas that took the lives of 19 children and two teachers.
When I first heard of the shooting, I was heartbroken, devastated, and angry.
In a video that went viral on social media, Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr addressed the media with raw emotions of anger at what had happened. Is it okay to be angry when we witness such evil in this world?
The bible says that God hates evil. “His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5).
I do not use the word “hate” lightly, but God hates sin and the bible calls us to hate sin. Psalm 97:10 says, “O you who love the LORD, hate evil!”
It’s okay for us to respond to such evil by grieving and being angry at the evil we experience and witness. However, it is not okay for us to grow numb to the evil in this world because we see it so often. It’s not okay to be okay with sin in our lives and in our world.
The bible teaches us to show grace, forgiveness, and love toward sinners, but it never tells us to love sin or to grow numb to it. Sin is devastating; it’s painful; it’s deadly. Sin needs to stop. We need to eradicate it.
Whenever I’m confronted by the evil of this world, I cling to the truth that, despite the evil we experience today, there is a God who loves us so much that he gave his own life to save us from our sins. He will eventually bring judgement to all evil and usher in a day where sin will be no more, and having been set free from sin, we will be bound by righteousness rather than evil. Take courage.
Our church prayed for the families of the victims and the community of Uvalde during our service last Sunday. I encourage you to take time to pray for them as well.
