The Spirit of Non-Violence

We express our deepest condolences to those families who lost loved ones during the shooting spree that took place in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016. As a result of this national tragedy, we've heard a lot of comments on keeping Muslims from entering the country, the continued mission to fight the terrorist group ISIS, and the effort to establish federal legislation regarding gun-control. While all of these issues are pertinent regarding the state and welfare of our nation, my disappointment is that there's not a prophetic voice that will rise amongst the clamoring of the media and state a position that is spiritual and, I believe, of God. The spirit behind the Civil Rights Movement and the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was The Spirit of Non-Violence. Nobody is talking about the spirit behind all of these shootings, whether it's terrorist attacks, drive-byes, police brutality or domestic abuse. The issue is not strictly around the possession of guns or one's religious-ideological orientation; the issue is the demonic spirit that's being unleashed in our country that unabashedly and unashamedly is killing innocent lives! It's time that the church speak up and makes a clarion call to this nation for The Spirit of Non-Violence.

The thrust behind Dr. King's advocacy of The Spirit of Non-Violence in the quest and fight for Civil Rights for African-Americans in America was that you don't have to have violence and brutality in the name of fighting for justice. For Dr. King, Non-Violence wasn't simply a "strategic solution" for social change, it was a way of life. This is what needs to be promoted in America. We don't need to be getting "more guns" in people's hands. Nor do we need to be "overly pre-occupied" with getting guns out of people's hands (at least not the wrong people's hands). We need to be focused on the spirit that's driving people with these guns, whether they're alleged terrorists or not. There are more than a few people that aren't on the "no-fly list" that are still murdering innocent people (i.e the Uber driver in Kalamazoo, Michigan).

We as the people of God need to promote a message that says we need to Stop the Violence by embracing The Spirit of Non-Violence. This message isn't just for "the police". This message isn't just for proponents of "radical Islam". This message isn't just for gang members and thieves. This message needs to be circulated throughout the United States of America. Why? Because it's a spirit. The Bible is clear, we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6). Regardless of who's doing the killing: ISIS supporters, unethical  police officers, frustrated, mentally imbalanced citizens; we're dealing with a spirit that is terrorizing our nation. And it doesn't always have to be a "mass killing" or a "white on black" shooting. Violence is Violence, which eventually leads to shootings and death.

May we all pick up the mantle of The Spirit of Non-Violence. Instead of yelling at people, why not relate to them gently and calmly. That's Non-Violence. Instead of holding grudges and carrying around resentment and bitterness in your heart, learn to love and forgive those who have mistreated you and done you wrong. That's Non-Violence. Instead of having a "tit-for-tat" attitude, and feel like you have to get people back and even the score, let the grievance go. Let them have "the upper hand". That's Non-Violence. The aggression, the defensiveness, the retaliation, the abuse; we, even as Christians-even in our churches, need to stop this. In the Name of Jesus, we need to be witnesses to and a proponent for The Spirit of Non-Violence.