November 2006
The News of mass murder
in Amish country this past month, when
a depraved man killed a number of young
girls execution style in a one-room schoolhouse,
filled the air waves with questions of
why and how such violence could have happened,
especially in rural Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania
.
On a radio talk show,
an expert Psychologist, known as "Doctor
Helen", brought up the need for a
better mental health system, a killer's
maternal problems, their obsessive thinking,
anger and revenge, plus the fact that
twenty-four hundred men in the United
States commit suicide each year. She offered
few answers with little hope for success,
when asked how to bring change to man's
problem.
My heart goes out to the
families who are suffering through this
tragedy. Many of us have suffered with them
in deep compassion. The support for the
Amish community has been great, but they
are totally sufficient in God's grace. In
an interview, one Amish man expressed his
love and forgiveness towards the killer,
saying that prayer groups were visiting
the man's wife and children for ministry.
The Amish People
The Amish are members
of the Mennonite community America. They
are Christians who believe they can overcome
the flesh better by isolating themselves
from the modern world. The teenagers are
given the opportunity to leave the community
for a time to experience the worldly lifestyle.
Ninety percent of them choose to return
to their family, the Amish life and their
dedication to God.
The elders of the Amish
community recognize the world, the flesh
and the devil as their enemies. They recognize
that sin entered this world in the Garden
of Eden where God gave man a choice between
the tree of life and the tree of good
and evil.
A small percentage of Amish children choose
the tree of good and evil. They decide to
live by their own wisdom of right and wrong,
and to turn their back on Amish life. They
leave sometimes in fear of failure and with
much anger. Their families know too well
the works of the devil. .
Personal Responsibility
The Bible tells us in Genesis
chapter 3 that Adam blamed the woman, but
Eve blamed the serpent or Satan, neither
taking personal responsibility for their
sin. "The devil made me do it"
is the cry of someone not taking responsibility
for their own actions, but the devil can't
be disregarded either. He is an influential
power behind the world and the flesh of
man. For we are not fighting against people
flesh and blood, but against evil rulers
and authorities of the unseen world, against
those mighty powers of darkness who rule
this world, and against wicked spirits in
the heavenly realms.1
The Amish people do not
have to be convinced that the devil is on
the loose in their county. They spend much
time studying God's Word and greatness.
They know the Scriptures well that say,
"Give all your worries and cares to
God, for He cares about what happens to
you. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from
the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around
like a roaring lion, looking for some victims
to devour. Take a firm stand against him,
and be strong in your faith." 2
The believer has a personal
responsibility to give no place right or
room to the Devil. 3
He loves to lie and deceive your mind. We
war against demonic thoughts that don't
agree with the truth. As you discern thoughts
of pride, fear, unbelief, lust, depression
or conmemnation, cast down imaginations,4
submit to God, resist the devil, 5
and put on the full armor of God. 6
That's something you have to do by faith.
That is, act on what you believe! Turn your
mind to God's Word, saying, "My body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives
in me. I am not my own. I am bought with
Christ's blood, therefore, I glorify God
in my body, and in my spirit, which are
God's." 7
What's Missing
When people keep on sinning,
it shows they belong to the Devil, who has
been sinning since the beginning. But the
Son of God came to destroy these works of
the devil.8 Dean Sherman
with Youth With A Mission, writes: "The
devil only has access to the world through
people's sin and selfishness. Jesus defeated
every demonic power on the cross 2,000 years
ago, but Satan is still active to the exact
degree people allow him to be. Sinners are
not the only ones allowing him to work.
Christians allow him to work when we don't
deal with our wrong attitudes."
What do we hear about the
man who killed these children? He dropped
off his own children for school, before
driving to the Amish schoolhouse. Whether
he was a Christian or not, he had pent-up
anger, becoming dark and agitated during
the past weeks. He was angry with God over
the death of his infant child--9 years earlier.
He expressed guilt for molesting younger
children 20 years earlier, and at the same
time having thoughts and dreams of repeating
it. The police believe he had every intention
of molesting these Amish children, but instead,
he killed the children and himself when
they rushed the schoolhouse. He was a defeated
man.
This man was very confused
in his mind, expressing guilt for his past
sins, but willing to repeat them with vengeance.
He did not know the love and forgiveness
of God. He had a bitter root of unbelief.9
He was solely responsible for his crime,
but irresponsible as a man. Though God had
given him power over sin, self and the devil
through Christ, he rejected it. He gave
demonic thoughts the right to rule his mind.
He was selfish, unforgiving, resentful and
retaliating against God, others and himself
in anger, hatred and violence to a point
of murder, even himself. The media has given
us many facts about this man, but God's
Word tell us this man gave place to the
devil, allowing bitterness, wrath and anger
to his thought life. 10
The Power of Forgiveness
The Amish people will never
allow themselves to become victims, or to
allow their lives to be governed by external
circumstances, people, or events. Victims
show they are powerless over the works of
the Devil. Adam and Eve were the first victims
by eating of the forbidden fruit, and then
continuing in their victimhood by hiding
from God and blame shifting. In contrast,
the victor governs himself by his redemptive
vision from the promises of God, which explains
the power of forgiveness operating in the
Amish people.
The killer of these precious
children became a victim to his hurts
of the past and fears of the future, which
influenced his present state. He never
understood the victory and vision of the
redemptive revelation of Christ. Satan,
the god of this evil world blinds the
minds of those who don't believe, so they
are unable to see the glorious light of
the Good News that is shining upon them.
They don't understand the message we preach
about the glory of Christ, who is the
exact likeness of God. 11
Jesus calls Satan, the
thief, whose purpose is to steal, kill and
destroy. 12 Satan
is the author of victimhood and works in
the lives of those who do not appropriate
Christ's victory, and His vision for their
life in all its fullness. The sin of one
man, Adam, caused death to rule over us,
but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious
gift of righteousness will live in triumph
over sin and death through this one man,
Jesus Christ. 13 His
purpose is an abundant life. He became the
sacrifice [victim] for our sin, so that
we can have victory over death and vision
for life every day.
A Prayer For You
Heavenly Father, I thank
You for giving me the way to freedom from
victimhood through Jesus Christ, My Lord!
The rulers of this world did not understand
the wisdom of Your plan to free us from
sin, self and Satan, otherwise they would
have never crucified the LORD of glory.
14
I come boldly to Your gracious
throne. To receive Your mercy, and Your
grace to help Me during this time of need.
15 Thank You for the
wonderful example of faith that the Amish
people are witnessing during this very painful
and tragic time.
I praise You Father that
I am no longer a victim to Adam's fall in
the Garden of Eden. Thank You Jesus for
taking my place as the victim on the cross
at Calvary, so I can experience freedom
through Your blood. Thank You Holy Spirit
for raising Jesus from the dead, so I can
experience life in its fullness, and victory
over death.
Thank you Father for
reserving a place in heaven for these
dear Amish children.16
Thank You Jesus for going ahead of them
to prepare their mansion.17
Thank you Holy Spirit for comforting their
families as you have comforted me in Jesus
Name. 18 Amen
Scripture References:
1. Eph 6:12
2. 1 Pet. 5:7-9a
3. Eph. 4:2-7
4. 2 cor 10:3-6
5. James 4:7
6. Eph. 6: 10-18
7. 1 Cor: 6:18-20
8. 1 John 3:8
9. Heb:12:15
10. Eph 4:27-32
11. 2 Cor. 4:4
12. John 10:10
13. Rom 5:17
14. 1 Cor 2:8
15. Heb 4:16
16. 2 Cor 5:8
17. John 14:1-4
18. 2 Cor 1:3-7
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