The Fear of God

I recently read an article stating that active shootings in public settings, where the primary motive appeared to be mass murder and at least one of the victims was unrelated to the suspect, have tripled in the past few years.   This confirmed my impression that there was not just more coverage of such events, but that there actually has been an increase in the number of such crimes taking place.  

This rise in such incidents has led to cries for more gun control, and the enactment of actual gun control measures in certain jurisdictions.  I am convinced, however, that these measures will not bring an end to such evil outbreaks.  

What is it that motivates someone to commit mass murder? In some cases mental illness may be involved.  But Scripture tells us that there is a more basic problem that causes such crimes to erupt.  Psalm 36:1 says, "concerning the sinfulness of the wicked; There is no fear of God before his eyes." 

The trend has been documented towards more and more unbelief in our culture.  The percentage of people answering "none" to the question of religious preference is on the rise.  And while most unbelievers are fine, upstanding citizens, there is an evil that lurks within everyone of us which must be contained.  It is the fear of God that helps us do this.  Proverbs 16:6 says, "through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil."  Fearing God is the very definition of wisdom and righteousness.  "To fear the LORD is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13).

What is the fear of God?  It consists of three things, awe, dread, and trust.  God has given us the wonders of creation to enable us to stand in awe of His almighty power.  He has given us His law to reveal His righteousness and justice and to make us dread His wrath and punishment.  He has given us the Gospel, the Good News of salvation through Christ's life, death and resurrection to enable us to trust in Him. When these three work together to instill the fear of God in our hearts, we have His power at work to reign in sin and overcome evil.  

Without the fear of God, a person bent on perpetrating violence on others has nothing to restrain him.  He views death as a better end than a lifetime of incarceration, and will not stop the murder until he is stopped, or despairing any hope of redemption, takes his own life.  We need the fear of God!

Trying to eliminate such crimes through gun control will be no more effective than trying to eliminate poverty through welfare.  Just as Jesus told us, "The poor you will always have with you," there will always be wicked men who do not fear God and whose hearts are set on violence.