It is worrisome to see so many young people committing acts of violence. One that still stands out is the two 10-year-olds who abducted, tortured and killed a 2-year-old child in England. Less than two months ago, a 15-year-old boy took some scissors and stabbed a 13-year-old girl on school grounds. Some people seek to murder individuals by pushing them into oncoming trains. Other young people use clubs, firearms, knives, vehicles and explosives, in order to destroy and kill innocent human beings. Moreover, lying and stealing are all interconnected within these heinous acts of murder.
These criminal acts have nothing do with ethnicity or economic status, because people of all backgrounds commit all types of criminal behavior. Basically, a corrupted mind, hardened heart, and selfishness merge together to cause pain and suffering for other people. Lack of work, lack of education, or lack of parental direction is not a valid excuse. Crime is the absolute function of evil desires and deliberate choices to harm others. There is no doubt that a significant moral problem exists in every society on this earth.
Recreational activities such as basketball, baseball, billiards, swimming, and football may provide alternative activities as a deterrent to crime, but those activities alone still do not address the primary issue. Quite often the main influences for many young people comes from where they live or friends who are involved in drugs, crime, and gang activity.
Biblical Christianity stresses that the existence and character of God is the basis of goodness and morality. He is sovereign as Creator and establishes the true standard of morality for His creation. The inspired Word of God is the only source for what is right and wrong or good and evil. In fact, there is no standard of right and wrong outside of God. Why? Because God is the standard of perfection and truth by which everything is measured. So, the moral laws of God do apply to all people because those laws originated from His holy character. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 20:11, “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” The Book of Ecclesiastes 12:1 states, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of evil come…”
So, young people should be encouraged not to steal because God himself commanded it. Stealing has a devasting impact on the community. God forbids lying in another commandment, because lying is a human trait, and it is contrary to His nature as Hebrews 6:18 confirms, “it is impossible for God to lie.” Every person ought to be protected and secured from slander and false accusation based upon that commandment by God. God also has a commandment that forbids murder because it is contrary to His revealed will. Every person should be secure, respected, and treated with dignity and honor.
The Book of Job 28:28 states, “Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” Having the Word of God controlling our hearts is the best way to live in wisdom and avoid evil actions. Honoring God is more important than wealth and personal desires. Biblical Christianity states there is something really wrong within the hearts of every human. Our thoughts and deeds are corrupted by the sin nature. Every person may not act as evil as he/she could be, but each individual has sinned in some way. The ramifications are very serious because our sinful actions violate His righteous standard of morality, and are unacceptable to a holy God.
All sinners need to seek the mercy of God. In chapter 2 of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus demonstrates His prerogative to forgive sins and also confirmed that He is God who alone has that authority. What is the only future hope for sinners in this world? Individuals who believe in Jesus Christ as the only Savior, who provided the required reconciliation for their sins by His substitutionary death, physical burial, and physical resurrection. Then, the future expectation for eternal life with a righteous and holy God is guaranteed forever!
George L. Arroyo