This issue ranges much more widely than just the current events in 2020 America. We can learn from Scripture any time when it speaks to our nature and satanic lies.

And for the record, we all agree that police brutality must end, particularly when a subdued suspect is in police custody. But now what about frenzied and violent mobs that loot and pillage and burn?

We have to go deep into the mental and spiritual worlds.

Here’s the first reason why people turn into violent, frenzied mobs.

1.. Sin nature

I have argued that our sin nature is embedded in our mammal nature. See this post with lots of Scriptures:

Is Our Sin Nature Embedded in Our Mammal Nature?

Here’s a very revealing Scripture from that link, written from the lead apostle of his generation. He speaks of unrighteous people who had known the way of righteousness. But now they are like irrational animals.

But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, ¹³ suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. (2 Peter 2:12-13, ESV)

The key clause is “creatures of instinct.” People without God can become animalistic. The solution is for them to understand that they are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27) and to surrender to the Lordship of Christ Jesus as we see in the next passage.

Peter is not yet finished slamming down the hammer in describing these lost souls.

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ²⁰ For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. (2 Peter 2:18-20, ESV)

People can live in error, which can come from sensual passions or lead back to sensual passions of the flesh. These unrighteous people, who may have known the truth, promise other weak people freedom, but “they themselves are slaves of corruption.” Peter again spells out the solution: escape the defilements of the world through knowing “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2.. Belief in lies

In the previous passage Peter said people can live in error (v. 12). People believe lies about this country–or at least exaggerations and distortions.

Here’s a post about my country and my replies to the lies.

America the Beautiful: Ten Accusations against Her and Replies

Let’s go beyond my country. Here’s another post about the deficiencies and even lies flowing from postmodernism:

Postmodern Roots of Leftist Policies

And here’s a post explaining postmodernism:

What Is Postmodernism?

Another summary of this cultural malfeasance:

The Skeptical Sneering Age

And here are possible solutions that people can apply by using reason:

Three Cures for the Skeptical Sneering Age!

Now let’s return to Scripture and what it says about truth and error.

John the apostle is clear about truth and error.

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6, ESV)

It is so interesting that John says that the way to distinguish truth from errors is to listen to him and his community. If people do, they listen to the truth. If people do not, they are in error. This is one more example of why it is important to listen to the apostolic community documents (the New Testament).

Here’s the third source of people being whipped up into becoming violent, frenzied mobs.

3.. Satan

So who is the source of all lies?

Jesus rebuked his false accusers, when they refused to listen to him:

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44, ESV)

Please be aware that Satan–and by extension humans who have not submitted to God–speak lies out of their own bad character.

The solution:

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵ The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36, ESV)

The solution is to stop practicing sin. How? Let the Son set you free. Always love the truth. Always love Jesus and then you will always walk in the light; he is the light (John 8:12).

James, the Lord’s brother, offers an additional solution:

 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jas. 4:7-8, ESV)

Submit to God first and then resist the devil. Result: he will flee. Also, draw near to God, and cleanse your hands and purify your hearts. As you draw near to God, he will draw near to you and help you cleanse your hands and purify your hearts.

So how does this post help me grow in Christ?

Here’s how you can discern whether your beliefs are good or evil on a pragmatic or behavioral level:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)

The thief here is Satan. If your beliefs lead you to steal, kill, and destroy. then you are on the side of evil. If, however, your beliefs promote life and even abundant life, then you are on the side of Jesus. This is good.

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America the Beautiful: Ten Accusations against Her and Replies

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ARTICLES IN A SERIES

1. The Kingdom of God: Was Jesus a Pacifist?

2. The Gospels: Was Jesus a Pacifist?

3. Were the Early Christians Pacifists?

4. Can Christians Join the Military or Police Force?